QUECHEE, Vt. (WCAX) – An owl banded in Vermont was recaptured a month later in Rhode Island, providing valuable data for researchers studying migratory movements.
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science is part of Project Owlnet, a a nationwide effort to learn more about the northern saw-whet owl by tracking their migratory movements.
The tiny owl was banded on October 1 at the VINS campus in Quechee and was recaptured on October 24 at a banding station in Rhode Island.
“The goal, by putting that band on, is that if somebody else sees it somewhere else or encounters it again, they can see the health, they can see where it’s moving. We know it’s the same owl. And that’s really, really helpful,” said VINS’ Jim Armbruster.
VINS has been part of the Owlnet program for the past two years. This is the first time an owl they’ve banded has been recaptured.
After collecting wing measurements and weight, the owl will be released.
