There was a good number of birds around today and the banding lab was hopping. It was also hopping because the Campanelli and Scholten children – keen birders all – were helping out. As I watched them run from net to net I had an inspiration: if the banders adopted this method of travel (i.e., running between nets) we could handle at least half again as many nets as we do now! But then I watched Brian (of the bad back) hobbling Frankenstein-style to net #10 and thought……maybe not……
Peter Thoem took time away from his busy city councillor job in Burlington to do the census for us. (Maybe he just views this as a “photo-op”….is there an election coming?) And Loretta showed up as well just in case Brian was unable to make it – thanks Loretta!
The long-distance migrating warblers/birds are tailing off and we’re getting into the short-distance migrants now: Yellow-rumped Warblers, Hermit Thrushes and White-throated Sparrows. These are all making good use of the abundant grape/berry crops that abound on the grounds. There were a lot of birds in front of the Mansion – too bad we don’t have any nets there…..
Banded 59:
2 Golden-crowned Kinglets
1 Swainson’s Thrush
3 Hermit Thrushes
1 Gray Catbird
1 Red-eyed Vireo
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 Black-throated Blue Warbler
15 Yellow-rumped Warblers
1 Blackpoll Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
2 Chipping Sparrow
1 Field Sparrow
4 Song Sparrows
5 White-throated Sparrows
20 American Goldfinches
Retrapped 8:
1 Blue Jay
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Swainson’s Thrush
2 Gray Catbirds
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
ET’s:Â 41 species
Rick