It’s a good thing it was Clean-up Day at Ruthven – it gave us something to do. For the past several days high-level winds out of the north have flooded us with cold temperatures and adverse flying conditions resulting in little new bird movement into the area. So rather than band, I got stuck picking garlic mustard. [Actually, we have been blessed if you will, with a very willing crew of people – Gail Collins, Karen Walton, and Chicky Potter – who have picked bushels of the noxious weed over the years resulting in a large area around the Mansion that is free of the plant and, therefore, graced with native wildflowers.]

We are still waiting to see/hear our first Yellow Warbler (now two days later than last year), although I did hear one just on the outskirts of York on my way home. Things are supposed to warm up in the next couple of days and the winds shift so…..we’ll see then.

Most exciting sighting was of a Red Fox. I haven’t seen one at Ruthven for several years – their numbers crashed back then. Perhaps they are recovering and will be able to keep the squirrels in check.

Banded 10:
1 Tree Swallow
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
3 Field Sparrows
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
4 American Goldfinches

Retrapped 13:
2 Tree Swallows
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 House Wren
1 Eastern Bluebird
2 Chipping Sparrows
2 Field Sparrows
1 Song Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
1 American Goldfinch

ET’s: 46 spp.
Rick