Four smiling people stand outdoors in a grassy wetland area beneath a partly cloudy sky, posing in front of a tall metal pole supporting a cluster of white, gourd-shaped purple martin housing units. One person on the left wears a hat that reads “Cellular Tracking Technologies” and a gray shirt with bird illustrations and the text “They’re Here.” The other three wear brightly colored shirts and hats, one of which says “Ocean City.” A purple martin is perched on top of the housing unit.
A man wearing a green shirt, blue cap, and sunglasses uses pliers to gently attach a leg band to a small nestling bird while seated at a table outdoors. Another person in a peach-colored shirt and hat observes closely. On the table are tools, bird banding supplies, and a reference sheet with photos showing the development stages of baby birds. The setting is grassy with a wooden shingled wall and lattice fencing in the background.
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Close-up of a person gently holding a young purple martin while fitting a purple color band that is partially readable, showing “NJ”, for New Jersey, onto its leg. The person has tattoos of various birds and other wildlife on their forearm. Nearby on the table are pliers, leg bands, and a blue plastic bin. The bird’s plumage is partially developed, and its beak is slightly open. The scene takes place outdoors, as part of a bird banding project, at The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, NJ
A woman wearing a coral shirt, olive green hat, and glasses sits at an outdoor table during a bird banding session at The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, NJ. She is using pliers to carefully apply a leg band to a young purple martin. The table holds various tools, including scissors, banding pliers, color bands, and a blue bin with other nestlings. Her shirt reads “The possibilities are limulus,” referencing horseshoe crabs. A weathered shingled building with large windows is visible in the background.
A great day at The Wetlands Institute, with Conservation Scientist Meghan Kolk, her volunteer and partner, Lou, and 2025 Shorebird Steward, Julia. Together we banded over 60 chicks in their two “Martin Motels”! Here’s to many happy returns for the class of 2025!! #bird #banding #ConservationScience