Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2000 01:00:53 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Steve Huy Subject: Lamb's Knoll Owl Banding MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The owl banding operation at Lamb's Knoll (border of Frederick and Washin gton counties - only 15 minutes from Frederick, MD) will begin about October 1 of this year. Captures are not expected for the first week or two, but the peak of the migration usually falls at the end of October and the beginning of November. Conditions for good owl migration are similar to those for diurnal raptor s; following the passage of a cold front with the exception of dark, clear s kies after the wind has abated. Light Northerly winds are generally best but any clear cold night with light to no wind may be good. Last season netted 429 Sawwhets and three Screech owls, including nine recoveries from other banding operations. While the migration cycle was scheduled to have an "up" year we did not expect the invasion. Early rep orts of captures via the Project Owlnet LISTSERV warned us of the early, heavy migration. Project Owlnet is an organization of owl migration researcher s that cover much of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, inland to WV , the Great Lakes region and parts of Canada. We are expanding south and westward (Idaho and the addition of Calgary and New Mexico this season!) and hope to gain some insight into the movements of these diminutive owls. This year is expected to be low in numbers, but who knows what may happen ? Visitors are welcome, however arrangements must be made in advance. Park ing is extremely limited and due to the nature of banding, large groups (larg e may vary depending on type of group) are not encouraged. Weather is alwa ys a factor so flexibility should be considered when making any plans, check weather patterns and schedule alternate dates for visits if the weather d oes not work out. I recommend small informal groups that can give me a few nights notice to ensure I can be available for them. This would make a g reat follow up to an afternoon of Hawkwatching at nearby Washington Monument S tate park. Interpretive programs about owls and migration may also be a possibility. Even with no owls the mountain top is a good place to listen to the sound s of the night. A short walk takes you to an overlook of the South Mountain ridgeline as it disappears into Virginia. Woodcock, grouse and migrating thrushes, geese and swans can often be heard. VOLUNTEERS - Anyone interested in volunteering please contact me. I do m y best to make this a dusk to dawn operation, but it is difficult as this i s not my profession. I lose valuable netting time due to my paying job. Dedicated volunteers interested in learning about bird banding are needed. I have recently received permission from the State Forest and Park Servic e to place a "port-a-john" at my site. If anyone can make a donation of said item from October 1 through December 15 or later it would make great strides toward the comfort of banders and visitors. (I can only assume that some Johnny-on-the-Spot employee or owner is an avid bird watcher) A small bunk-bed would also be appreciated. I am looking for the type used by ca mps (and I believe the military) as my building is small. Project Owlnet will soon have a website which will be announced on this l ist as well as other ornithological listservs. Please contact me personally with any replies or questions. Steve Huy Project Owlnet Middletown, MD Home: 301-371-4470 Gabboon@aol.com Work: 301-380-4450 Steve.Huy@Marriott.com ======================================================================== To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================== ==========================================================================