September 7th
Partial cloud turned into total cloud from the time I opened the nets to 9:15 – when it began to rain pretty steadily, causing me to close the nets. Too bad because there was some interesting variety around, including the first Pileated Woodpecker(s) of the year. Fortunately, one did not make its way into the nets. There were at least 9 warbler species as well (and a bunch of Chipping Sparrows pretending to be warblers – feeding high in the trees and “flitting” about just like them.
Banded 24:
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Gray Catbird
3 Red-eyed Vireos
3 Nashville Warblers
1 Chestnut-sided Warbler
2 Magnolia Warblers
1 Black-throated Blue Warbler
1 Black and White Warbler
1 Ovenbird
2 Common Yellowthroats
1 Scarlet Tanager
1 Northern Cardinal
5 Indigo Buntings
1 Song Sparrow
Retrapped 6:
2 Black-capped Chickadees
1 Gray Catbird
2 Magnolia Warblers
1 Wilson’s Warbler
ET’s: 44 species
Rick
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September 6th
As most birders know a grey overcast day during migration is usually great for birds. Migrants fall out and look for places to forage and shelter until the front passes. In seemingly grim conditions for the non-birder, a decent woodlot can harbor a wide variety of birds and much enjoyment for the suitably enlightened.
The grey, rainy weather today at Ruthven yielded only 43 species – but this included a Lawrence’s Warbler (probably the one banded earlier this season), Tennessee Warblers, Black-Throated Green Warblers, Chestnut-Sided Warblers, Magnolia Warblers, a smattering of vireos and flycatchers, and the season’s first Blackpoll and Nashville Warblers.
Unfortunately the ever-present ever-threatening rain restricted the number of nets that could be opened – and caused the occasional close of those that could. Still, not a bad haul considering.
Banded: 29
Magnolia Warbler 5
American Goldfinch 3 (very few this season so far)
Nashville Warbler 2
Tennessee Warbler 2
Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher 1
House Wren 1
Warbling Vireo 4
Eastern Wood Pewee 2
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Red-Eyed Vireo 4
Veery 2
Grey Catbird 1
Retrapped: 7
Chestnut-Sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
White-Breasted Nuthatch 1
Grey Catbird 2
B