[va-richmond-general] MAPS OPENER-Dutch Gap Chester, VA. 28 May 2011

Yesterday marked our 4th season-opener at Dutch Gap for MAPS' banding. We opened at 0530 and closed at 1130. The cloud-cover was welcome and the rain held off until we were on our way home. We netted 40 birds yesterday with 17 being recaps. 12 of 17 recaps were Prothonotary warblers. We netted an 8 year old female Prothonotary as well as 2, 4 year olds and 2 fledglings from the first round of breeding this season. There were 2 unbanded Prothonotary's which is a rare thing to find at DGap!

 

Also of note was a Downy Woodpecker we banded in 2007 as an at least 2 year old bird which we netted today meaning this resident bird is at least 6 years old! Much bird song in the air today, unfortunatey none of the Yellow-throated warblers, Indigo Buntings or Orchard Orioles came down to the nets but it looks like a White-tailed deer did (grrr). Adult and young Barred Owls were calling much of the day as well as the calls of Osprey and Bald Eagles.

 

Here's the list of what we netted and a few images.

Prothonotary warbler 14-12 recaps and 2 new -(attached photo taken from a canoe survey)

Acadian Flycatcher 1

Northern Cardinal 12 and 1 recap

Brown-headed Cowbird 2 ( yes we band them too)

Carolina Wren 4 (1 juvenile)  and 2 recaps

Downy Woodpecker 1 juvenile and and 1 recap

Brown Thrasher

Blue Jay

 

 

Looks like the start of another great season.

Julie Kacmarcik and the MAPS's warriors.