Happy Fall,
Delayed report on our 4th outing of fall migration banding at Dutch Gap in
Chester. The team was there at 5:45 Friday morning. We were treated to another
beautiful sunrise and the overcast skies were kind in keeping a lot of the sun
at bay.
We had a steady parade of Box turtles all day and formations of Canada Geese
headed on their migratory journeys were heard most of the morning while Garden
spiders continues weaving their webs of tempatation.
Typically our first net run produces 1 or 2 birds...(this is what we experience
in the summer). Friday was truly "thrush" hour. On our 7:20 run we came up with
2 Swainson's and 2 Grey-cheeked Thrushes in our nets. A real treat as we do not
see these birds during our MAPS' sessions.
We netted the expected residents: Carolina Chickadeeez, Carolina Wrens, Brown
Thrasher and our precious Cardinals. Some new and some recaps from the past
season or from years' past. Per usual many teaser birds such as Northern
Flickers, Pileated's and Summer Tanager called from the tree-tops but were
savvy enough to avoid the nets. Common Ravens are also being heard not far from
our station.
Other migratory birds we netted were Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat male and
female and the show-stopper of the day a recap male Prothonotary warbler. This
PROW was first banded out in the old river channel as a nestling May 28, 2010.
Presumably he has made the 2000 mile one way migration to Central America and
back every year since then. His plumage was pristine and he tipped the scales
at 21.8 grams with a body packed with fat to facilitate his arduous flight to
his wintering grounds. In the summer we see weights between 14-17 grams.
This is why we do this! What great information on these birds.
Looks like a cold front will be moving in towards weeks' end...hoping for an
exciting migratory fall-out.
Enjoy the best season of the year!
Here's a few images of the day.
Our station is Pumpkin Spice free :)
JulieKacmarcik
Chester
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SUNRISE at DGAP.jpg
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GCTH.jpg
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SWTH Sept 22 DGAP.jpg
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my tail is growing in...CARW.jpg
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thrush hour.jpg
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PROW Sept 22 DGAP.jpg
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on your way fat, old man.jpg
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pristine plumage.jpg
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COYE lady.jpg
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