We’re thinking that we should be seeing Purple Martins at our nest box array by now….but they have yet to appear. Same with Barn Swallows. I checked the barn across the highway on my way home hoping that they might have taken up residence without flying by the banding area but they hadn’t. Probably this is a good thing as the forecast for the coming week doesn’t look very nice: cold and wet. Poor conditions for insectivores.

It was windy today and the billowing nets weren’t catching much but we still managed to band 29. These included the first Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the year and a small flock of Chipping Sparrows; they weren’t carrying much fat so I’m thinking they might be local birds just returned. There’s lots of food around to maintain them through this coming bad period. I’m not so sure about the kinglets though……

Banded 29:
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Hermit Thrush
2 American Robins
8 Chipping Sparrows
1 Field Sparrow
6 Song Sparrows
1 White-throated Sparrow
5 Dark-eyed Juncos
4 Brown-headed Cowbirds

ET’s: 41 spp.
Rick