Howdy all,
Well, today is hard to put into words. Just when you thinks you have seen it
all, days like today appear.
So on our 8:45am net run, after a very, very slow start to the day, we got a
HUGE surprise! Literally!
One of the volunteers here went to check a set of our nets and there it was!
A GREAT BLUE HERON in the net!! When he saw what was in the net, he quickly
went to find me. Obviously this was a two person job to get this big fella out
of the net!
We actually got the bird out of the net quickly (just to big to get tangled).
The short time that we had the bird for processing, the bird was very calm
and docile. After a few pictures, (which you can see at
www.kiptopeke.blogspot.com ) we let this young heron go.
Also it seems totally unimaginable, this is actually the second Great Blue
Heron to be banded here! The first one came 24 Oct 1969!
As for the rest of the day, obviously it was all down hill after that bird!
Here are the totals for the day 11/15:
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Field Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Tufted Titmouse 2 plus five recaptures; normal
season we only band 6!
Northern Cardinal 1
Yellow-shafted Flicker 1
Blue Jay 5 so far this season-53
banded, only TWO last year!
Great Blue Heron 1 first since 1969!
TOTAL ------------------------------- 29
Cheers,
Jethro Runco
