A Carolina Wren to spice up the day. -NRF
Dear members,
We are looking forward to our Annual General Meeting this Saturday (April 28) at Ruthven Park.
Visitors are welcome to view our banding activities beginning at 7:00 am, and a bird census hike around Ruthven’s grounds will start at 8:00 am. Tickets for a pizza lunch at noon will be available for purchase throughout the morning, along with tickets for our always-popular bucket raffle. All proceeds support our banding and conservation activities.
Finally (and arguably most importantly!), our business meeting will begin at 1:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and hear about the past year’s banding activities and our future plans. This will be followed up by an engaging presentation by David Brewer, who will speak on the fascinating topic of bird migration.
Dr. David Brewer, one of the best “bird guys” I’ve ever met.
It will be a wonderful day of activities and we hope to see you there!
The Haldimand Bird Observatory Board
Meeting Location:
Ruthven Park National Historic Site
243 Haldimand Hwy 54
Cayuga, Ontario, N0A 1E0
(905) 772-0560
American Goldfinches are moulting into their brilliant alternative (or breeding) plumage – a nice contrast to the drab, leafless vegetation. They are pouring through right now. -LEO
Banding at Ruthven:
There was a light coating of frost on all of the nets and poles this morning causing frustration and a delay in opening the nets. You just have to wait until the sun’s warmth melts the small beads of ice and then very carefully, work your way along the net to tease it open.
A very busy morning with a large group (over 50) students moving through the banding lab. Thanks to the team of volunteers that were here helping today. They make any day a great day. Thanks everyone!
Banded 25:
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Carolina Wren
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Red-winged Blackbird
6 Brown-headed Cowbird
12 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 44
Photo Gallery:
The face-on look of a White-throated Sparrow. -LEO
Chipping Sparrows are singing and setting out territories. -LEO
Mourning Doves are around in good numbers. -LEO
Karen and Rick going over some aspects of aging and sexing birds. -LEO
We don’t seem to be able to put a dent into the Cowbird population we have. -LEO
Nancy