Raccoon Ridge Bird Observatory building....
Above: One side of the library...
Above: The banding laboratory....
Below: Looking from the banding lab and
classroom area toward the library.
The view out the front door. There is a wooded
area to the right of the telephone pole and the trees. At the far end of the
pond is an open, un-mowed field and wetland area, a smaller pond, and
free-flowing brook.
The well-house is just to the right of the front
door and serves as our feeding station. A metal grate covers the top of
the well, preventing any casualties. On top of the grate is a large piece
of plywood. In winter, seed is spread on the plywood and a few more
feeders and suet are hung around the roof. In the summer, plants serve as
hummingbird feeders and a minimal amount of sunflower seeds are offered.
Not visible in this photo is the bath - a large shallow container filled with
fresh water daily provides water for drinking and bathing.
The Net Lanes
RRBO mist nets are set in various habitats. We have a sometimes
swamp (more of a wetland/marsh); several old pastures, two lakes,
mixed hardwood and pine forest, mowed grass field, and more open
'garden' areas around the buildings.
 In
the fall, most of the nets are set in the cedar field, which is an
abandoned pasture now dominated by broomstraw grasses, cedar and
spruce trees, and autumn olive.
Although autumn olive is an introduced species, it is a bird-magnet
and nutritional food source for migrating birds. This field is a
considerable distance from the banding lab and net runs are
conducted via a Jeep, which also provides shelter in case of a bear
encounter. It happens.
Mist nets remain in the same areas for migration
and breeding monitoring, with plenty of room to add more as needed.
Net # 1 and # 2 are situated at the edge of the
swamp. In this photo, the swamp is on the left, through the trees.
If it rains heavily for more than a few days, net #2 remains closed or is
removed, as there will be several inches of water on the ground below it.
To the right of these nets is the field.
 
Nets #3 and #4 are along this road, just at the bend
in the center of the photo. The field is to the left. Nets #1
and #2 are to the left, at the lower left corner of this photo. To the
right, beyond the trees, is an open grassy field.
The grass field is bordered on the right side by a
stand of pines (planted around 50 years ago) and on the other side of the pines
is another pond.
Nets #5 and #6 are at the end of the first field; at
the 'end' of the road in the above photo. They are parallel to nets #1 and #2,
but at the other end of the field.
Below: Looking back on the first field from just to
the left of nets #5 and #6. Nets #1 and #2 are between the tall pines and
the row of autumn olives at the far end of the field.
This photo was taken from almost the same location
as the one above - but looking in the opposite direction. This is the
'opening' to the cedar field and location of nets #7, #8 and #9. More nets
are added in this field for fall migration.
The view from net #7 looking back out into the first
field.
Nets #8 (#9 and #10 continue on but are not visible
in this photo). The photographer is standing under net #7. These
nets are collectively called the "bear nets." For good reason.
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