April 18th – Juncos!

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We banded 2 White-throats this morning. Hopefully just the tip of the coming iceberg. -S. LaFleur

Birds are on the move and none more so at the moment at Ruthven than Dark-eyed Juncos! They were everywhere around the grounds. We banded 20 and estimated that there were at least 80 around. Interestingly, half of them were “old” birds (i.e., in their 3rd year or more) and most of these were males. Later in the migration, the age/sex composition will change: young males and females will come through.

Banded 54:
3 Mourning Doves
1 Eastern Phoebe
1 Tufted Titmouse
1 Brown Creeper
5 Golden-crowned Kinglets
1 Hermit Thrush
1 American Robin
6 American Tree Sparrows
4 Song Sparrows
1 Swamp Sparrow
2 White-throated Sparrows
20 Dark-eyed Juncos
4 Brown-headed Cowbirds
4 American Goldfinches

ET’s: 45 spp.
Photo Gallery:

Stunning male Eastern Bluebird. A pair of bluebirds is vying for one of the nest boxes near the parking lot. -S. LaFleur

Hard to find due to their cryptic colouring and behaviour, these birds are likely more common than we think.

Eastern Phoebe. We counted 4 today. Yesterday two were hunkered down in the sheltered area by Rick’s Rill.

Male Golden-crowned Kinglet. We have yet to see a Ruby-crowned.

Singing Northern Cardinals brighten the task of opening the nets before dawn. -S. LaFleur

Brilliant “white morph” White-throated Sparrow.

Rick

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