
Wildlife Festival - June 5GBT had a great time at the Wildlife Festival at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park! We loved getting to meet so many wildlife enthusiasts, especially tons of kids who love animals, as well as seeing our friends at Silent Wings Raptor Rehab, Capital Region PRISM invasive species management, and our wonderful assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.
PC: Samantha Carouso Peck
PC: Samantha Carouso Peck

Bird Banding Demonstration at Cambridge Community Forest - Aug 13Sixteen birds were surprised to find themselves hanging upside down (briefly) in specialized "mist nets" set up in the Cambridge Community Forest in Cambridge, New York, on August 13. Neil Gifford, Conservation Director at the Albany Pine Bush, gently removed the birds from the nets. Then, as 30 rapt guests of the Grassland Bird Trust watched, Neil and his assistant placed tiny metal identification bands on the birds' legs to identify each bird so that the birds' travels can be traced if they are found again. The data collected about each bird, including its sex, weight, age, and molt status, are sent to a national database maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey The birds, including several tufted titmice, some chickadees, and a couple of eastern phoebes, were then released back into the wild, to the mutual delight of the birds and the attendees. While these were not grassland birds, the Grassland Bird Trust hosts several events each year to engage bird enthusiasts of all types.
Picture credit: Kathy Roome
Picture credit: Kathy Roome

Bird Banding Demonstration at Cambridge Community Forest - Aug 13Bursting buds and warmer temperatures bring tropics birds north to take advantage of insect abundance. Several GBT members joined Neil Gifford, a NYS and USGS licensed Bird Bander, at the Cambridge Community Forest on August 13 for a bird banding and mist netting demonstration.
Picture credit: Clifford Oliver
Picture credit: Clifford Oliver

Bird Banding Demonstration at Cambridge Community Forest - Aug 13Neil Gifford leads us in safely capturing and banding birds at the Cambridge Community Forest. It's an exceptional opportunity to learn about birds and what they can tell us about the health of our environment!
Picture credit: Clifford Oliver
Picture credit: Clifford Oliver

Battenkill Runs Through It FestivalGBT joined in at the 'Battenkill Runs Through It' Festival in Greenwich, an annual celebration of the river and the beautiful environment it defines. Alongside great music, food, and kayaking, the GBT Board was there with our incredible volunteers Elizabeth Nichols and Ron Renoni, with natural treasures and curiosities that drew in kids and adults alike to learn about New York wildlife. An amazing, beautiful day - we loved seeing you all!
Picture Credit: Battenkill Conservancy
Picture Credit: Battenkill Conservancy