Let's start with the Wildwing Lake female on her nest watching the banding crew push off from shore and begin their trek toward her chicks.

She has seen this in four prevous years, doesn't like it at all, and gets very vocal upon seeing any boat in the water. Even though she has probably learned her chicks won't be harmed, she doesn't want anyone messing with them!

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission

Here is the banding crew on their way out to the Wildwing Lake nest. They are from left to right: Dr. Ann Duncan, Chief Veterinarian, Detroit Zoo, Julie Oakes, Wildlife Biologist, Michigan DNR, and Jim Pulling, Wildlife Assistant, Michigan DNR.

Osprey chicks are usually banded between the ages of 3 and 5 weeks. The Wildwing Lake chicks are thought to be about 3 and one-half weeks old, so just the right age for this activity.

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission

With the boat secure against the support poles and the ladder in place, Jim retrieves a chick from the nest. He'll bring it down to the boat where the rest of the work will take place.

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission

With Julie holding the chick, Ann performs a complete physical. She is looking at the chick's overall condition, the presence of parasites or fungal growths, and heart and lung sounds.

She then takes a small blood sample to determine the chick's sex and to diagnose any blood-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus.

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission

When the physical is finished, the banding activity begins. Each chick will get a silver colored US Fish & Wildlife (USF&W) band on one leg, and a pair of yellow colored plastic "class" bands on the other leg. The yellow "class" bands signify that the chick was banded in 2006.

Julie has a silver USF&W band on the long-nose pliers, opening it up so that it will fit over the chick's leg. It will be placed on the leg and permanently closed.

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission

Once the physical exam and banding are done, the chick is returned to the nest and another retrieved. The time to process each chick is about 10 minutes, so it took about a half-hour to check and band the chicks in the Wildwing Lake nest.

As this activity is going on, mother osprey is flying around overhead, watching intently and scolding the banding crew.

Once the chicks are processed, the ladder is taken down and stowed and the boat is on its way back to shore.

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission

With the boat a safe distance away, (about 100 yards) mother osprey returns to her chicks.

The banding crew packs everything up, including the boat, and journeys over to the Dawson Rd. nest to repeat the banding tasks there.

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission

At the Dawson Rd. nest, OWSEM volunteer Tom Schneider, (center) Curator of Birds, Detroit Zoo handles the banding duties.

The chick in Tom's lap is about four and one-half weeks old and noticeably larger than the chicks at Wildwind Lake nest. These chicks will probably fledge during the third week of July when they are eight weeks old!

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission

As the banding crew pulled away from the Dawson Rd. nest, mother osprey promptly returned to her nest. The last chick banded at this nest is still up looking around!

This female osprey has become somewhat accustomed to humans near her nest due to the boaters on the Huron River that often pass by at close range.

We are happy to report that all of the chicks in both nests are the epitomy of good health.

Jim Kortge photo; used with permission