A cold April 29th (pictures now added)

It was a couple of degrees below freezing during the night; the nets (and fields) were frosted and the poles were iced up and slick making opening somewhat frustrating. Although the “dawn chorus” was intense, it did not include many migrants – the White-throated Sparrows that should have been singing had a poor showing. I thought this might have been due to the cold but…no, there just weren’t that many around. At least until the early afternoon. After we closed up the nets, we took a leisurely stroll around the Fox Den Trail. This is the best time to be out: the leaves are just coming out on the trees; wildflowers are blooming; and the mosquitoes, which can be terrible at times (this is a slough forest after all), have not yet emerged. Around the junction of this trail and the Carolinian Trail we came upon a flock of 15-20 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 4-5 Western Palm Warblers, all feeding high in the trees, appearing to be picking insects from the opening buds. Wonderful to behold!

Jeff MacLeod and I were helped by Elaine Serena and Shirley Klement; they come fairly regularly to help out. We think other visitors should take heed of some of the pictures Jeff will put on the blog shortly – they show a well-stocked picnic brunch which these two ladies always bring when they come. There’s a lot to be learned here! Remember: a fed bander is a happy bander. Although many of you bring a muffin here, a cookie there – and we greatly appreciate that – a bander is only truly happy when he can eat to satiation.

When the Common Loons fly over on their way north, we usually see them starting about 45-60 minutes after sunrise and for about an hour after that. This morning, one went by before the sun was even up – must have been anxious to get to his/her destination.

Banded 19:
1 Blue Jay
2 Black-capped Chickadees
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 American Robin
1 Blue-winged Warbler
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Western Palm Warbler
3 Chipping Sparrows
1 Field Sparrow
2 White-throated Sparrows
2 Red-winged Blackbirds
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
2 American Goldfinches

Retrapped 19:
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Yellow Warbler
4 Song Sparrows
3 White-throated Sparrows
1 Dark-eyed Junco
7 Brown-headed Cowbirds
1 American Goldfinch

ET’s: 53 species

Pictures from the day:

A Blue-winged warbler, banded today.
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A Yellow Warbler, banded today.
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This Black-capped Chickadee had an interesting eye condition. It seemed that the area around his eyes was swollen, and lacking plumage. We haven’t seen this before.
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Most of the trees and bushes around Ruthven are just starting to fill in. This one is particularly bright.
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Rick, working his way to satiation.
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Elaine and Shirley, wondering why Rick feels at liberty to eat all of their food.
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An essential part of bander training–balancing on the dead tree, 20 feet above the ground.
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Rick found a Mallard nest close to the river. Do you see it?
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A little closer view.
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