We’re at that point where, usually – if other years are an indicator – the edges should be dripping with migrants. Early morning net openings should be done to the tune of White-throated Sparrows “chipping” away and thrushes calling as they drop from their overhead migratory flight to seek food and shelter for the day. But it certainly hasn’t been that way!! The edges are quiet and the net rounds turn up fewer and fewer birds as the sun gets higher in the sky and the temperatures rise – feeling almost like Summer. Here we are, sitting at a quarter of the way through October and we still haven’t cleared thousand birds banded for the Fall season! It’s amazing to me…..and befuddling…..and concerning.
Another factor I find interesting is that we have a really good crop of wild grapes. And yet, Cedar Waxwings are few and far between. In past years, with these conditions, we’ve banded as many as 1400 in a season. But they’re just not around right now.
But there’s no shortage of falling leaves……..
October 5th; Banded 26:
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo
1 Yellow-belied Sapsucker
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Swainson’s Thrush
1 Tennessee Warbler
2 Nashville Warblers
5 Yellow-rumped Warblers
1 Common Yellowthroat
4 Song Sparrows
6 White-throated Sparrows
1 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 52 spp.
October 6th; Banded 19:
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Tennessee Warbler
2 Nashville Warblers
1 Magnolia Warbler
5 Yellow-rumped Warblers
1 Black-throated Green Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Song Sparrow
3 White-throated Sparrows
1 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 45 spp.
October 7th; Banded 30:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Tufted Titmouse
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
3 Song Sparrows
7 White-throated Sparrows
3 Dark-eyed Juncos
7 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 37 spp.
October 8th; Banded 29:
2 Black-capped Chickadees
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 Gray-cheeked Thrush
1 Hermit Thrush
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
8 Yellow-rumped Warblers
1 Western Palm Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
2 Northern Cardinals
1 White-throated Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
1 Purple Finch
4 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 44 spp.
A couple of interesting pictures:
Rick