[va-richmond-general] MAPS' Opening Day Dutch Gap May 23, 2009 Chester VA

Awesome start to the MAPS' season at Dutch Gap this morning. A beautiful sunrise as we opened nets and watched 2 turkeys cross the trail and a deer bounding through the woods. 35 birds were netted. Of the 35 , 19 were recaptured birds. Of a very exciting note to our team was the recapture of a Yellow-throated warbler. A bird more often heard then seen especially in the nets. We originally caught this sweet little girl May 25, 2008 in Net 6. This year we recaptured this neo-tropical migrant almost one year to the day in Net 8-which is a short hop from Net 6. She had a full brood patch giving us good evidence of her breeding status. Very cool-makes the 4 am wake up call a little easier.

Most of our recaps were Prothonotary warblers, Northern Cardinals and Indigo Buntings. Here is the list of the species netted today and a couple pictures of our little Yellow-throated sweetie.

REVI- Red-eyed Vireo

NOCA-Northern Cardinal

INBU-Indigo Bunting

OVEN-Ovenbird

DOWO-Downy Woodpecker

PROW-Prothonotary Warbler

CARW-Carolina Wren

ETTI-Eastern Tufted Titmouse

YTWA-Yellow-throated Warbler

COYE-Common Yellowthroat

CACH-Carolina Chickadee

Thanks to all of the sleep-deprived MAPS's team for set-up and starting the year with a great day!

Julie Kacmarcik

Chester