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              Dr. Douglas Wood of Southeastern Oklahoma State University recently completed his fourth field season of a five year Prothonotary Warbler study at Tishomingo NWR. The study should show the amount of site fidelity in early successional bottomland forest on Tishomingo NWR. A total of 583 warblers have been banded to this point.

            Dr. Wood, a master bander, is also determining migratory songbird use of the refuge for stop-over habitat and confirming nesting on the refuge by certain neartic-neotropical species. The spring migratory banding project netted 302 individuals and forty-four species in a single season.

            Dr. Wood continued to assist the refuge with conducting banding demonstrations for local school groups which provides a valuable education experience for refuge visitors. Species of interest that have been banded in 2006 include Painted Bunting, Mourning Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird, and Acadian Flycatcher.