April 10th & 11th – Riding The Storm – Haldimand Bird Observatory

Yesterday was warm and very windy. The wind bringing in a violent thunder storm that hit late in the afternoon and persisted into the evening. Through the night we got intermittent showers – some of them quite hard. But the wind, which was southerly, was good for migration so many birds set out when they got an opportunity. And I’m sure some got forced down when they ran into the showers that greeted me around 5 AM. And what a difference from one day to the next: on the 10th Mike banded 15 while today I banded 63 including a lot of different sparrows: Song, Swamp, Fox, White-throated, Field…..and juncos (if you count them as sparrows).

Field Sparrow - one of 7 sparrow species handled today (if you count juncos). — Field Sparrow – one of 7 sparrow species handled today (if you count juncos).

Reptiles and amphibians are making themselves known. Chorus Frogs have been singing for some time now. They were joined today by American Toads, Spring Peepers, and Tree Frogs. Of course, these provide food for others. On the weekend a visitor out on the Carolinian Trail came upon a “snake ball” – a knot of copulating Garter Snakes. And this morning I watched a very large Snapping Turtle shuffle along the Saw-whet Owl net lanes in the flats and into the big pond below Net 8.

A "snake ball" - mass of copulating Garter Snakes. Ah.....Spring is in the air. -C. Lewis — A “snake ball” – mass of copulating Garter Snakes. Ah…..Spring is in the air. -C. Lewis

April 10th; Banded 15:
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 American Robin
1 Field Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
9 American Goldfinches

ET’s: 39 spp.

April 11th; Banded 63:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Tree Swallow
2 Tufted Titmice
2 Black-capped Chickadees
1 Winter Wren
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
2 American Robins
4 Field Sparrows
1 Fox Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
2 Swamp Sparrows
3 White-throated Sparrows
6 Dark-eyed Juncos
11 Brown-headed Cowbirds
2 Purple Finches
18 American Goldfinches
1 House Sparrow

ET’s: 41 spp.
Ruthven Photos:

We banded 2 new Tufted Titmice today; this one tried to take a piece of Marg's finger. — We banded 2 new Tufted Titmice today; this one tried to take a piece of Marg’s finger.

The Tree Swallows are busily chasing each other right now - and sometimes don't see the net. — The Tree Swallows are busily chasing each other right now – and sometimes don’t see the net.

Male Ruby-crowned Kinglet (the red crest is just visible).

Male Purple Finch - stunning! — Male Purple Finch – stunning!

4th colour-banded cowbird caught this year - all were involved in behavioural studies at Western in the past 2 years and were released at the end of the study. Despite their time in the London area, Ruthven is their home. — 4th colour-banded cowbird caught this year – all were involved in behavioural studies at Western in the past 2 years and were released at the end of the study. Despite their time in the London area, Ruthven is their home.

Rick

Katherine teaching the JK's about birds. — Katherine teaching the JK’s about birds.

Fern Hill School:
While Mike was holding down the fort at Ruthven on the 10th I was at the Oakville campus helping with their Field Studies program. The strong wind was a deterrent but we still managed to band 18 birds:
1 Mourning Dove
4 Black-capped Chickadees
2 American Robins
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Song Sparrow
2 Dark-eyed Juncos
1 Red-winged Blackbirds
6 Brown-headed Cowbirds (as you can see, cowbirds both here and at Ruthven are going to have a significant impact on breeding passerines.)

ET’s: 29 spp. (including the 1st Osprey and Chipping Sparrows of the year.