12/13/07
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Welcome Bird Banding Station
by Donata Glassmeyer

DELHI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – Sisters of Charity living at the Delhi Township Motherhouse are enjoying a steady flow of migrating birds stopping at numerous bird feeder stations in a quiet courtyard on their grounds this winter.

Dr. Jill Russell, biology professor at the College of Mount St. Joseph, initiated the Clifford Bird Observatory at the Motherhouse. The observatory is named for Sister Adele Clifford, former president of the College and a biologist. Under the auspices of the Avian Research and Education Institute (AREI), a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of birds, their mission is to enhance avian populations through research, education and advocacy. Two other biological stations that provide bird banding and environmental education are located at Hueston Woods Biological Station and the Miami University Bird Observatory.

Dr. Russell explains, “An extensive feeder array was donated to the Motherhouse by Wildbirds Unlimited. Now we are seeing Carolina Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Goldfinches, Juncos, Tufted Titmice, Cardinals and even Downy Woodpeckers. The Sisters in the Motherhouse keep an observation log of the species seen each day. We will band the birds at the feeders in the courtyard every week beginning January 1. Our goal is to create a bird banding group at the Motherhouse and at the College of Mount St. Joseph where we can conduct environmental education programs and train volunteers in bird banding techniques. During peak migration months we will move our nets to the hillside overlooking the Ohio river and try to band neotropical migrants as they cross the river. The Mount has an ideal location for bird banding and bird watching, so we anticipate a very busy Spring!”

Dr. Russell is a federally licensed bird bander working with trained volunteers. “The whole process of collecting data for each captured bird takes less than a minute, after which the bird is released unharmed,” she said.

Mount St. Joseph college students will work with Dr. Russell to help educate Sisters at the Motherhouse, people in the community as well as school groups about our feathered friends who live here year round or who are just stopping for food and rest on their way north or south. Visit www.avianinstitute.org to learn more about this project.

 

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