Kennesaw’s Smith-Gilbert Gardens will hold its eighth annual hummingbird banding event on Saturday, September 8 from 8- 11 am, hosted by “Hummingbird Whisperer” Julia Elliott of Bird Watcher Supply Company. Executive Director, Ann Parsons says, “We are so pleased to work with Julia Elliott and Bird Watcher Supply Company to host this annual event. It is fascinating to watch the banding process and discover just how amazing these tiny birds are! This is a great program for the whole family.”
Elliott received her federal Master Permit to band hummingbirds in 2010. She is one of only about 150 persons from across the United States and Canada authorized to band these tiny birds. The process of banding, recapture, and recovery provides valuable information about bird history, especially migratory details and the relative abundance of a given bird species from year to year. When a bird is banded, the bander collects important data about the bird’s age, sex, condition, and plumage characteristics. All the information is recorded and the birds can be tracked across the United States, if they are captured again. 
“TreeMendous Play Houses” will also be open during this event. Experience fun outdoor play structures (appropriate for all ages) showcasing creative design and innovations in sustainability, while establishing an interactive connection with nature.
Children will be invited to make hummingbird craft projects in the Rose Garden, enjoy a scavenger hunt, play yard games, and visit the bubble ponds.
The banding is a rain or shine event. Special thanks to presenting sponsor Bird Watcher Supply Company. Visit smithgilbertgardens.com or call 770-919-0248 for complete details.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens
Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Rd, Kennesaw, GA 30152, houses more than 3,000 species of plants on 16 acres in Kennesaw, GA. United by woodland paths, the gardens consist of separate groupings with individual elements of fascination. These include the Bonsai Exhibit, Paladino Camellia Garden, largest crevice garden in Georgia, Dale Gillett Rose Garden, and American Conifer Society Reference Garden. The gardens are open Tuesdays through Saturdays 9 AM to 4 PM. For more information, please go to www.smithgilbertgardens.com.
