Howdy all,
Today turned out a bit better than I had expected. By the time we closed
nets, we had banded 73 birds. It was a nice day at the banding station, with
the
weather much better for banding than what we have had over the last week!
The day started off by hearing the WHIP-POOR-WILL again while opening nets.
The first two net runs of the day (7am and 745am) were by far the best of th
e day. The most common capture today was by far GRAY CATBIRDS. They made up
half of the birds banded today. Guess it is that time of year!
The biggest highlight of the morning was the capture of a BICKNELL'S THRUSH.
Usually an annual species here, but never in big numbers. Since 1994, the
highest in one season is only 4. Anyway, always nice to see one!
Another highlight of the morning was the capture of an adult male CAPE MAY
WARBLER. Wow! What a beautiful bird!
We also had our first RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS of the season. Is winter really
that close??
Also I forgot to mention on yesterdays post, that we heard RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES at the banding station.
Totals for 9/29:
American Redstart 5
Magnolia Warbler 2
Northern Parula 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Palm Warbler 2 (1 western race, 1 yellow
race)
Cape May Warbler 1 first of the season
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 only 2 ??
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 first of the season (all
females)
Eastern Phoebe 4 many around today
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Bicknell's Thrush 1 first of the season
Swainson's Thrush 2
Gray Catbird 37 they're here
Northern Cardinal 2
Brown Thrasher 3
TOTAL-------------------------------- 73
Hope we have birds tomorrow! We have a large high school group coming. Makes
giving presentations so much easier when we have birds!
Cheers,
Jethro Runco
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory
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