Student Bird Study Puts the Lewis Center on the MAPS
by Bill Deppe/Special to the Daily Press
APPLE VALLEY – Student ornithologists at the Lewis Center have recently become active participants in a North American bird study known as Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship or MAPS. The goal of the local study is to census the breeding bird population and the survival rates of its offspring along the Mojave River at the Lewis Center.
Students, along with federally permitted bird banders, catch resident birds in 12 meter mist nets located in the riparian woodland at the school’s Mojave River campus. They are called upon to assist with the many facets of the study, including taking birds out of the nets, assisting with the data record keeping, and handling the birds.
Thus far about 20 different species of birds have been captured and banded at the site. 7th grade student ornithologist Stephen Campbell's favorite banded bird is a Nuthall's Woodpecker. "I liked all its amazing colors and the fact it was a woodpecker." Other colorful birds have had their admirers as well. Fellow student, Bryce Kobold states, "The Lazuli Bunting was the most interesting of the birds because of its blue coloring."
The student team has already confirmed the breeding status of several species of birds including Song Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, California Thrasher, Verdin, and Common Yellowthroat. Many other species of birds are suspected to breed in the study area, but await future confirmation.
The 12 meter mist nets are spread out over approximately 10 acres of cottonwood and willow woodland at the Mojave River campus. They are checked about every 30 minutes. Entangled birds are removed from the nets, put in bags, and taken to the banding area. After leg bands have been applied, birds are weighed and measured, sexed, and aged. The birds are processed and released quickly. Juvenile birds are returned to the same area they were banded.
All the student participants seem to agree that close contact with the birds is exciting. Campbell admits that is favorite part of the process is "holding the birds up close." The ever-smiling Kobold agrees when asked about his favorite part of the banding process. "I enjoy letting the birds go. That was really the fun part."
The MAPS study is coordinated by the Institute for Bird Populations located in Point Reyes, California that oversees about 500 stations in North America. Banding sessions began in May and run to the end of July. Members of the Mojave Desert Bird Club are assisting the Lewis Center students by lending their time and expertise to the effort. For further information on the activity, you can contact Bill Deppe at 247-5421.
Bill Deppe has been a teacher in Apple Valley schools for 30 years and is currently a life science teacher at the Lewis Center / AAE. He is also president of the Mojave Desert Bird club, which partners with the LC in the MAPS effort.
Used with permission by Daily Press, Freedom Communication, 2003