[The reason behind the title: since the season started on April 1st, each of the 3 days that Loretta was slated to band on was a rain day.]
This morning started off cold with leftover snow from yesterday still covering the ground. The sky was grey to start, but by 10 o’clock the sun was shining, and the snow had all but disappeared – and good riddance to it too. No one is very happy about snow in April, especially insectivores like the Tree Swallows.
The wind picked up as the morning progressed, and I was surprised that the “feeder” nets continued to catch birds, even in the gusty west wind. The traps were also effective today.
One Purple Finch was banded, and 4 lovely bright males were at the feeder.
An Osprey was suspiciously watching a Bald Eagle, following it at a distance for a bit. Later, on Census, I saw the Osprey in a tree across the river. He stayed put on his perch, but made it clear by “kipping” loudly that he was not happy with me invading privacy.
Only 16 birds were banded, but we were kept busy with27 retraps!

16 Banded Birds:

1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 American Robin
3 Dark-eyed Juncos
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 Purple Finch
9 American Goldfinches

27 Retrapped birds:

1 Eastern Tufted Titmouse
1 Blue Jay
2 Black-capped Chickadees
2 White-breasted Nuthatches
1 American Robin
1 American Tree Sparrow
4 Song Sparrows
8 Dark-eyed Juncos
3 Brown-headed Cowbirds
4 American Goldfinches
One of the Cowbird retraps was banded as a second year bird in May of 2005, and has not been seen until today, making him 5 years old.

Loretta