It was a nice night, clear and cool, but we managed to attract only 2 owls. Fortunately for most visitors they were caught on only the 2nd round so no one had to stay late to see one.
It was a beautiful morning – crisp and clear with light northerly breeze. Again, there was almost no observable migration and it wasn’t until later in the morning that birds began to move around. (We were late opening a couple of nets due to frost and I think many birds were simply waiting for the sun to heat things up a little.). But once we got going the birds were at the feeders and, unlike yesterday, all around the banding area and we had a pretty good catching/banding day. Again, American Goldfinches made up about half of our catch.
Interestingly, I saw NO soaring raptors today – no eagles, vultures, or buteos. This is the first time since….last Winter(?) However we did get a nice Accipiter – a young male Sharp-shinned Hawk – that went into Net 6 after a chickadee…..which it did NOT get, much to the latters relief.
But when all was said and done, the best part was the picnic provided by Elaine and The Sisters Of Mercy (or is it the Larks?).
Banded 64:
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Mourning Dove
2 Northern Saw-whet Owls (from last night)
1 Downy Woodpecker
4 Black-capped Chickadees
2 Golden-crowned Kinglets
1 Cedar Waxwing
1 Northern Cardinal
5 American Tree Sparrows
2 Fox Sparrows
12 Dark-eyed Juncos
2 House Finches
30 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 29 spp.
Fern Hill Burlington:
Janice reports that they were fairly busy at Fern Hill in Burlington,
Banded 21:
1 Downy Woodpecker
3 Black-capped Chickadees
1 American Robin
5 Dark-eyed Juncos
8 American Goldfinches
3 House Sparrows
ET’s: 19 spp.