Bird Banding Winter Program

The Mines of Spain Recreation Area will feature a program on Bird Banding with David Shealer. The program will be held on February 18 at 1:00 pm.  The program will be held at the E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center located at 8991 Bellevue Heights south of Dubuque. 

David Shealer is a Professor at Loras College.  He will identify, weigh, measure, sex and determine their health.  Assist in the capture of song birds and get a chance to hold and look at various song birds found in the area.  This is a good chance to learn to identify and get familiar with birds at your feeders.  Adults and children alike will enjoy this program.  Hands on and up close look song birds found in our area.  The feeders at the center have numerous birds coming and going all year long. Some of the birds that will be banded might include the Black Capped Chickadee, White Breasted Nuthatch, Cardinals, Downy Woodpecker, Goldfinch and Tufted Titmouse.  There are over fifteen different species of songbirds utilizing the feeders during the winter.

The E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center will be open from 12:30 to 3 p.m. with the program starting at 1:00 p.m.  Come early, stay late and explore the various exhibits and aquariums found throughout the center or take a hike on one of the trails that start just outside the interpretive center.

Program is free of charge and appropriate for all ages. You may want to dress for the weather if you want to join them outside for a few minutes when they catch the birds in the nets.