I’m conflicted: on the one hand I love the sort of fine weather we’ve experienced over the last couple of days; on the other, I detest it because it makes for lousy banding. During last week’s rainy, puddle-filling weather birds were halted in their migration and came down to seek shelter and food….and we had good luck catching them. But with these cool, clear nights and light winds they’ve either been flying over or deciding to stay put further north, putting on fat for the long flights to come….and we don’t catch nearly as many. Still, it’s great to be outside enjoying the warm September sun, listening to the crickets and Tree Frogs, and enjoying the company of like-minded nature enthusiasts. For the past 2 days, Marnie has banded at the Farm while I’ve been at Ben’s site at Lowville. Here’s our results:

Saturday, September 18th:
Farm – banded 18:
2 Gray-cheeked Thrush
1 Philadelphia Vireo
3 Magnolia Warblers
4 Blackpoll Warblers

1 Mourning Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroats
1 Wilson’s Warbler
1 White-throated Sparrow
3 American Goldfinches

Lowville – banded 15:
1 Black-billed Cuckoo


1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Veery
1 Gray-cheeked Thrush
2 Swainson’s Thrushes
1 Gray Catbird
3 Magnolia Warblers

2 Ovenbirds
3 Northern Cardinals

September 19th:
Farm – banded 6:
1 House Wren
1 Tennessee Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroats
1 White-throated Sparrow
1 Gray Catbird

Lowville – banded 12:
1 Swainson’s Thrush
3 Gray Catbirds

1 Northern Mockingbird
2 Nashville Warblers
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 Northern Waterthrush
3 White-throated Sparrows

ET’s: 34 spp.

The mild weather has kept Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in place (we’ve caught several over these two days) and Monarch Butterflies moving – keep an eye out for “tagged” Monarchs.

And in closing, a fashion note. Check out Aliya’s sweatshirt for the purple camouflage donated by a friendly Swainson’s Thrush – the “natural look”.

Rick