Jethro and All,
RBNUs have been reported in much larger-than-normal numbers in PA and NY for
the past couple of weeks, leading some to believe this will be a significant
irruption year. This may or may not be related to a poor seed crop in Canada
this winter, which would normally result in a good irruption of winter finches
as well. I was recently in contact with Ron Pittaway who publishes the annual
Winter Finch Forecast to get his thoughts, and he said that he is currently
gathering the seed crop data and should publish the forecast within a couple of
weeks or so. If this is the case, it might be a fun season ahead!
Take Care,
Jay Keller,
Arlington
-----Original Message-----
From: Jethrorunco@xxxxxxx
Sent: Aug 21, 2007 8:57 PM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Va-bird] Kiptopeke banding 8/21: Red-breasted Nuthatch
Howdy all,
In short, today was slow. Only banded 9. But we did catch two RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES today. Not a bird I really expect to catch in August. So since I
was
gone (out of VA and not really had much email access) were there Red-breasteds
around early this year?? We have had them at the stations, since at least the
13th Aug.
Outside of them, it was pretty slow and humid. I would like to think the
weather is going to change for the cooler, but at this point it seems like a
dream.
Anyway, I think I have decided to quit my banding job and become a rain
maker. Everyone here on the shore tells me about how dry its been all summer.
Only
a few bits of rain in months. I say hogwash. I have only been here 9 days and
it has now rained on three of them. Two good rains, tonight is still pending,
but it has rained some already. At this rate of every three days, I will be
netting for fish by mid October!
Ha ha Its all good! We do need the rain here!
Here are the totals for 8/21:
Field Sparrow 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 3
Yellow-breasted Chat 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
TOTAL ----------------------------- 9
Well, geez, what is tomorrow going to bring. Rain?
Cheers to all,
Jethro Runco
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