May 26th

Change was definitely in the air at Ruthven Park today, and it sounded remarkably like the beating of a jillion little mosquito wings. The aerial armada of winged bloodsuckers was out in full force, with low-laying, sheltered areas being particularly unpleasant to venture into. Unfortunately, with the unsettled weather (through the morning we had rain, clear sky, high winds, and a thunder storm) these sites were where the birds were found…

The weather front brought a number of new migrants with it, including for following species which were new for the season: Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Grey-Cheeked Thrush, Blackpoll Warbler, and Northern Parula.

The number of banded birds would have been much higher if the nets did not have to be closed during periods of downpour. Blackpoll Warblers in particular were very numerous along the Carolinian Trail with a few other species such as Bay-Breasted Warbler, and Blackburnian Warbler mixed in.

Despite a hurried census 70 species were recorded on the day.

Banded: 39
American Goldfinch 3
Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher 3
Northern Parula 1
American Redstart 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Eastern Wood Pewee 1
Alder Flycatcher 1
House Wren 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Red-Eyed Vireo 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Grey-Cheeked Thrush 1
White-Throated Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Swainson’s Thrush 1
Cedar Waxwing 4
Baltimore Oriole 4
Grey Catbird 3
Blue Jay 1
Common Grackle 1

Retrapped: 18
Yellow Warbler 2
House Wren 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Eastern Wood Pewee 2 (both banded in 2005 and not encountered since – one was a MAPS bird)
Downy Woodpecker 1
Brown-Headed Cowbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 5
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 1

B

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May 25th

Another beautiful day at Ruthven with a plethora of visitors. Again the banding was a little slow but the diversity of birds around was still high with 76 species being recorded, including a couple of Common Mergansers floating in the river in front of the mansion.

The 2nd Burlington Scout Troop took on the unenviable job of removing a mountain of invasive garlic mustard from the vicinity of one of our net lanes. I suspect they also removed a few of our very plentiful supply of ticks. Thanks guys. Your efforts are very much appreciated.

Banded: 23
Wilson’s Warbler 1
American Goldfinch 2
American Redstart 1
House Wren 3
Black-Capped Chickadee 2 (one was a recently fledged bird)
Eastern Phoebe 2
Yellow Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Grey Catbird 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 1

Retrapped: 15
American Goldfinch 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Orchard Oriole 1
Brown-Headed Cowbird 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 1

B

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May 24th

The Ruthven Park Bird Banding Station was a hive of activity today as many people took advantage of the glorious sunny weather to come and visit. With so many helping hands around I was left with very little to do other than open and close the nets, bask at the picnic table while eating wonderful cake and brownies (thanks Faye and Marg), and pretend to make observations of diurnal migrants.

Given the sunny weather the banding was, not unexpectedly, slow but there were a wide variety of species around to entertain even the most jaded observer. A total of 71 species were recorded during the day including the season’s first Red-Shouldered Hawk.

Banded: 26
Magnolia Warbler 1
American Goldfinch 2
Yellow Warbler 2
Black-Throated Blue Warbler 1
Traill’s Flycatcher 1
Ovenbird 1
Red-Eyed Vireo 1
Eastern White-Crowned Sparrow 2
Swainson’s Thrush 2
Song Sparrow 1
Grey Catbird 4
Baltimore Oriole 1
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 1
American Robin 2
Black-Billed Cuckoo 1
European Starling 1
Common Grackle 1
Blue Jay 1

Retrapped: 18
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 7
House Wren 1
Brown-Headed Cowbird 5
Baltimore Oriole 3
Grey Catbird 1

B

Pictures from May 24th, taken by Pete Scholtens:

Ben with a Catbird.

Caleb with a Catbird.

Caleb with a Swainson’s Thrush.

Jonathan with a Cowbird.

Hannah with a Magnolia Warbler.

Marg with a Bluejay.

Richard Joos and Jonathan with a Yellow Warbler.

A few pictures sent by Faye Socholotiuk:

This Black Swallowtail showed up on Saturday.

This Ovenbird was banded on Saturday.

A couple of photos contrasting the look of an adult male Orchard Oriole (first photo), and a second year (born last summer) male Orchard Oriole (second photo).

Faye also sent a bunch of photos from earlier dates which I will post in the photo gallery soon.

Margaret Heslin, who runs the Toronto Bird Observatory Blog, sent some great photos from her May 24th visit.

A Black-billed Cuckoo, banded on Saturday.

A Pearl Crescent who showed up on Saturday.

There are more pictures coming tomorrow!