October 11th & 12th: We’re On The Downside

Many “purists” think that banding is all about monitoring and data collection but actually it’s just a good excuse for a picnic and the camaraderie of like-minded friends. -ELO

It’s amazing how quickly time goes by! Here we are well past the half-way mark in the migration. The vast majority of long-distance migrants have moved through – many have quite likely arrive on their wintering grounds – and we’re in the midst of the short-distance migrants: sparrows, kinglets, etc. Sure, we’ll still get the odd long-distance bird but they will be few and far between. At this point, any bird that depends on insects for sustenance is in big trouble. It’s interesting how flexible birds can be though. Many birds that are thought to be insect eaters will take what’s available. I’ve even seen Wood-pewees ingesting Gray Dogwood berries late in the season!

Hoovering up roadside bird seed. -RG

Our “Flock of Seven” Wild Turkeys is becoming even tamer. While we were wondering where they were this morning, Amy emerged from the banding lab with a cup of mixed seed to spread on the roadside (for sparrows and juncos). Right on cue they jumped up over the wall and were on it in now time.

Doesn’t seem too concerned about upcoming Thanksgiving…. -RG

October 11th; Banded 40:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Winter Wrens
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet

Male Ruby-crowned Kinglet. -AG

7 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
2 Hermit Thrushes
1 Gray Catbird

A late female Black-throated Blue Warbler. -AG

1 Black-throated Blue Warbler
1 Myrtle Warbler
4 Song Sparrows
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
16 White-throated Sparrow
2 American Goldfinches

October 12th; Banded 40:

1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Brown Creeper
1 Winter Wren
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
7 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 Hermit Thrush
2 Cedar Waxwings
7 Myrtle Warblers
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Song Sparrow
1 Swamp Sparrow
9 White-throated Sparrows
7 American Goldfinches