Images

Nonlethal smallmouth bass sampling is being done to address health concerns and population declines that may be associated with polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the upper Potomac River.  As part of our nonlethal sampling methods, blood/plasma can be analyzed for PFAS in smallmouth bass.

American Redstarts have rictal bristles, stiff feathers around the bill, that are believed to help assist in catching insects during flight.

A Tufted Titmouse is held after being released from a net as part of the Bird Banding Lab's fieldwork in October 2022.

At the Bird Banding Lab's Fall Migration Station, Winter Wrens are one of the smallest species they band. They have the smallest tail measurement at the station, between 26-36 millimeters!  

Lauren Walker and Stephanie Egger remove birds from the nets at the banding station to band and record data. 

A visual of one of the nets that are used at the banding station on the Patuxent Research Refuge.

A beautiful blue jay that was caught at the PRR BBL Bird Banding Fall Migration Station

A banded White-throated Sparrow, like the one pictured, was encountered fall 2022 at BBL's Fall Migration Station in Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD. Typically encounters of banded birds are ones previously banded by the station.

Gulf of America sunset and the remotely operated vehicle Mohawk (UNCW-Undersea Vehicles Program) aboard the Research Vessel Point Sur

A scientist, Cheryl Morrison, takes images of benthic communities in the Gulf of America using the Mohawk (UNCW-Undersea Vehicles Program)

A banded Black-throated Blue Warbler hatch-year male, at the USGS Bird Banding Lab's Fall Migration Station.

This American Redstart is one of the more common species, out of the total 33 warbler species, the Bird Banding Lab has banded at the Fall Migration Station at Patuxent Research Refuge. 

Work station for fish species identification at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville WV.

Scientists can use clues in the wing to age birds. In this case the bird has molted all its wing feathers recently, so it is an after hatch year male. 

Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) banded at the USGS Bird Banding Lab during fall migration.

This female Rose-breasted Grosbeak was one out of six grosbeaks banded at the Bird Banding Lab's Fall Migration Station. Making it an irruption year at the station. 

Wild Turkeys near Knowles Marsh at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, MD          

A kettle of migrating Broad-winged Hawks builds over EESCs Gabrielson building at the Patuxent Research Refuge

A Black-billed Cuckoo is weighed in a plastic pill canister, so that researchers can better understand the fluctuation of weight gain and loss during migration.

Scientists examine the wing of this cuckoo looking for signs of feather wear to age this bird. 

Partner and Employee Engagement Team Manger Kirby Rootes-Murdy in front of the Eastern Ecological Science Center table at the 2022 Pollinator Festival put on by the Friends of Patuxent