COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS : Volunteer ‘Bird Banders’ Sought

Researchers are seeking “dedicated bird banders” to help with the annual cliff swallow migration study at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita.

Betty Rose, a biology instructor, said volunteers are needed for the next banding session at 4 a.m. Monday. The volunteers learn to net, band and weigh some of the 1,000 birds that have flown from Argentina each spring since 1970 to nest in campus buildings.

“It’s a particularly unique experience for adults and children,” Rose said. “This is the last banding for the year.”

Research experience is the biggest appeal for student volunteers, Rose said. “Scientists often travel thousands of miles to study migratory birds such as these cliff swallows. We’ve got them in our own back yard, ready for undergraduates to acquire the kind of research experience that’s usually open only to students at large universities.”

Rose and two other researchers, George Fisler and Jim Dole of Cal State Northridge, have been studying the birds since 1987. One of the greatest challenges for the three has been finding volunteers willing to return yearly for the three banding sessions.

Some would-be volunteers may hesitate because of the early hour, but Rose says it is necessary. Volunteers must quietly sneak on campus and position nets in front of the swallows’ nests before the sun rises.

“They leave the nest at dawn to go out for breakfast,” Rose said, of the birds. About 75 birds will be captured and released on Monday.

When captured, researchers and volunteers collect data that is used to tackle some of the problems associated with the nesting by the birds.

“There really is a need to learn how to deter the birds safely--in a way that doesn’t hurt them,” Rose said.

The research also will examine the meaning of the birds’ calls, helping scientists better understand the birds’ social interactions.

Volunteers for Monday’s banding are asked to meet in the staff parking lot near the campus child development center.