Passerine Migration Study - Spring and Fall

This is a long term study that began in 1998 where the goal is to monitor the population status of neotropical migrants passing through our area. We also hope to better understand how these migratory birds are using the study areas for food during migration. Currently, this study is being conducted at Gilmore Ponds in Fairfield, Ohio.

Constant effort mist netting and point counts are conducted at each site to document the spatial and temporal use of the habitats by different birds. Data has been used to encourage land management at Gilmore Ponds.

We can also determine from the long-term data the timing of each species which is a helpful tool for the public in improving their opportunities to view certain preferred species.

M.A.P.S. (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship)

This study is a national program that HBRC banders have participated in since 1993 when the project was still in its infancy. It was developed by the Institute of Bird Populations in Point Reyes, California. Other sites have been added around the state of Ohio by HBRC banders. 

The project’s objective is to document regional tendencies in productivity and survivorship. An important part of understanding population trends is determining reproduction success for target species.  Utilizing the methodology developed by the Institute of Bird Populations, constant effort mist netting allows for comparison from site to site and year to year. Banding operations are conducted once each ten day period during June through early August which is the breeding season. Study sites are manned by trained volunteers.

Bluebird Nestling Study

This study is another long-term study in which we are attempting to monitor the longevity and productivity of the species and to monitor how weather affects the bluebird population and how well they species compensates for drops in its population. Banding nestlings is the primary means to determine productivity. Constant monitoring of over 300 Bluebird boxes provides data on survivorship/success rate of nestlings.

Kestrel/Screech Owl/

Purple Martin Banding

We hope to monitor movement to and from and/or between colonies. Where do they go? How far? Is there intercolonial movement? And, how does this data compare with studies completed in Northeastern Ohio?

Winter Feeder Avian Ecology Study

Nov 15 - through March 15. This study will monitor diversity of species, timelines of winter birds and migratory birds wintering over, how the winter bird population and diversity changes from winter to winter, how snowfall, temperature and weather conditions effects the changes, and do the weights of birds change from winter to winter related to weather data. 

Banding will occur on days with snow cover and temperatures below freezing. Point counts will be conducted each morning to monitor all species encountered at the feeder area. Three finch feeders with Thistle Seed, four bird feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, one 2' x 4' covered platform with bird seed mix and black oil sunflower seed, and seed will be distributed on a deck which the feeders surround.

Hummingbird Studies -  Follow this link to the hummingbird study page for more details

- Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration patterns and timelines

- Western Hummingbird Migration timelines, patterns, frequency in the eastern U.S.

- Phenology of Ruby-throated Hummingbird Female gorget coloration during Breeding Season. Possible comparative study with research already completed on the Black-chinned Hummingbird.

- Determination of flowers which Ruby-throated Hummingbirds drink from and determination of Phenology of Hummingbird Preferred vegetation.