FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] First Landing SP banding 4/3 and 4/4:Parula, Gnatcatchers

[Jethrorunco@xxxxxxx]

Howdy all,

The last two days have been rather disappointing. Yesterday the rain kept the 
nets closed most of the morning. But we did catch our first NORTHERN PARULA. 
It was a recapture, however! It was a bird that we banded at First Landing 
last spring, the 20th of April to be precise. It was aged as an after second 
year 
last year! What that means, is that this bird is rather old! And beautiful! 
Today, the wind was a major problem again, so we could only run a few nets. 
Only caught five birds of two species today. 
Of an interesting note, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS are everywhere here! It's the 
biggest push of them I have ever seen. Yesterday, in-between rain showers, we 
saw a flock of 25+ Gnatcatchers flying over the stoplight on Shore Dr. that 
leads into the park. Another 15+ in the trees and bushes in the maintenance 
area. Today there were at least 20 in and around the banding station. They are 
the 
dominate bird at the banding station today.
NORTHERN PARULAS were in quite a few places around the park today, and one 
lone BLUE-HEADED VIREO was heard singing today as well.
Outside of birds, we found a large EASTERN COTTONMOUTH on the High Dune 
Trail! It was the first one I have seen inside the park. Also seen today was a 
GREAT PURPLE HAIRSTREAK. Yesterday we found what we have tentatively called an 
ATLANTIC COAST SLIMY SALAMANDER. 

Totals for 4/3:
Winter Wren                  1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher    1
Yellow-rumped Warbler   1
TOTAL ----------------------    3

Totals for 4/4:
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     3
Hermit Thrush                 2
TOTAL ----------------------    5


Cheers,
Jethro Runco
head bander 
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory