This blog is probably starting to sound like a broken record (and if you understand this analogy then you’re really dating yourself). Opening nets under a brilliant moon…..cold early morning temperatures…..clear skies…..warming up by mid morning….and VERY SLOW BANDING.
The only birds we encountered that were likely to continue north were a single Philadelphia Vireo and Magnolia Warbler. Every other bird we banded was likely a local breeder. They carried no fat. And they were young or SY (Second Year) birds suggesting that they don’t have a territory or mate and are moving around looking for a niche. Either they were too late returning or not strong or “attractive” or tough enough to secure a quality territory or mate.
We have another 5 days of banding to go but I’m not expecting much to change (although I would love to be pleasantly surprised). But there’s no question that the vast bulk of the migration has moved through and….we missed it. For whatever reason(s).
Banded 19:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Eastern Wood Pewee
1 Eastern Kingbird
1 Blue Jay
2 House Wrens
1 Gray Catbird
1 Warbling Vireo
1 Philadelphia Vireo
2 Yellow Warblers
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal
2 Indigo Buntings
1 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Baltimore Orioles
ET’s: 58 spp.
Rick