Wood Duck, American Wigeon and Mallard in a local cornfield.
It was a pretty slow day….yet again. When we get a “pulse” of weather favourable for migration (mild, southerly winds), the birds pour through but when it changes, especially the wind, the door slams shut and migration slows to a trickle.
This year Northern Pintails are commonly seen flying along the river.
There was a cold northeast wind through the night and into the morning. Frost coated the nets making them harder to open (I didn’t bother with #4 which was heavily coated); and the wind cut through the many layers I was wearing. The temperature didn’t climb above zero until well on into the morning and even then only got to 4.
Mallards, of course, are ubiquitous.
Birds were few and far between – we ended up banding only 12 with 9 retraps. However, we did see two large flocks of Tundra Swans (74 and 64 birds) heading west. And, with Lake Erie frozen, we’re seeing many more ducks than we’re used to seeing…and good variety. Many of the ephemeral ponds in the local cornfields have ducks in them.
These American Robins (female on left, male right) look like brighter versions of an African Thrush.
This African Thrush, a common bird in Kenya, looks like a “washed-out” version of our American Robin.
Banded 12:
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 American Robin
2 Song Sparrows
6 Dark-eyed Juncos
2 American Goldfinches
Rick