Don's Jersey Birding: Meadowlands Bird Banding Project


Mike Newhouse prepares to band a Palm Warbler at Harrier Meadow.
Photo courtesy of Marie Longo

by Don Torino
                       
It’s an early misty morning at Harrier Meadow.  Mike Newhouse, Natural Resources Field Specialist for the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, reaches into a small white bag.  No, not for a bagel and coffee, but for an American Kestrel.

For the past four seasons, Mike and his team of volunteers have been conducting a study of grassland birds on the Erie Landfill and the nearby restored Harrier Meadow.


Mike bands an American Kestrel at Harrier Meadow.
Photo courtesy of Jim Wright

“The data that has been collected is invaluable as we are learning which micro habitats on capped landfills birds prefer during spring and fall migrations,” said Mike.  “The recapture data that has been collected thus far is also very important not only to the Meadowlands Commission, but to other conservation organizations and government agencies.  The study site is located just 5 miles west of New York City.  There are very few long-term studies that focus on migrating grassland bird populations in New Jersey.  This urban environment can be extremely important as a stopover site for many songbirds. The recapture data that we have collected proves just that.”  

Mike and his team have banded well over 2,500 Savannah Sparrows, which are listed as a threatened species here in New Jersey.  Mike said that was one of the most surprising things to him was not only how many Savannah Sparrows used the landfill for migration, but other hard to find birds, including the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Gray Cheeked Thrush, and Acadian Flycatcher.  During one of our recent field trips to Harrier Meadow, Mike captured and banded a Yellow-breasted Chat and an American Kestrel.  They are amazing birds to see close up.

Mike displays a Catbird, just banded and ready for release.
 Photo courtesy of Marie Longo

“The Meadowlands is unique and can attract so many species of birds because of the diversity of habitat that can be found,” said Mike.  “Songbirds are attracted to the different habitats on the landfill, which offer several seed producing grasses and wildflowers, such as the common sunflower.  The plants not only produce seed for birds such as Song Sparrows and Indigo Buntings, but can also attract insects for insectivorous species, such as Palm Warblers and American Redstarts.  There are also some large patches of cottonwood and black locust trees which can attract some forest species such as Ovenbirds and Swainson’s Thrush.”

As important as Mike and the Meadowlands Commission’s work has been, they have always made education an important part of the project.  The Meadowlands Commission has been collaborating with Ramapo University.  Students from their environmental science program have been interning with Mike and the Commission to fulfill requirements for the co-op program.  These students are gaining valuable experience in the field working with scientists.   


A young lady prepares to release a banded American Kestrel.
Photo courtesy of Marie Longo

Close to my heart is how generous Mike and the Meadowlands Commission have been in taking the time to teach and educate everyone who is lucky enough to attend one of our field trips to witness Mike’s banding station first hand.  To be able to watch a kid’s face when they are lucky enough to release a Catbird or Savannah Sparrow is magical.

Mike and his volunteers have proven how important the Meadowlands is to many threatened bird species.
Photo courtesy of Jim Wright

The bird banding study has proven how critical the Meadowlands are to many threatened bird species here in New Jersey.  Thanks to Mike Newhouse, his volunteers, and the Meadowlands Commission, we now have the evidence to back up what we knew in our hearts for many years; the New Jersey Meadowlands is an incredible place, and like a special gift it needs to be cherished.

Click here for more information on the Bird Banding Study in the Meadowlands.
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Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 10/18/2011 10:00 AM
Categories: Don's Jersey Birding
Tags: Meadowlands Commission catbird savannah sparrow indigo bunting american kestrel
 

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