I’m not eschewing good erudition for the sake of vulgarity; merely trying to capture the vernacular of the street (or, more appropriately, migration highway) that the Killdeer were using. Many birds will check out the breeding area that they used in the Summer to keep out potential future interlopers by maintaining a presence. For the past several early mornings the resident pair of Killdeer (at least I think it’s them) have been in the parking lot and none too happy about all the goings on there as the film crew gears up for the day’s film shoot. They would prefer that all the trucks and equipment…and people….were gone and they had the place to themselves.
Later in the day I saw two banded Eastern Bluebirds checking out the nesting boxes around the site.
While the male kept guard up high the female went inside a number of boxes, preparing for next March when they will be getting ready to nest.
And while the Killdeer have not been happy with the human presence in the parking lot, the Chipping Sparrows have been rejoicing. They have been able to take shelter from the rain under the vehicles. Different strokes I guess.
Yesterday Nancy and I took it in shifts to band between showers. It’s good that the Baggers abounded so we had a large skilled work force when birds had to be quickly extracted and the nets had to be collapsed (and then put up again). Today the weather was much more benign – hard to believe we’re well into the Fall (and it’s going to be hot for the next few days)!
October 2nd; Banded 33:
3 Ruby-crowned Kingets
2 Gray-cheeked Thrushes
1 Cedar Waxwing
1 Philadelphia Vireo
1 Red-eyed Vireo
2 Tennessee Warblers
1 Black-throated Blue Warbler
8 Yellow-rumped Warblers
2 Blackpoll Warblers
2 Song Sparrows
1 Swamp Sparrow
3 White-throated Sparrows
6 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 42 spp.
October 3rd; Banded 27:
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Brown Creeper
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 Gray-cheeked Thrush
1 Philadelphia Vireo
1 Red-eyed Vireo
3 Tennessee Warblers
2 Nashville Warblers
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
4 Yellow-rumped Warblers
1 Northern Waterthrush
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
3 White-crowned Sparrows
1 Dark-eyed Junco
ET’s: 42 spp.
Fern Hill School – Burlington Campus:
While we were working hard to round up 27 birds for banding, the Young Ornithologists at Fern Hill were having a banner day! Here’s Janice Chard’s report:
We had a busy day today at Fern Hill school in Burlington! From the first net round we were catching good numbers of birds, with good diversity.
The Young Ornithologists were treated to the first Indigo Buntings, Bay-breasted Warblers and Slate-colored Junco of the fall, as well as Blackpoll warblers, Magnolia Warblers and a good handful of Blue Jays (perhaps a good omen for the game tomorrow)!
With the steady stream of birds coming into the lab we were able to have two classes come out and take part in the banding.
Banded: 36
Downy Woodpecker – 1
Blue Jay – 8
Black-capped Chickadee – 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 1
American Robin – 2
Gray catbird – 1
Philadelphia Vireo – 1
Magnolia warbler – 1
Myrtle warbler – 4
Bay-breasted warbler – 2
Blackpoll warbler – 4
Common yellowthroat – 1
Indigo bunting – 2
Song sparrow – 1
Swamp sparrow – 1
White-throated sparrow – 3
Slate-colored junco – 1
ET’s- 30 spp.
It’s good to be back!
Thanks,
Jan