Frequently
Asked Questions
Why
Banding?
Through the work of KHMO and part-time, volunteer banding stations
we are learning about where our locally breeding birds spend the
winter, what birds are using the Finger Lakes as a migratory flyway
and stopover, how long birds live, what species are irruptive in
migration, the timing of migration, the bird population of the county
and its biological
health, and other information, such as deformities,
that would otherwise be impossible to gather. Because of the continuity
of daily data over many years, Schuyler County is one of the best
scientifically documented areas and we can track the effects of
environmental change over time. With the information we can make
better management decisions about birds and their conservation as
well as land use policies and our environment. We are the only full-time
station in the state and one of only three in the east.
Where
have birds you banded been recovered?
We've
had several recoveries from nearby areas as well as from great distances.
On the map,
the dot on the Texas/Louisianna border represents an American Robin.
The one near central Florida is an American Goldfinch, while the
one on Long Island was a Yellow Warbler. The birds in the Carolinas
and upper Great Lakes in Ontario, Canada were Juncos. (The dot between
Cayuga and Seneca Lakes is us!) The second map
shows Cape May Point, NJ where we banded raptors in the early 1980s
and some of the recoveries of those birds. As hawks and owls are
larger than songbirds, people tend to be more curious and find them
more easily. It would be nice if everyone would closely check dead
birds to see if they are wearing leg bands - and to report them.
You can do that through the Department of the Interior's USGS
Banding Lab or contact us.
When
do you expect your banding will end for the season?
We try to cover the entire migration from early July through the
end of November. Most of the other stations operate a month or so
full time, then some do weekends and others do all weekends. Usually
our season is weather driven but species also determine our timeframe
as described here. We quit usually when forced by weather but also
when the last migrants have left and our winter flocks of American
Tree sparrows are here. Similarly, we start when our Yellow warblers
prepare to leave; Tree swallows also leave us in early July. We
also cover the spring migration. Again, our operations are driven
by weather but we plan to start by mid-April at the latest and continue
through May. As June is a critical month to our breeding birds,
we do not band.
In
what ways does Schuyler County and the local community benefit from
KHMO?
After hearing of the work of KHMO and reading its reports, many
people come to the area as eco-tourists to enjoy the wonderful natural
bounty of this area. We've provided the county with a biological
data baseline in the form of listings of species of many kinds (herps,
mammals, odonates, fish, etc.) and a town by town review of the
special places which constitute the natural assets of Schuyler County.
The health of the county eco-system is well indicated by the health
of the bird population. Constant monitoring by KHMO gives the county
a conservation biology tool which few others enjoy. Also, we have
already provided much pro bono time to the county and town of Hector
in the writing of their comprehensive plans. Additionally we've
presented several white papers to the legislature and to that groups
environment subcommittee on a number of issues. Over the years we've
done similar professional input to the EMC, and have provided similar
pro bono support to several of the other townships. Also, we are
the pro bono field biologists for the entire Catharine
Valley Trail. Finally, we are the only weather station
of record in the county. Our daily data is essential for the county
to be eligible for any disaster assistance, etc. All in all, the
county has received several hundred thousand dollars worth of professional
pro bono services from KHMO.
What
publications are available regarding KHMO?
We have written several articles for the Catharine
Valley Trail newsletter. Also, several articles were done in
the Watkins Glen Review & Express newspaper, and we also report
to the Chemung
Valley Audubon Society CVBIRDS-Listserve and our own listserve
KHAMOLISTSERVE.
Our listserve is for bird lovers of the NY State Fingerlakes area
and bird lovers worldwide. CVBIRDS
is a listserve for nature lovers in the Chemung Valley area of NY
State. The primary focus of the list is wild birds, their behavior,
actions, sightings, and environment. Other nature topics can be
discussed as well. We primarily publish in North
American Bird Bander, The Kingbird
and other bird journals, as well as, in mass media nature and bird
publications. We have been recognized by the American
Bird Conservancy as an important bird research area and appear
on the map they commissioned from National Geographic. We are also
in several other internet lists/publications and the like. Please
view our publications page.
What
type of financial support do you receive?
It costs us about 4K each year to run this station, and we receive
no financial support, except from in kind support & donations
by the local community. Most of our limited financial support comes
from out of state. If you would like to contribute to KHMO please
see our How You Can Help link.
|