Two osprey chicks nesting at the Belwood Conservation Area were banded on June 26, nearly a month after they hatched.
David Lamble, master bird bander, brought the two chicks down from the nest to band them, giving the public an opportunity to view and hold them. Lamble explained banding is an important process for research.
“It is really important to see how they disperse because we really don’t know a lot about bird movement and we don’t know how long birds live,” he said.
Two bands were placed on the opsreys’ legs. A small metal band, provided by the Canadian Wildlife Service and United States Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory, is for research and monitoring of the birds. The other coloured band is Lamble’s project.
“The blue band allows people with binoculars to identify the bird, because the number is unique,” said Lamble. “I don’t have to have the bird in my hand in order to see him.”
The chicks have been banded with the numbers 41B and 42B.
“All the information we have been able to get on osprey before is when they are found dead and we read the band after,” Lamble explained.
“This way, hopefully it’s going to live for 20 years, (and) be able to be seen over and over again. We’ll get an idea of longevity and where they go and how they’re doing overall.“
Lamble and Grand River Conservation Authority staff were unable to identify the sex of the birds during the banding. Lamble noted with osprey, it can be tricky. He explained both sexes share duties and there is only a slight colour difference between them, so it is easy to make a mistake.
Lamble said he has banded over 200,000 birds since 1979.
He expects the osprey chicks, hatched on May 29 and June 4 at the nest along Wellington Road 18 near Belwood Lake, to start flying in late July.
