We did it! We shattered the old April high for banded birds by over 20 birds! New total for April is 692! Congratulations for everyone that helped this month.
But the fun has just begun! Two more new species returned to the park today, Yellow Warbler, and Rose Breasted Grosbeak. Some Myrtle Warblers were seen in the dogwood and seven Nashville Warblers were banded today!
Banded 36:
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 House Wren
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 American Robin
7 Nashville Warblers
1 Chipping Sparrow
2 Field Sparrows
1 Swamp Sparrow
6 White Throated Sparrows
1 Red Winged Blackbird
9 American Goldfinches
Retrapped 13:
1 Hairy Woodpecker
3 Downy Woodpeckers
1 American Robins
2 Yellow Warblers
2 Song Sparrows
4 American Goldfinches
The two Retrapped Yellow Warblers were banded at Ruthven last year. I wanted to welcome them “home†to the park, where they will most likely be setting up their nests and raising a new broods as soon as they recover form their long trip. And just where did they spend the winter? Mexico? The Caribbean? It still amazes me that these tiny birds can find the very spot where they nested last year.
The trillium buds are just breaking, and Trout lilies both yellow, and the less common white ones are in bloom. The first dandelions (unfortunately cursed by some, but I like ‘em) are showing up grass.
Loretta