Dr. P had an opportunity to work with biologists from the Little Traverse Bay Band of the Odawa Indians. They helped a group of dedicated researchers from the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan. These birds are not just a research project to these biologists, and they showed it by the gentle and professional manner in which they caught and banded several chicks and one adult.
Our destination is a small island where the plovers nest
It was a 2 hour boat ride to get to the isolated island out in one of the Great Lakes
This sign greets you upon arrival at the island
As soon as we land the search begins
It takes a coordinated effort to find and catch the chicks
Slowly closing in on a chick running along the water’s edge
A quick grab and the banding begins
The first order of business is to weigh it
While the chick is being weighed an appropriate band is being selected
In no time the first band is on
Next comes an orange band
A DNA sample is collected
Detailed records are kept of the whole process
Freshly tagged and ready for release
Off to the races with 2 colored bands and one USGS metal band
The next chick proved a little more difficult to catch
Almost in the safety of the net
This one is on to this game and escapes
He makes a mad dash to the water’s edge
He is quickly caught and handed over for his exam and banding
He is soon in the sack and being weighed
All done and ready to join the other chicks
Before we left we banded an adult