Several days in September 2006

Hello blog-readers. I must apologize for the delay in getting these banding reports online. I had been waiting to post some pictures with the reports, but blogger continues to have problems posting pictures, so here is the text. Pictures will follow when blogger allows.

Rock Point Banding Station, one of the three Haldimand Bird Observatory stations, is active this fall. Daily banding reports for Rock Point can be viewed at http://www.geocities.com/rockpointbanding/ .

Reminder: Use the link on the right side of the page labelled “Interpret four-letter alpha codes” to figure out which species each four letter code indicates in the banding reports.

September 19th, 2006

Ruthven

A heavy over-night rain left standing pools of water in the lawn of the mansion, made the creek along the Carolinian Trail a raging torrent, and created quaint waterfall down the path at Net 4.

A few new migrants were in evidence during the early morning but many of the same old avian faces made an appearance as the day went on.

Banded 33: AMGO 10, MAWA 5, AMRE 2, CHSP 3, BLPW, BCCH, OVEN 2, REVI 2, SWTH 2, SOSP, GRCA, NOCA, AMRO 2

Retrapped 13: AMGO 3, BCCH, WBNU 2, HOWR, MAWA, SOSP, CSWA, TEWA, SWTH, BAWW

B.

Selkirk

Still another slow day at Selkirk although a mixed flock of warblers were evident in the hardwoods just north of the banding area. This flock would work its way to the south side of the hardwoods but would not come into the pines. This movement in the hardwoods is fairly regular at Selkirk but especially on slow days can be frustrating.

For the past couple of weeks Mourning Doves seems to be spending a lot of time under the white pines literally in the middle of the pine plantation on the ground. I am guessing but wonder if the doves are after the pine seeds which are all over the ground.

Banded: MODO 1, BCCH 2, GCTH 2, SWTH 1, NAWA 1, CSWA 1, BTBW 1, COYE 1, AMGO 1 = 11

September 18th, 2006

Ruthven

The wind was blowing moderately at opening and increased as the day progressed. The biomass of captured leaves was much higher than that of captured migratory birds.

Banded 15: AMGO 4, BLBW, BTNW 2, MAWA 2, COYE 2, REVI, GCTH, GRCA, RBGR

Retrapped 10: SWTH, CSWA, AMRE 2, GRCA, BCCH 3, PHVI, BAWW

The retrapped warblers, vireo, and thrush were originally banded last week, revealing a lack of recent migratory movement.

B.

Selkirk

Where have all the birds gone? For the second day in a row there has been next to nothing in Selkirk with regards to migrating passerines. For that matter even the local residents have been remaining out of sight.

On casual glances upwards raptors are going over the park and Blue Jays have commenced their fall migration flocks moving along the lake shore. Monarchs and large dragon flies were the most obvious migrants.

Banded today: ETTI 2, SWTH 1, AMRO 4, BLPW 1, COYE 1 = 9

John

September 17th, 2006

Ruthven

If a leaf falls in the forest, does it hit a mist net? Inevitably it seems at Ruthven Park…

A foggy early morning filled with the sounds of migrants descending into the wooded areas of the property. Once the fog burned off there was a brief flurry of activity at the nets before the wind picked up and clogged them with leaves.

Sadly the Mac Biodiversity folks left us today, leaving behind fond memories and a small Eastern Garter Snake that had taken up residence in the Coach House.

Over the river a Cooper’s Hawk was observed playing aerial tag with an unwilling Belted Kingfisher.

Banded 49: AMGO 12, NAWA 2, TEWA, CSWA 2, AMRE 2, MAWA 3, COYE, YBFL, PHVI 2, WAVI, BLPW, BCCH, OVEN, REVI 3, INBU, HOFI, SWTH 4, GCTH 3, WTSP 2, SOSP 2, WOTH, GRCA, NOCA

Retrap 3: MAWA, SOSP, BCCH

The retrapped BCCH was banded as a SY in March 2002 and is now on its 5th retrap card.

B

Selkirk

A nice day but the slowest day banding for the month so far. Next to nothing in the banding area.

Banded: MODO 1, GCTH 1, AMRO 4, MAWA 2, BTBW 1, WTSP 1 =10

John

September 16th, 2006

Ruthven

McMaster’s biodiversity students were visiting this weekend. Got there extra early to make them think that banding is REALLY arduous. Overhead, in the dark, birds were calling as they descended – stopping their migration for the day.

It looked like it was going to be a clear day. There weren’t very many birds around for the first 2 hours. But then the clouds rolled in, the ground fog lifted and the birds began to move. Had a good mix including a striking male Hooded Warbler!

Banded 57: 1 MODO, 1 YBCU, 1 DOWO, 1 RCKI, 1 GCTH, 3 SWTH, 1 GRCA, 4 PHVI, 1 REVI, 1 NAWA, 3 MAWA, 1 BTNW, 11 BLPW, 1 BAWW, 2 OVEN, 2 COYE, 3 SOSP, 18 AMGO, 1 HOWA.

Retrapped 6: 1 LEFL, 2 BCCH, 1 SOSP, 2 AMGO.

Rick

Selkirk

Another quiet day at Selkirk, variety but no numbers. Ended up with a decent day but for the most part small passerines seemed hard to find.

Banded: RCKI 2, VEER 1, GCTH 2, SWTH 1, AMRO 1, BHVI 1, WAVI 1, PHVI 2, REVI 3, MAWA 4, BTBW 1, MYWA 2, BLBW 1, BLPW 1, BAWW 1, AMRE 4, RBGR 1, SOSP 1 = 30

John

Leave a Reply