Happy faces and a bag of new bird bags – thanks Irene!! -DO
As I was walking around “the circuit” – the one-kilometer trail leading to the net lanes – I toyed with the idea of what percentage of the World’s population was aware that this was Earth Day and what it means. Sadly, I don’t think the number is very high; in fact, I would suggest that it is abysmally small. Most people really don’t give a damn. Very concerning! But I can say that the group of folks at the banding lab these days is of a different ilk – interested in and concerned about the natural world around them. And although not in the majority, they are refreshing – especially the young folks that come out to learn and to make a difference. They help temper my cynicism…and pessimism.
Liam, Eila, and Nola – the next generation of Baggers. -JET
Today’s crew of young people – skilled, knowledgeable and a lot of fun. -DOL
It was sooo nice not to have to deal with rain today! Parts of the trails and many net lanes are quagmires and will take many days of sunshine to dry out. Greg and Faye (and some of the young baggers) spent a good part of their morning (and the last of our wood chips) fixing Net Lane 8 which was both a challenge and a danger being on a slope. The good news, however, was that Joshua Thorne set a new World record score on #8 with his full-blown wipeout with a half twist. The fact that he stuck the landing brought him an almost perfect score of 9.9. The laying down of wood chips means that his record is now unassailable. Congratulations Josh!
Greg oversees a work crew – getting the last of the wood chips ready to put on Net lane 8. -FAS
Net lane 8 – safe again. -FAS
Birding-wise it was another slow day. I was hoping to see the first Common Loons of the year (it’s that time!) but none went by. And other than a Myrtle Warbler back along the Fox Den Trail and a couple of White-throated Sparrows in the tangles there were few migrants evident.
Banded 29:
The “moustache” tells you this flicker is a male. -FAS
1 Northern Flicker
3 Tree Swallows
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2nd Brown Thrasher of the migration. -FAS
1 Brown Thrasher
2 Chipping Sparrows
1 Field Sparrow
4 Song Sparrows
1 Swamp Sparrow
2 Red-winged Blackbirds
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
11 American Goldfionches
ET’s: 48 spp.
Photos:
The trails and net lanes are VERY muddy. We need some dry weather and sunshine. -DO
Stumpy!! This Blue Jay was originally banded in the Fall of 2015 as an adult bird. Despite having only 1 leg it has done very well. -CB
Stumpy and friend. -CB
Tufted Titmice are making themselves known right now – setting out territories. -ABC
You can see why it used to be called “yellow-shafted”. -FAS
Rick