Debbie Lindeman chased up at least 3 of these Fox Sparrows while doing the census – a nice addition any time.
Exactly half of the 58 birds we’ve banded over the past 2 days have been American Goldfinches. Without them it would have been pretty boring. They are taking advantage of the feeders to get the energy they need to finish their moults and pack on some fat for further Fall flight. Although some of these birds (in fact, many) will spend the Winter in southern Ontario, some will head out for distant places: some of our banded goldfinches have been recovered in Long Island, West Virginia, and New Orleans(!).
The growth on this young Hermit Thrush’s bill was a cause for concern when we first banded it about a week ago. When we recaptured it today it had gained five and a half grams(!) and is doing well.
The thing that strikes you now is the lack of diurnal migration. Gone are the large flocks of robins, blackbirds and cedar waxwings (although the number of waxwings was greatly reduced this year to start with). Now we’re looking for “winter birds” – sparrows, juncos and, hopefully, maybe some northern finches.
We will continue owl banding tonight and Friday night for sure. We will keep you informed going forward (it tends to be dependent on weather and bander fatigue).
November 2nd; Banded 41:
1 Hairy Woodpecker
2 Downy Woodpeckers
1 Tufted Titmouse
2 Black-capped Chickadees
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 American Robin
9 American Tree Sparrows
2 White-throated Sparrows
3 Dark-eyed Juncos
19 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 38 spp.
November 3rd; Banded 17:
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Northern Cardinal
2 American Tree Sparrows
1 Fox Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
10 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 33 spp.