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.
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.
April 11; Banded 6:
2 American Tree Sparrows
1 Song Sparrow
2 Dark-eyed Juncos
1 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 34 spp.
April 12; Banded 3:
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
1 Fox Sparrow
1 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 35 spp.
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
ET’s: 44 spp.
Rick