Bird banding research began at Hilton Pond North on 2024. In 2025 various live traps were used on a near-daily basis and mist nets were unfurled when weather allowed. Hummingbird traps were in use April through October.

January through June we banded 873 birds, ??% of which were American Goldfinches (AMGO); the year ended with 533 AMGO banded--nearly half the annual total of 1,166 for all birds. By year's end our unexpected 171 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds comprised nearly ??% of all birds banded.

In all, we banded 51 species in 2024, about half the 91 species encountered on, over, or from the property through sight, sound, or banding. The chart below shows all birds banded in 2025 and allows comparison with 2024 bandings. For some species—and for the final total—the most recent year showed fewer bandings, even though 2025 included all 12 months and we did not start banding in 2024 until 10 March.

A more detailed summary with photos is at 2025 Bird Banding Results: An Exception Or The Norm?

NOTE: A running account of banding efforts is included at the end of each installment of This Week At Hilton Pond North, to which you can get a FREE SUBSCRIPTION.