Bird banding research began at Hilton Pond North on 10 March 2024 with the capture, banding, and release of a Blue Jay. Traps were deployed on a near-daily basis until the first mist nets were unfurled on 25 August. When cold weather returned in late fall, nets were stored and traps were again baited and set. Hummingbird traps were in use July through October.

March through June we trapped 776 birds, 86% of which were American Goldfinches (AMGO); the year ended with 953 AMGO banded--nearly half the annual total of 2,012. By year's end our unexpected 154 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds comprised nearly 8% of all birds banded.

In all, we banded 67 species in 2024, a sizable percentage of the 86 species encountered on, over, or from the property through sight, sound, or banding.