Howdy all,
Today was great, yesterday was not. Yesterday we only banded 15 birds with
CANADA WARBLER being the most exciting. We did catch our first TRAILL'S
FLYCATCHER of the season (that's either a Willow or Alder)-it didn't sing in my
hand!
ha ha But over all, it was a slow day with the most abundant bird banded was
COMMON GRACKLE. Joy eh?
Anyway, today was much better! We banded our first SCARLET TANAGER of the
season today, and since we didn't catch any last year, it was also a first for
the banding station! A beautiful, orange second year male. We also, and
finally,
banded our first ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. And for the third day in a round we
banded a CANADA WARBLER! I am liking that! And finally, it happened, but of
course
I was to busy to take pictures, but I caught four different thrushes on the
same net run! BICKNELL'S, GRAY-CHEEKED, SWAINSON'S, and VEERY. I have always
wanted a side-by-side picture of a Bicknell's and Gray-cheeked. Hated to have
to
pass on it today. It was a big Gray-cheeked and a small Bicknell's too.
Today's Bicknell's was our third of the season! The top captures today easily
goes
to AMERICAN REDSTARTS and COMMON YELLOWTHROATS. Banded 19 of each.
Here are the totals for 5/21:
Magnolia Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Canada Warbler 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Traill's Flycatcher 1 Willow or Alder
American Goldfinch 1
Veery 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1
Gray Catbird 1
Common Grackle 4
TOTAL ---------------------------- 15
5/22:
Magnolia Warbler 2
American Redstart 19
Canada Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 19
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Northern Waterthrush 1
Acadian Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Indigo Bunting 1 a stunning after second year
male!
Swainson's Thrush 2
Veery 1
Bicknell's Thrush 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush 3
Scarlet Tanager 1 what a beauty!
Gray Catbird 2
Common Grackle 1
TOTAL ------------------------------- 62
As a side note, I might not be at the banding station either tomorrow (23rd)
or the 24th. I am hoping to make it to NC for a pelagic, but its all a wait
and see right now. Shannon said she would cover for me so someone will be
there.
Cheers,
Jethro Runco
Head songbird bander
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory
