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| Summer 2003 Bird Banding (MAPS, which is short for "Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship") |
| For 10 years, Don and Joyce Varner and the Indian Nations Audubon Society have taken a sample of the birds on a plot in the Ft. Gibson Waterfowl Refuge by catching and banding the birds to record how long they live, how many young they produce, and to keep track of their general health. This is part of a national study called MAPS, which is short for Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship. Ft. Gibson Waterfowl Refuge is one of about 400 sites in the US where people band birds on the same spot under similar conditions eight times each summer. The goal is to keep track of how many birds are being produced and how long birds live, and to detect changes that are occurring nationally or regionally. The statistical part is all done at a national center located at Point Reyes, California. The combined results are published by them each year. |
| For those who don't know, the Varners set up 20 nets, each approximately 7 feet high and 40 feet long, to catch birds for 5 hours once every 10 days, from May 20th to August 10th. In essence, they're taking a sample of the bird life of a small (about 20-acre) area. They begin banding at 6 a.m. and continue until 11 a.m. If you have ever wanted to help band birds, this is your chance. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part, whether you want to do the physical labor of putting up nets and removing birds, help with the banding and data recording, or just sit around and watch. They are most in need of help at 6:00 and 11:00 when they put up and take down the nets. Bring a lawn chair and snacks for your comfort. Banding will continue on June 22, July 5, 12, 26, and August 2nd. Mark your calendar now!! Directions to the bird-banding site: From the town of Okay go north on Hwy 251A; it soon turns directly east. In about half-a-mile, you'll see a convenience store and 66 station (Stinky's) on the right. Turn left onto No. 49th Street East and head north past the Okay schools. You'll come to a 4-way stop intersection; go straight through the intersection (after stopping, of course) onto the gravel road and after about 50 yards you will enter the refuge. This is the south entrance. The gate may be closed but not locked. In another 50 yards, turn left. We are scattered along the road for the next mile. (If all else fails, ask directions to the Okay schools and just go straight past them until you enter the refuge, then turn left.) If you're coming from Wagoner, take Hwy 16 going south. After only a couple of miles, you'll see a sign on the right that points toward Sequoyah Bay State Park; turn left. This road goes straight to the west gate of the refuge. Just inside the refuge, turn right and follow the road for a couple of miles until you find our group. If/whenever you come to a fork in the road, take the right fork. The road to the west gate floods easily so if the lake is high, use the south gate. There is still another way to get to the south gate. If you miss the Sequoyah Bay State Park sign, turn left at the next sign to Sequoyah Bay Park and Wahoo Bay. Travel east for several miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn left and in about 50 yards you'll see the south gate into the refuge. It should be open or at least unlocked. Once past the gate, turn left in another 50 yards and we are scattered along the next mile of road. We do not band in rain other than drizzle. If you have any other questions, write or call Don or Joyce Varner at 918-456-3894. (They're up at 4:00 a.m. on banding days and leave the house about 4:45 a.m. Their cell phone number is 918-453-8404, and their e-mail is varner@intellex.com.) |