Banded Sanderling at Six Men's

Barbados had its first banded bird sighting for the year, a Sanderling (Calidris alba) with tagged markings JK>.  It was first seen and photographed by a local photographer Himal Reece at Six Men’s, St. Peter.  I saw the bird on Saturday, January 16th, at the same location with 10 others Sanderlings and a Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres).  This no doubt, is just a remnant of a larger flock I saw there on December 5^th which numbered close to 50 birds. The shorebird appeared healthy and was actively feeding, the only one in the group doing so, the others were at rest.  The sighting was reported to www.bandedbirds.com.  Six Men’s Bay is one of the wintering locations for Sanderlings on the island and over the years there have been several resightings there. See a list below of the tag IDs, the year and location of its banding, and the year of resighting at Six Men’s Bay.

• Y2L was tagged on May 22, 2015, at Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States. Resighted at six Men’s in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2020
  
  
  
• 19Y was tagged May 22, 2014, at  Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States - Resighted at Six Men’s in 2014
  
  
  
• CVE was tagged on  May 22, 2015, at Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States - Resighted at Six Men’s in 2015 and Long Beach, Christ Church in 2018.
  
  
  
• JK>  was tagged on May 5, 2019, at Kimbles Beach - South, New Jersey, United States – Its resighting history is very short  -

• 5/24/2019 - Reeds Beach - south, New Jersey, United States  
• 5/30/2019 - Kimbles Beach - north, New Jersey, United States
• 6/1/2019 - Villas Beaches, New Jersey, United States
• 7/29/2019 - Moores Beach - Creek, New Jersey, United State 
• 1/3/2021 – Six Men’s Bay, St. Peter, Barbados

Banding data is useful in both scientific research, species management and conservation projects. The individual identification of birds makes possible studies of dispersal and migration, behavior and social structure, life-span and survival rate, reproductive success, and population growth.  When such data is reported, it helps in connecting parts of the puzzle that is the bird's life and journeys.  It allows for important conservational resources to be plugged in at the most effective areas for the betterment of the targeted species. So next time you happen to see a banded bird report it, share the information, look it up on www.bandedbirds.com.  It may give you a new appreciation for our feathered friends. 

Stay safe and enjoy your birding