Radio Tagging Barn Swallows at SpruceHaven

09 August 2019

The goals of science may be noble, but there's no avoiding the fact that the practice of field biology can be terribly impolite to its subjects.

Thor Hansen

     It was with a good deal of pleasure that several interested biologists and others gathered to observe our annual radio tagging of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) at SpruceHaven. 

     This year we were fortunate to be joined by several of Dave and Sandy's cousins from various parts of the continent, and by my daughter, Caroline, visiting from Ottawa.

     As is our normal practice we strung a mist net in the barn, and in no time at all we had trapped our first birds.

     We were delighted to enjoy the company of Julia Shonfield, who was a great help in retrieving birds from the net.

     Perhaps it is accurate to say that Sandy was left holding the bag!

     We received exceptional help this year from Megan Hiebert from Bird Studies Canada, who did the lion's share of the work in processing the birds.

       She was at once proficient, quick and extremely adept at attaching the equipment to the birds. Furthermore she was as agreeable and pleasant as one might wish for. I certainly hope that Megan will consider SpruceHaven a haven indeed and visit us often. I cannot overstate her contribution to a successful day.

     

     The tags are always checked to make sure they are functional before attaching them to a bird.

     Greg Mitchell, the scientist from Environment Canada who spearheads this  research programme, was as always, a consummate professional, always concerned for the welfare of the birds and working with precision, care and delicacy.

     

     If only these birds could know the contribution they will make to the ongoing survival of their species they would surely endure their indignity a little more willingly. 

     There was not a person present, from veteran swallow biologist or bander, to those seeing the bird up close for the first time, who was not taken by the beauty of the bird.

     Dave was attentive as Megan explained some of the finer points of her actions to him.

     Technology advances apace and improvements in the life of the tracking devices and their miniaturization are a constant. Megan introduced us to a new device called a Life Tag, which is permanently attached to the bird, and has its own solar panel to generate energy. It requires two sets of hands to attach this one.

     Would you say that Megan, Lorraine and Heather look pleased with the morning's activity?

     Caroline was anxious to observe and absorb as much as possible and stuck close to Greg to benefit from his expertise.

     Except when she was with Lorraine, that is!

     Lee Fraser was happy to release a bird and seems to be a supplicant to favourable winds and good foraging to speed the birds on their way to their winter quarters in South America.

     As always, it was a very agreeable day, in many respects the culmination of our year's work with the swallows and we appreciate the contribution that everyone made to its success.
     We will look forward to receiving news of our swallows as they embark on their hazardous journey, and hope that we will welcome them back again next spring.

Radio Tagging Barn Swallows (Hirondelles rustiques) at SpruceHaven and Blaze Farm

31 July 2018

     The highlight of our Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) year is when we get to attach radio tags to some of our birds so that we are able track them when they leave the barns where they have spent the summer and follow them as they move around. In this way we can learn about foraging practices, the area of dispersal within the province and the migratory path of the swallows into Central and South America, where they will spend the austral summer.

     As always, we are deeply indebted to Dave Westfall, for facilitating this operation; indeed for all he does in the service of conservation and wildlife protection. It is an ongoing pleasure to be associated with Dave, and his sister, Sandy, and brother-in-law, Jamie, who provide support and encouragement in so many ways.

     Heather, dedicated as always, had taken a day off work to help us, and we were very happy to see her arrive.

     This baby Barn Swallow, still in the nest (but about to leave), looked down on the activity below with less than keen interest.

     Greg Mitchell, Research Scientist, Environment and Climate Change Canada, came to SpruceHaven for the second year in a row to attach the tags, and it was a distinct pleasure to see him again. I know that Dave, Heather and I all looked forward to his arrival. 

     This year we had the added delight of having Mike Cadman, Songbird Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Service, come along to help. Mike is principally known for his work on the last two Ontario Breeding Bird Atlases and has a long and fruitful relationship with the Ontario ornithological community. 

     Our conversations that day were all about birds in one way or another, with discussions of latest research trends, Greg's work with Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), and other avian topics. I can't think of a better way to spend the day!

     Before the tags can be attached the birds obviously have to be caught. Here is Greg, ably assisted by Judy Wyatt, setting up a mist net in the barn at SpruceHaven.

     We were tagging twenty birds in total, ten at each farm, and it did not take long to trap the birds at SpruceHaven. 

     Greg quickly got busy in order to process the birds as speedily as possible while Heather recorded all the pertinent data.

    Greg had carefully checked his equipment and activated the tags.

     In addition to attaching the radio tags, any bird not already banded is fitted with a standard leg band. Greg has a bird in the hand ready to be processed.

     Among other measurements we check for fat.

     We measure the tail length (instructive in determining sex).

     Each bird is weighed.

     And, with delicacy, finesse and precision, Greg quickly attaches the radio tag.

     The bird is now ready to venture forth and provide us with all manner of information that should help us to protect the species.

     Judy had brought her friend, Janet Bryson, to observe our operation and Greg entrusted her with the release of one of the birds.

     Never having had this kind of contact with a wild creature, Janet was thrilled to be afforded the opportunity.

     Even more thrilled perhaps was Janet's grandson, Aidan, visiting from Vancouver, who was keen to observe, help and learn.

     This fine young man had an experience that he will not soon forget and one that was doubtless not enjoyed by any of his friends and classmates. He will have bragging rights about summer activity when he gets back home.
     Heather and I had a couple of nests to band and we squeezed these in when our activity did not interfere with Greg's.

     At the Blaze Farm the whole process was repeated, but first of all we had to make sure that the two horses stayed outside the barn for about fifteen minutes so that they did not walk into our net and destroy it.

     I think that they were mildly indignant that they were not permitted to come inside and receive their due share of affection and attention!
     As anyone can plainly see Mike was holding up his end!

     Heather was kept busy extracting swallows from the net, a task that she performs with admirable skill and speed.

     Aidan was anxious to help and not just be a supernumerary and he took the bagged birds back to Greg and Mike for processing.

     At the end of it all Greg commented to Mike that he was very happy with the entire operation and the speed with which everything had been accomplished. Heather and I have proprietary feelings about these swallows and it gave us a great sense of satisfaction to see this operation completed.
     We were a happy quartet!

Greg, Mike, David, Heather

     Same time next year everyone!

Note of appreciation: As she so often does, Miriam took all the photographs when I am occupied with other things and unable to do it (and she does a better job anyway). Without her efforts we would not have this fine photographic record of the day. Thank you Miriam!