David Brewer with his new book: “Birds New To Science”. David will be the guest speaker at our AGM on Saturday, April 28th, starting around 12:30.
After a couple of dismal days (weather- and banding-wise), today held some promise. Last evening the winds were out of the SW backing through the night to the NE. Birds would move on the SW wind – and they have to get going. A lot of time has been lost due to the cold.
American Robin -SEF
Although we didn’t band appreciably more birds than normal we banded a hell of a lot more than we’ve done in the past 2 days! But the interesting thing was that our species total of birds encountered (seen and banded) rose to over 40 with four “new” species for the year: Double-crested Cormorant, Sandhill Crane, Caspian Tern, and Swamp Sparrow. Things are on the move….at least until tomorrow’s ice storm.
This male Brown-headed Cowbird was colour-banded at the University of Western several years ago and released at the end of the Summer. It returned to Ruthven almost right away (within 24 hours). It will be returning to Western for further studies.
April 11; Banded 6:
2 American Tree Sparrows
1 Song Sparrow
2 Dark-eyed Juncos
1 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 34 spp. Fox Sparrow. An early migrant…..and one of my favourites. -SEF
April 12; Banded 3:
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
1 Fox Sparrow
1 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 35 spp. Golden-crowned Kinglets (like this male) have been moving through in small numbers. -SEF
April 13; Banded 23:
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
2 American Tree Sparrows
8 Song Sparrows
1 Swamp Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
4 Brown-headed Cowbirds
6 American Goldfinches
Swamp Sparrow. Note the rufous shoulder patch.
ET’s: 44 spp.
Rick