August 22nd
I greeted the dawn along with a fresh hatch of mosquitoes – the latter of which promoted a series of contortions and self-slapping more often found in Eastern European folk dancing.

The hot and humid weather stifled much bird movement but a few interesting migrants were in evidence. The first Lesser Yellowlegs and a small flock of Rusty Blackbirds were observed, and the year’s first Red-Headed Woodpecker was found foraging around the mansion.

Banded: 21
House Wren 1
Traill’s Flycatcher 1
Ovenbird 1
White-Breasted Nuthatch 4 (a family group)
Song Sparrow 9
Downy Woodpecker 1
Grey Catbird 2
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 1

Retrapped: 9
House Wren 2
Eastern Wood Pewee 1
Song Sparrow 2
Grey Catbird 1
Northern Cardinal 1
American Robin 2

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August 19th

A surprisingly quiet day following an evening of heavy rain and high winds. The diversity of birds banded was high although there didn’t seem to be really that much flitting around. Highlights were the fall season’s first Magnolia Warbler and Ruthven’s second ever Eastern Screech Owl – another young bird, this time caught on the river side of the property.

Banded: 24
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher 2
Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher 1
Blue-Winged Warbler 1
Traill’s Flycatcher 2
Northern Waterthrush 2
House Wren 3
Eastern Wood Pewee 1
Black-Capped Chickadee 2
Red-Eyed Vireo 1
Song Sparrow 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Grey Catbird 1
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 1
Northern Cardinal 1
American Robin 1
Blue Jay 1
Eastern Screech Owl 1

Retrapped: 5
Black-Capped Chickadee 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Song Sparrow 1
Blue Jay 1

On Sunday, along Regional Road 17 about 1 km south of Cayuga, there were 3 Sandhill Cranes foraging in a grassy field just below road level.

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