ADDISON, Vt. – Bird-lovers are invited to join the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department in Addison at the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and nearby Snake Mountain to learn more about bird banding and conservation.

Fish and Wildlife is partnering with Otter Creek Audubon to hold bird banding demonstrations in October. Members of the public will help identify the birds, observe the banding process and help release the birds after they are banded. Licensed bird bander Rodney Olsen of Vergennes will lead all banding sessions.

Evening owl banding sessions will take place at Snake Mountain from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. on October 11 and 18. Participants are invited to come learn why owls are banded and about some of the techniques that are used.

Songbird banding will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on October 26 near the Dead Creek WMA Visitor Center. In addition to songbird banding, there will be several stations set up about bird identification, bird biology and birding techniques.

“Birds are currently on a massive migration headed southward, and many people aren’t even aware of it,” said Olsen. “Dead Creek is a great location to witness this migration. I encourage people to come learn more about the conservation work that goes on at Dead Creek and Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s other wildlife management areas.”

Bird banding is a conservation tool that helps biologists track the health of bird populations in the wild. It can also help biologists better understand bird movements to target high-priority habitats for conservation efforts.

For more information about the event, contact Corey Hart at corey.hart@vermont.gov. If the events are cancelled due to weather, information will be posted on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s Facebook page.

The Dead Creek WMA Visitor Center is located at 966 Vermont Route 17, Addison, Vermont. The owl banding session will take place approximately 1.2 miles east of the intersection of Route 17 and 22A -- look for the signs.

Media Contacts: Corey Hart, 802-505-5562; Amy Alfieri, 802-759-2398