An unopened net hangs just before dawn at the Powdermill Avian Research Center in Rector, Pa., on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Researchers at the station arrive daily before first light to start unfurling nets for the day's bird banding activities.
Volunteer Jeff Territo of Bedford, Pa., opens a net at the Powdermill Avian Research Center in Rector, Pa., as dawn breaks on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
Three Black-capped Chickadees struggle after being caught in a net at the Powdermill Avian Research Center in Rector, Pa., on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Researchers at the station make rounds collecting birds from the nets every 40 minutes.
Seasonal assistant Blaine Carnes untangles a Ruby-crowned Kinglet from a net.
Avian ecologist and banding program coordinator Andrew Vitz takes measurements on this captured Solitary Sandpiper at the Powdermill Avian Research Center in Rector, Pa., on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.
Research assistant Marcia Arland of the North Hills lets a Ruby-crowned Kinglet go after taking its measurements at the Powdermill Avian Research Center in Rector, Pa., on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.
Avian ecologist and banding program coordinator Andrew Vitz makes his rounds checking nets for birds at the Powdermill Avian Research Center in Rector, Pa., on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.