Summer Bird Banding at Henke Acres

Summer is on the way and with it come birds. For the past 14 years, Beaver Creek Bird Banders have been spent the summer at Henke Acres participating in the MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) project. The MAPS project is a collaborative effort among bird banders assisting in avian conservation. Since 1989, more than 1,200 MAPS stations have spread throughout the United States and Canada to capture, collect information, and band more than 2 million birds. The MAPS project focuses on breeding birds, including in this area, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Song Sparrows. Join the Beaver Creek banders for an exciting morning of hiking trails, banding birds, and enjoying the sights and sounds of Henke Acres. The research station is remote and trails are moderately rugged. There is no shelter and no restroom, but plenty of mosquitos and ticks. Come prepared, bring water, snacks, camera, sturdy shoes or rubber boots, and appropriate clothing to be outside. A bander will meet visitors at the gate at 9:00 am and drive visitors to the research site. Banding days are weather dependent, rain and wind will cancel a banding day. Registration and full payment for July 2 session required by June 30. Registration and full payment for July 31 session required by July 28.