Kennesaw’s Smith-Gilbert Gardens will hold its Hummingbird Banding event on Saturday, September 7 from 8- 11 am, hosted by “Hummingbird Whisperer” Julia Elliott of Bird Watcher Supply Company. Executive Director, Ann Parsons says, “We are so pleased to work with Julia Elliott and Bird Watcher Supply Company to host this annual event. It is fascinating to watch the banding process and discover just how amazing these tiny birds are! This is a great program for the whole family.”
Elliott received her federal Master Permit to band hummingbirds in 2010. She is one of only about 150 persons from across the United States and Canada authorized to band these tiny birds. The process of banding, recapture, and recovery provides valuable information about bird history, especially migratory details and the relative abundance of a given bird species from year to year. When a bird is banded, the bander collects important data about the bird’s age, sex, condition, and plumage characteristics. All the information is recorded and the birds can be tracked across the United States, if they are captured again.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Sibley. This little hummingbird was rescued and rehabbed as a juvenile, but could not be released due to permanent injury and has become Atlanta Audubon Society’s ambassador hummingbird.
PLAY…in Nature will also be open during this event. Create lasting memories with you family outside, unscheduled, unstructured, and stress-free! Enjoy interactive exhibits including “Dream Boat”, “Fairyland”, “Birdbox” and more!
Families will be invited to make hummingbird craft projects in the Rose Garden, enjoy a scavenger hunt, play yard games, and visit Fiona the Owl, courtesy of HawkTalk (additional fee applies).
The banding is a rain or shine event. Special thanks to presenting sponsor Bird Watcher Supply Company and our event sponsors LCORE Wealth Management, Servis 1st Bank, Windsong Properties, Gentry Law Firm and Cobb Travel and Tourism. Visit smithgilbertgardens.com or call 770-919-0248 for complete details and to pre-purchase tickets.