In this photo, Wildlife Biologist and bander Sergej Postupalsky, and OWSEM volunteers Val Valoppi, and Barb Jensen  are on the Huron River heading for the Dawson Rd. nest. The loop carpet trap (between Val and Barb) and the ladder used to climp to the top of the nest platform are important tools for this activity.

The loop carpet trap is attached to the nest platform. Before landing, the female osprey can see her 3 eggs under the wire mesh dome of this apparatus. As she lands, her feet are caught by the many loops, preventing her from flying off.

Within a couple of minutes, the caught female and trap are retrieved and the osprey placed into a cloth bag to restrain her and to minimize stress when being handled.

Sergej is applying acetone to a previously placed plastic band on the right leg of this osprey. The acetone glues the band layers together to make the band permanent.  Val is readying the second band that will be placed above the installed band. The osprey is nestled in the grey bag in Sergej's lap

This female also received a metal U.S. Fish and Wildlife band on her left leg, with a plastic band above that. The unique band set used on this bird will allow observers to easily identify her in succeeding years.

Once banded, the female osprey is weighed. This one was 1.83 kilograms, or 4 pounds.  Four pounds is an average weight for an adult female osprey, while the males weigh about three pounds.

After weighing, each bird is closely examined. Here, the tail feathers are being counted, and their condition noted.

When all of the bands are in place and the physical condition of the bird has been determined and recorded, she is released to return to her nest. The total time from capture to release takes about 30 minutes.