Despite the onset of showers later in the morning, we had another pretty slow day. When we closed up (early due to the rain), we had banded only 12 birds (caught at the rate of only 13 birds per 100 net hours). These numbers are WELL below our usual Fall rates. In fact, after today we have banded 495 fewer birds than we had banded in the same period last year.

For interest’s sake I went over the notes from last year. The first 3 weeks then were marked by cool, wet and “changeable” weather – very different from what we’ve been getting. (Natalie reminded me that, last year, the trails were a muddy mess due to the amount of rain we had received.) As in the Spring, it appears that in good weather the birds “fly over”. Facing unsettled conditions brings them to earth. Birds that do stop over will be well fed on the good wild fruit crops we have – I’ve never seen such heavy clusters of wild grapes.

Banded 12:
1 House Wren
2 Gray-cheeked Thrushes
1 Swainson’s Thrush
2 Gray Catbirds
1 Chestnut-sided Warbler
3 Common Yellowthroats
1 Song Sparrow
1 Swamp Sparrow

Retrapped 6:
1 Mourning Dove
2 Black-capped Chickadees
1 Gray-cheeked Thrush
1 Blackpoll Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat

ET’s: 36 spp.

Birds banded per 100 net hours: 13

Rick