Emmy Casper began working with Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey in 2020, as a beach-nesting bird technician; over the past four years, she has observed banding of a variety of species, including piping plovers and American oystercatchers.

SHOREBIRDS: Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey’s Emmy Casper, a wildlife biologist who embarked on an oystercatcher banding apprenticeship this past summer, holds an oystercatcher chick captured for banding purposes. (Photo courtesy of Northside Jim)

Now a wildlife biologist with the organization, Casper said she’s “experienced firsthand how band resights can provide valuable knowledge of bird migration, life histories and productivity.”