Bird Banding | Boulder County Nature Association

Allegra Collister Bird Banding Project

A northern parula banded at Lykins Gulch.

Allegra Collister, a co-author of A List of Birds of Rocky Mountain National Park, began banding birds in a small gulch north of Boulder in 1950. Since then, a small group of volunteers have continued the effort; over 10,000 birds and over 180 species have been banded or sighted in this small gulch measuring a quarter-mile long and 300 yards wide. In 1992, James Guercio donated a Conservation Easement to BCNA covering the area historically used for bird banding by Allegra Collister and BCNA volunteers to BCNA. The Allegra Collister Nature Preserve came into being at this time. In 2011, the Conservation Easement was transferred to Boulder County Parks and Open Space. Bird banding continues during spring (May) and fall (mid-August to mid-October) migratory season. Maggie Boswell and Megan Jones Patterson, licensed bird banders, lead a team of volunteers who operate and maintain the banding program. This banding is under the aegis of the National Bird Banding Laboratory in Laurel, MD, and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

Birds of Rocky Mountain Park by Allegra Collister is available as part of The Shelf2Life Nature Studies Collection and as a Scholar’s Choice Edition. Both are available online from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

“The folks at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Bird Banding Lab (BBL) tell us that one of the many Wilson’s Warblers we caught had been banded near Sheffield, TX in May, 2008. Jo Anna Lutmerding of the BBL writes “This was definitely an interesting retrap on multiple levels for the BBL, since the bird was banded as an ASY(after second year) in 2008, at time of recapture the bird was at least 4 years and 3 months by BBL protocol (assuming a latest hatch month of June 2006). It’s not anywhere near the longevity record for the species, but still notable. It’s also one of the longer movements documented in our encounter database for the species.” She also said that they have very few recaptures of Wilson’s Warblers.”

–2010 Bird Banding Report

Interested in Visiting?

It is clear that the Allegra Collister Nature Preserve holds an attraction for many birds and other wildlife. Under the terms of the negotiated conservation easement, the Allegra Collister property is closed to the public. It is important that the landowner’s wishes be respected, and the intent of the agreement honored. Only people accompanied by an authorized person are permitted on the property.

Occasional opportunities to visit the banding station may occur through Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Boulder County Nature Association, or Boulder County Audubon Society. Any opportunity would be posted on the respective organization’s website. If you are interested in observing bird banding, consider signing up to visit the BCR banding stations located around the state, including at Barr Lake (fall) or Chatfield State Park (spring).

Interested in Volunteering?

Banding at ACNP Banding Station operates in May (spring migration) and mid-August to mid-October (fall migration). During these seasons, banding usually occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 5 hours starting 15 minutes before sunrise.

If you have experience extracting birds from mist nets or banding birds and would like to volunteer at ACNP, please contact Megan Jones Patterson (megan@boulderaudubon.org).

Our bander training program has limited capacity. Individuals who can commit to multiple days per week for several years may be able to start with data recording and as opportunities arise may be able to be trained. If you have questions, please contact Megan Jones Patterson (megan@boulderaudubon.org).

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