Sometimes the migration just stalls. Birds that are around stay around and new birds don’t move in. For some reason it was like that today: we had almost as many retraps as we did new banded birds – 44 vs 36. Perhaps it was the frontal winds that convinced the birds not too push on. Perhaps it was just the idea of picking up some “bling” at the banding lab. Who really knows!?
Anyway, we had another really good crew out again this morning: Christie Macdonald (an Arctic research compatriot and banding afficianadoe), Peter Thoem (Burlington councilman and our go-to census guy), Siobhan Stewart (Mac student voted the most enthusiastic of her whole year), and Christine Madliger (just engaged and still starry-eyed…). Good thing too as we had a visit from the local 4-H Conservation Club – a bunch of kids that were VERY keen to learn and to take part. Some of these kids are going to be the ornithologists of the future! So…..again….it was a very enjoyable morning.

Banded 44:
2 Black-capped Chickadees
3 Brown Creepers
4 Golden-crowned Kinglets
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 Hermit Thrush
2 American Robins
1 Nashville Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal
1 American tree Sparrow
3 Fox Sparrows
2 White-throated Sparrows
4 Dark-eyed Juncos
1 Purple Finch
2 House Finches
15 American Goldfinches

Retrapped 36:
1 Eastern Tufted Titmouse
2 Black-capped Chickadees
10 Golden-crowned Kinglets
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
2 American Tree Sparrows
1 Fox Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Eastern White-crowned Sparrow
4 Dark-eyed Juncos
10 American Goldfinches

ET’s: 37 spp.

Rick

Thanks to Peter Thoem for sending pictures!