This was “take your kid to work day” in Ontario. Now my own kids are already working (and couldn’t give a tinker’s cuss about bird banding) but I still got the chance to enjoy the day when a couple of parents pawned their kids off on me. (Actually, it was a treat….but don’t tell them.) Ben Oldfield has been coming to Ruthven for the past 4 years and Alessandra has been a regular (even skipping school for the opportunity) for the past month. So it was great to spend the day with this youthful energy and enthusiasm. So, years from now, if they turn out great, then you can credit me; if not…..blame their parents.
As for migrating birds: it’s all over but the crying. (Well, almost all over, we still have two days to go, finishing on the 7th). But the crying is warranted: the number of birds and the variety has dropped tremendously. We were talking about it today and were of the opinion that it “feels” like the end of November or December. Even Nancy, that eternal owling optimist, has decided to call it a day…or night – although her 62 owls, 2nd highest total, is quite noteworthy.
November 4th; Banded 31:
1 Blue Jay
1 Black-capped Chickadee
3 Golden-crowned Kinglets
1 Northern Cardinal
1 American Tree Sparrow
4 Fox Sparrows
2 White-throated Sparrows
4 Dark-eyed Juncos
2 House Finches
12 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 27 spp.
November 5th; Banded 20:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
1 American Tree Sparrow
3 Dark-eyed Juncos
1 House Finch
12 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 30 spp.
Rick