I heard back from HWI already.
Yesterday when I posted this photo of a banded male American Kestrel to my blog I told readers that I suspected he’d been banded by HawkWatch International so I’d be sending the photo to Nikki Wayment, Executive Director of HWI. I also said that I’d report back to my readers if and when I heard anything.
I chose to send it to Nikki instead of to the Bird Banding Lab because I was pretty sure HWI had banded the kestrel and because Nikki is a good friend that I hadn’t seen for two years because of the pandemic (HWI is located here in Salt Lake City.). I’d missed interacting with her.
The photo is sharp and detailed so assuming it was one of their birds I had hopes that they’d be able to read enough of the alphanumeric colored band to ID the bird individually, which is exactly the kind of feedback they need for their ongoing and long term American Kestrel Study. I also told her that I’d photographed the kestrel on Antelope Island on the morning of 2/7/2022.
In this version of the photo the E/9 part of the colored band is easy to read but I was afraid that wouldn’t be enough for them to ID the bird with confidence so…
I cropped in on the high resolution version of the image for more detail and sent this version to her also. That made all the difference. Nikki responded yesterday afternoon, the same day I sent her the photos.
“Hey Ron,
I miss seeing you too! Hope you are doing well. That is indeed one of our banded birds, Red (E/95), banded as an adult 3/30/2021 at the parking lot at the mouth of the causeway on the mainland side.
Would you be willing to let Dave and Jesse use these photos for training? And, can you provide a more specific location on the island where you saw the bird?
Hope to see you soon,
Nikki”
I love getting feedback like that when I send banding information to the groups or institutions that banded one of “my” birds. “Dave” is Dave Oleyar, Director of Long-term Monitoring and Community Service and “Jesse” is Jesse Watson, Research Biologist and Banding Coordinator, so of course I gave them permission to use my photos for training purposes. Those guys know what they’re doing and passing their knowledge and skills onto others is exactly the kind of thing I like to see.
I also told Nikki precisely where on the island I photographed the kestrel.
This map shows the north end of the island, the causeway and where the causeway connects to the mainland. The red arrow marks where I photographed the kestrel on the island and the blue arrow marks the spot where HWI banded him 11 months earlier. For spatial perspective, the causeway is seven miles long.
To be perfectly honest I have strongly mixed feelings about at least some bird banding (that’s another story, one for another day) but when the banding is done by well trained individuals for a well designed study with specific purposes that are followed through long term, I’m an enthusiastic supporter.
I have high confidence in HWI’s American Kestrel Study and there’s no doubt that American Kestrel populations are declining so for management purposes we need to learn everything about them we possibly can.
Ron
Note: I spend so much time talking about Antelope Island and its environs I thought this would be a good time to provide readers with some more perspective.
The “island” as it’s presently defined is 15 miles long and 5 miles wide at its widest point. It consists of 27,000 acres or 42 square miles.
But this map isn’t current and the island is no longer an island. Because of climate change, our current drought and most importantly the insane mismanagement of water resources (especially the Bear River), the lake is shrinking dramatically and there’s almost no water in Farmington Bay today. In most places you could literally walk from the island, across Farmington Bay to the mainland, without getting your feet wet.
A healthy and vibrant Great Salt Lake covers about 1700 square miles but today it’s been reduced to only 900 square miles and its decline is continuing. The only place where there’s any water next to the 7 mile long causeway today is about the last 1/4 – 1/2 mile before you get to the island. The Antelope Island Marina is bone dry. You couldn’t float a toothpick there.
It’s disgusting. And scary as hell.
That is one incredible hi-res closeup! I’m glad that he’s one of HWI’s birds. The water “management” that’s happening? Not so much. 🙁
Thanks, Marty.
Good thing only two numerals after that letter or HWI might have been stumped even with that great close-up! I hope Gray (L/1) is correct in surmising that our handsome kestrel hasn’t traveled far because the habitat is sufficient for his needs. Or, possibly he’s been around the West and back again, and how would we know without that GPS backpack some raptors carry? 🤔
Chris, I suspect Gray (L/1) is correct about the kestrel hanging around the area for that long. Parts of the causeway itself is pretty good hunting habitat for kestrels and much of the island is even better.
I’ll be glad to go back to calling Lyle by his real name. His new one really slows down my typing…
Ditto! 😂
Ron,
Sad about the water, etc. I share your emotions.
Stephen
I’ll bet you do. Thanks, Stephen.
I’ve enjoyed this post immensely! What a beautiful male Red (E/95) is and you captured with such precision! Thank you Ron 🙂
Good. Thanks, Julia.
On the bright side, the fact that you were able to zoom in on the bands with such good resolution is impressive. And, the fact that Red (E/95) [(such a great name; call me Gray (L/1)], is still in the same area almost a year after banding must mean the habitat is suitable for him.
I beat you, it’s 26º here. Judy, not so much.
Gray (L/1), I WAS happy to get that image so sharp. With all the trouble I’ve been having getting sharp photos in cold temps it was nice to know that keeping my pickup cold inside was helping.
Thank you for the image of the kestrel and the maps. It does help us understand where you are. Would you please explain the reservations you have about banding birds? (Long ago I “adopted” a sharp-shinned hawk at Hawk Ridge in Duluth that was then released.)
Elizabeth
“Would you please explain the reservations you have about banding birds?”
Elizabeth, I’ve been putting that discussion off because it’s likely to get heated. There are strong points to be made, and even stronger opinions, on both sides.
Hopefully sometime soon but no promises…
Glad you got your ID info but likewise scared for all plants and animals, birds, fish, insects and water creatures to hear about such a large scale change in water area.
Granny Pat, what’s happening to the lake is terrifying, especially when you live so close to it.
What a shame about the lake Ron. I remember many years back flying into SLC in the winter and just as we were almost landing we had a huge surge and took off and had to circle around again for another try. The pilot informed us that a private plane somehow unnoticed had been in his landing pattern. Lots of fun.
Here in Prescott our volunteers with the help of Fish & Game band a few of the chicks every year.
I have twice reported tagged American White Pelicans from Utah and Idaho and have received thanks and even a certificate from them thanking me for my report.
As always so much more to FP than amazing photos. Thanks once again for the education.
Thank you, Everett. Good for you for reporting the banded pelicans. The more feedback “they” get from banded birds the better.
It’s terrifying to think we are losing the GSL. There is just so much wrong in our world. A dear friend was shot and killed in Portland while at a peaceful protest this past Saturday. We are losing species at an alarming rate. I am so very tired right now.
I’m so very sorry about your friend, Arwen.
Neat! It looked like maybe a 5 to me. Glad she/they could pull it, give you the history. and you allowing them to use the photos for educational purposes.
The disappearing water IS frustrating and sad since much in human caused and not likely to improve with the constant growth…… 😉
-8 before windchill this morning and there IS windchill.
Yes, it’s a 5 Judy. That was enough for HWI to tell it’s “Red E/95” and to ID the bird individually.
Brrrr! 27° here and we had a skiff of snow in the last hour but skies are mostly clear at the moment.