Hummingbird Festival 073016

Photos by Sandra Michaud

Last weekend people from the area and outside the region attended the Hummingbird Festival at Little Toad Creek Inn. They watched and took pictures as volunteers captured the delicate little birds, took measurements, weighed and then banded and released them.

The birds are captured by luring them into a cage with a feeder inside of it. They are then put into soft carrying cages and taken to the banding area, where they are gently wrapped in a soft cloth, which covers their eyes and calms them. The volunteers then measure their length; tails, beaks and body fat, and weigh them. Then they are carefully banded on their legs. They are then given a GǣsnackGǥ and gently given to one of the volunteers to set free.

During the remainder of the day, people could attend various conferences and seminars, or they could just sit and enjoy the hummingbirds.