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Bird Watcher News     August 18th, 2022
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Tickets for our Annual Hummingbird Banding Event at Smith-Gilbert Gardens go on sale this Saturday, August 20th.
The event will be held the following Saturday, August 27th. There will be two banding sessions, 8-9:30am and 10-11:30am. Please note that you want to come to the earlier time slot, if possible. That's when we catch the most birds. Log on first thing Saturday morning and click
here to buy tickets--they go quickly!)
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Look closely at the right leg and you'll see a tiny metal band with a unique number. Banding is done with proper state and federal permits and all data is submitted to the
Bird Banding Lab
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We try to give as many kids as possible the chance to release a bird after the process. This is a wonderful, educational event for the whole family.
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Monteen with Hawk Talk, a rehab for birds of prey, will also be at Smith-Gilbert on 8/27 with Fiona, her educational ambassador. You can hold her for a $10 Mouse money donation!
Hi, BirdWatchers!
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What do you do when you have a ton of work (including this newsletter,) but a friend posts that they have a rare bird in their yard? Only the fifth recorded in Georgia, and one you've never seen? Well, sensible you says I can't possibly go, I have way too much to do today. But then you think about it, and bird watcher you grabs her camera and binoculars and jumps in the car. I was so very fortunate to see this beautiful Bell's Vireo the minute I arrived. Some birders had been waiting hours. The first three photos were taken by Richard Hall, who originally found the bird in his Athens backyard. Pic 3 shows the Bell's Vireo with a much more common White-eyed Vireo. The last is my only half decent shot ;). Discover more birds in our area, or anywhere in the world, and share your sightings on eBird. It's a great tool for all bird watchers!
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Richard's yard is an amazing example of how much a small space can help birds, butterflies, bees and other creatures. He lives less than a block away from restaurants, bars and shops in the busy Five Points District. Certified as a wildlife habitat by Oconee Rivers Audubon Society, he's eliminated the lawn and planted tons of native flowers, trees and shrubs, and added a moving water feature. He's attracted 152 bird species over the years including several rare ones! Fall migration is just getting going. September and October will be even better. Keep an eye out for migrants in your yard.
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Kennesaw * Roswell * Buford * Marietta * Canton