Saw-whet Owl

It was a nice and steady day today. We ended up handling 164 birds (120 new, 44 recaptured), sending us over the 5000 mark for the fall season!! A number of regular volunteers came out to help, so that made processing the birds run smoothly. There was also no shortage of delicious baked goods!

Nancy captured 12 new Northern Saw-whet Owls last night, as well as the second Eastern Screech Owl of the season.

Todays’ banding highlight was a recaptured American Goldfinch that was originally banded on April 25, 2008 as an adult bird!

Other noteworthy bird sightings included at least 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS that were heard on the other side of the Grand River on census, and 3 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS (2 flyovers, and 1 stunning male sitting atop a spruce beside the mansion first thing in the morning).

New Birds = 120

American Goldfinch – 66
Golden-kinged Kinglet – 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 2
Pine Siskin – 22
Slate-coloured Junco – 6
American Tree Sparrow – 2
House Finch – 10
White-throated Sparrow – 2
Eastern White-crowned Sparrow – 2
Downy Woodpecker – 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch – 1
Purple Finch – 1
Hermit Thrush – 1
Blue Jay – 1
Mourning Dove – 1

Recaptures = 44

American Goldfinch – 17
Pine Siskin – 4
Slate-coloured Junco – 6
Hairy Woodpecker – 1
American Tree Sparrow – 2
Brown Creeper – 1
Downy Woodpecker – 1
Eastern White-crowned Sparrow – 1
Eastern Tufted Titmouse – 1
White-throated Sparrow – 2
Eastern Bluebird – 1
White-breasted Nuthatch – 4
Black-capped Chickadee – 3

Fall Season Banding Total = 5094
Year-to-Date Banding Total = 7679
Census = 21 species
Daily Estimated Species Total = 36

Photo Gallery:
I can’t get the photo gallery working in its standard form, for some reason, but today’s pictures are posted here.

Matt