Kestrel Haven
an Avian Migration Observatory

in the Heart of the Fingerlakes


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.


Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory
John & Sue Gregoire
Field Ornithologists
5373 Fitzgerald Road
Burdett, NY 14818-9626
email: khmo@empacc.net


"Conserve & Create HABITAT"

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Last updated on April 22, 2013
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