A good day to end. The heat hit like a big wave and was made worse by the humidity. The sort of day you didn’t want to have birds hanging in the nets for any length of time. And there weren’t a lot of birds – a few late migrants, enough to impress the 86(!) kindergarten kids and their folks, but not much else. After 61 straight days, I must say that I was glad to close up for the last time. But it’s been a heck of a run!! After today’s 22 new birds, we finished with a new record of 2,034 birds of 90 species! There were lots of highlights: first banding of a Clay-coloured Sparrow; banding of a Hooded Warbler (only our 2nd); sighting of a Cerulean Warbler; a record high day (144 birds banded).
And although these numbers are gratifying, the thing I remember most is the people and the good times they/you made happen. Thanks to you all:
The unflappable Loretta Mousseau.
Nancy and Faye discussing the finer points of....ornithology.
Christine's birthday today and what a way to celebrate it!
The Blessed Sisters of Mercy arrive with a food cache. No one went hungry today.
The "Whiz Kids": Zakhar, Caleb, Ben, Ezra, Giovanni, Hugh, Jonathan, Hannah (l. to r.)
Bird enthusiasts being bird enthusiasts: Elaine, Maggie, Peter, Jeannie, Lynn and Michael
Chris and #202 - his BFF (Best Friend Forever)
The Assembly Line: Chris, Nancy, Christine, and David Brewer (l. to r.)
Katherine getting a handle on formulating the day's data.
Handyman Bob Donald putting the finishing touches on the office.
Teegan with parents Lorraine and Quentin.
Rob Mueller and Baltimore Oriole
Dorothy and daughter Joanne, both keen birders, making the Spring Pilgrimage to Ruthven.
Irene Schmidt celebrating her 91st birthday with a Magnolia Warbler and Betsy Smith, Ruthven president.
Marylene Boulet and Loretta Mousseau - a flashback to the "good old days".
Joanne with a gustatory surprise.
Our two newest scribes: Carol and Daniusha
Peter Scholtens after skiing Net 10 Hill - judges awarded him a 9.5 for artistic presentation.
My wife Marg - demonstrating it's like riding a bike.
Ben (with Mom Stephanie) holding infamous Chipping Sparrow #202.
Angie and Ann holding a pair of Blackpoll Warblers - the first we banded this year.
Part of today's record-breaking team: Bronwen, Liz and Nancy (l. to r.)
Dr. Oliver Love kicking back after a long day in the field. - B. Zuberi
Sandy, Natalie and Kate - pedagogical staff.
We had one very strange (to me) encounter this morning: I first heard and then saw a Winter Wren over by the cemetery. These birds go through in early to mid-April and then you don’t see them again until the later Fall. What was going on with this one!?
Banded 22:
1 Eastern Wood Pewee
1 Traill’s Flycatcher
1 Gray Catbird
6 Cedar Waxwings
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Northern Cardinal
4 Indigo Buntings
2 Song Sparrows
2 Orchard Orioles
1 American Goldfinches
Retrapped 10:
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 House Wren
1 Gray Catbird
1 Yellow Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
4 Brown-headed Cowbirds
1 Orchard Oriole
ET’s: 52 spp.
Rick
*sniff sniff* I am so going to miss the daily blog. It’s become a part of my morning ritual, have my coffee and read the blog. I look forward to the day it starts up again, and thanks for including us in the last post for this migration. Have a great summer and we’ll see you in the fall.
I don’t know how you did all the early mornings and also kept up with daily blogging! Rick, you make Ruthven Park a very special place to visit and I am not surprised at your long list of fans. And all the other regulars who work with you such as the Furbers, Faye, Liz and others I do not know as well make your team a winner. Hope you have a great summer.