During the now completed restoration of Riverby Ranch, a 15,000-acre site, a group of biology students from the University of North Texas took part in an exciting field study, trapping and banding hawks as part of their midterm break. Riverby, a key component of an environmental mitigation plan for Bois d'Arc Lake, provides a rich, protected habitat for American raptors, whose populations have been declining in recent years.
During the study, the students carefully handled the hawks, and collected valuable data on their physical characteristics, such as beak, talon, and tail measurements. This process also included blood sampling for genetic research on red-tailed hawks, aimed at understanding population structures and migration patterns across the United States. Thanks to a specially designed trapping method, both the birds and the researchers remained safe throughout the process.
The work at Riverby not only contributes to scientific research on raptors but also serves as an important training ground for the students, preparing them for future roles in wildlife conservation. The team’s efforts underscore the crucial role raptors play in maintaining ecological balance, especially in the face of widespread habitat loss.
