This summer, EBBA would like to highlight some student projects that utilize banding in the EBBA region! For our first post in the series, let’s take a peek at the graduate work of Nancy Ransom @warblingdorito who recently completed her MS at Bowling Green State University. Working under the guidance of Dr. Steve Latta (National Aviary), Nancy captured and scored molt in HOWA, OVEN, GRCA, and WOTH from mid-June to late September 2024. Using mist-net arrays across five mixed-aged forest sites, she compared pre-basic molt progression among birds occupying forest gaps of varying ages managed by the Foundation for Sustainable Forestry in northwestern Pennsylvania, ranging from 4 to 13 years post-harvest. Their findings suggest that younger forest gaps (4–6 years) support more advanced molt scores across all four species, compared to older gaps. These regenerating habitats offer both high insect availability and dense cover, two critical factors for successful feather replacement during this vulnerable stage. While previous studies have emphasized pre-alternate molt and its relationship to migration timing, few have explored how pre-basic molt varies with habitat succession. This research helps fill that gap and adds nuance to our understanding of how habitat management, especially forest turnover and gap creation, can influence the full annual cycle of migratory songbirds. #ornithology #molt #birds #succession #forestry #catbird #woodthrush #ovenbird #hoodedwarbler #fieldwork #birdbanding (fb)

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