Banding is the primary tool for studying bird populations today. Since 2009, thousands of birds have been documented by our banding team at Rushton Woods Preserve, revealing a vibrant, thriving population of birds that use our open spaces. During spring migration, you can observe the bird banding process on select Thursdays that are open to the public. You will get a chance to see and learn about the many species that stop over at Rushton Woods Preserve during their migration as well as birds that breed here. In addition, our field staff will educate visitors about the science of bird migration and the importance of land conservation for migratory birds.
Registration is Required!
Due to popularity and limited space of this experience, we do request that you please only register for 2 dates per season to allow everyone a chance to observe our banders at work.
Every Thursday, April 16 - May 21 | 7:30 am - 10:30 am
Banding is the primary tool for studying bird populations today. Since 2009, thousands of birds have been documented by our banding team at Rushton Woods Preserve, revealing a vibrant, thriving population of birds that use our open spaces. During spring migration, you can observe the bird banding process on select Thursdays that are open to the public. You will get a chance to see and learn about the many species that stop over at Rushton Woods Preserve during their migration as well as birds that breed here. In addition, our field staff will educate visitors about the science of bird migration and the importance of land conservation for migratory birds.
Registration is Required!
Due to popularity and limited space of this experience, we do request that you please only register for 2 dates per season to allow everyone a chance to observe our banders at work.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Please note the following:
Banding is weather dependent. Banding may be cancelled at any time with limited notice due to any one or more of the following weather factors: heavy rain before a banding date, rain on a banding date, high winds, extreme temperatures. Please check your email leading up to the event.
The banding station is entirely outdoors and you may have to walk through wet grass or mud to reach the station; please dress appropriately.
Photography is permitted. Any images shared via social media must include the phrase:
("All birds are handled and banded for research purposes under state and federal permits.")
Video is prohibited
Please stay within the designated viewing area for the safety of our staff and visitors, and do not attempt to take any bird out of a net.
To subscribe to our Bird's Eye View of Rushton e-newsletter for updates from the banding station throughout the season please visit: WCT Bird Conservation
To read more about bird banding click here or watch our video here!
PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
PARKING | Parking will be located at Rusthon Farm & Rushton Woods Preserve (911 Delchester Rd, Newtown Square)
Limited Accessible parking will be available at Rushton Conservation Center (915 Delchester Rd, Newtown Square) OTHER EVENT INFORMATION |
POLICIES
CANCELLATION POLICY |WCT may cancel events due to inclement weather or low registration. If an event is canceled, we will notify you of the rescheduled event date, and you will receive a full refund. If you can no longer attend | If your cancellation is at least 72 hours in advance of the event date, please email bhg@wctrust.org or call 610-353-2562. If your cancellation is less than 72 hours' notice and you DO NOT attend a event, we cannot guarantee available space on other dates. Thank you for understanding. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY | Attendance throughout the programs and events with Willistown Conservation Trust gives consent to be photographed for use in print and electronic media. Please notify Willistown Conservation Trust staff if you would prefer that your photo not be used for various multimedia or publications. Contact communications@wctrust.org
"All birds are handled and banded for research purposes under state and federal permits."
Meet Our Bird Conservation Team
Lisa Kiziuk | Director of Bird Conservation Program
As Willistown Conservation Trust's Director of Bird Conservation Program and founding partner of the Northeast Motus Collaboration (NMC), Lisa Kiziuk is a scientist whose primary goal is to connect people to the natural world through education, technology, and scientific research to develop a strong conservation ethic to protect birds and other wildlife. Through work with partners throughout the Western Hemisphere, especially Birds Canada, she helps promote collaborative expansion of the Motus network, which electronically tracks birds’ movements and is revolutionizing scientists’ ability to identify land and habitat most critical for birds’ survival. Outside of the office, Lisa is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the graduate program of environmental science.
As the Education Programs Manager at Willistown Conservation Trust since 2010, Blake Goll has developed the Trust’s award-winning Rushton Nature Keepers program and curriculum for children, as well as other various education programs for all ages. She also assists with the daily operations of the songbird banding and owl banding stations throughout banding season, and provides digital content and outreach to educate the community about conservation. Blake is a North American Banding Council (NABC) certified bird bander, and some of her favorite activities include yoga, gardening, hiking with her dog, backpacking, reading, writing, and interior decorating.
Alison began her work at the Trust as a Bird Conservation intern in the fall of 2013, and luckily for us, she hasn’t left since! With over 20 years of bird monitoring and banding experience, Alison has played a key role at the Rushton Woods Banding Station, as well as the Northeast Motus Collaboration where she works with landowners to establish Motus Wildlife Tracking receiving stations. When Alison isn’t busy doing all things birds here at the Trust, she spends her time lecturing at the University of Pennsylvania, enjoying walks in the woods, and of course, birding with her husband and two children.
Shelly Eshleman | Motus Avian Research Coordinator
Shelly Eshleman joined the Trust as a Motus Avian Research Coordinator in 2020, and since then, she has been busy assisting with bird banding at Rushton Woods Banding Station, helping collaborators with field research methods and the use of Motus tracking technologies, and installing Motus stations across the Northeast. While in grad school at North Dakota State University, she worked with the USDA to study red-winged blackbird migration patterns and their relationship with reproduction. Other than birding, Shelly's hobbies include reading, quilting, and camping with friends.
Aaron Coolman | Motus Technician and Avian Migration Ecologist
With a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Ohio State University, he has experience in residential garden design, former work as a USFWS Biotechnician, and a history as a volunteer for the Maryland DNR Natural Heritage Program. Aaron is a perfect fit at our organization and has been working with WCT since Fall of 2021. In his spare time, you can find him looking for grassland birds, shorebirds, or at a sea-watch. Basically anywhere that requires a spotting scope.
