I wish I could report that warblers have been dripping from the trees but it would be a lie. In fact, there hasn’t been much to report on. The trees and shrubs are yet to break out into the “green haze” that portends the explosion of life in the forest, bringing with it the plethora of insects that will fuel the migrants on their way. We need warmer temperatures. Still, we get glimmers of what is to come. Yesterday we encountered 3 “new” species for the year: Gray Catbird (banded), Eastern White-crowned Sparrow (banded), and Warbling Vireo. Today we encountered 5 “new” species: Nashville Warbler (banded), Chimney Swift, Traill’s Flycatcher, Veery, and Bobolink. So they’re coming….but slowly, one good bird at a time.
May 5th; Banded 16:
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Gray Catbird
1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
1 Eastern White-crowned Sparrow
5 Red-winged Blackbirds
4 Brown-headed Cowbirds
3 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 43 spp.
May 6th; Banded 17:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Traill’s Flycatcher
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Eastern Bluebird
1 Gray Catbird
1 Nashville Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Field Sparrow
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 Swamp Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
1 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
2 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 52 spp.
Rick