The Science of Bird Banding at USN

by Lisa Preston, lower school naturalist

Since late October, we have been feeding the birds in the outdoor classroom.
Students have been visiting the outdoor classroom weekly to document the different species of birds and record the average number of species sightings each week, developing an eye for each type of bird and an ear for their songs. The second graders have also been using the Discover Birds Activity books that were published and sponsored by the Tennessee Ornithological Society to learn more about birds.
 
Early in April, our resident birds were documented in a whole new way. Cyndi Routledge of Southeastern Avian Research came to teach us more about birds which are close to her heart. She explained the practice of banding and the importance of data collection from year to year.  Ms. Routledge, along with volunteers John Kell and Susan Hollyday (who themselves have lots of experience with birds), banded twenty-five birds in our outdoor classroom.
 
Each bird was gently caught in mist nets that were strategically placed in the outdoor classroom area, then carefully removed, examined for their overall health, and banded with a tiny aluminum band. Their wings were measured, the bird was aged and a sex was determined, and then they were gently released~it was a joy to watch them fly away each time. 
 
Students were able to see the birds up close and see the scientists in action as they recorded data about each bird.
 
We look forward to next year when we can hope to see some of the same birds so that we can learn how their feathers and overall health change over time.
 
Birds...what a wondrous, wild gift we have around us.
 
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  • HS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
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  • MS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Middle School volleyball and tennis teams are nearing the final games of their seasons, with the competition heating up while the Tigers play to determine their HVAC rankings. Cross country was finally able to race at the River Campus despite the heat, and our mountain biking team traveled to Oakfield, Tennessee, for a high-temperature race weekend.
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  • MTB Race #2 Report - Rockabilly Ridge Trails, Oakfield, TN

    Steve Smail
    The MTB team returned to the the twisty trails of tranquil Oakfield, TN on Sept 13th to take part in the second race of the season, as part of the 5-race series hosted by the NICA/TICL League.
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Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

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USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.