Cool cloudy weather made for slow birding on Sunday morning. Sun came out just as we were closing up the nets. Only new species spotted was a Purple Martin, who didn’t stick around. Two visiting birders provided an intriguing report of what sounded very much like a White-winged Dove, but unfortunately the bird flew west across the river before its identity could be confirmed. They also spotted two Bald Eagles overhead. A few Common Loons were seen heading north, but otherwise local breeders and stopovers dominated the birding scene. I enjoyed my morning at Ruthven with the assistance of Rick who opened nets and reminded me of the multi-tasking requirements of being the BIC [Bander-in-Charge] for the day, Peter Thoem who did the census with a small entourage in tow, and Elisabeth van Stam who helped out as a bander in training.

Banded 18:
3 Mourning Dove
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Field Sparrow
2 Chipping Sparrows
4 American Goldfinches
6 Dark-eyed Juncos
1 Song Sparrow

Retrapped 20:
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Eastern Bluebird
1 American Robin
2 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Northern Cardinal
1 Field Sparrow
2 Song Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
7 Chipping Sparrows
2 American Goldfinch

ET’s: 42 spp.

Audrey