Spring migration 2008 has finally come to a close at Ruthven Park. Today was the last day of spring banding, which is fitting due to the summer-like temperatures experienced throughout the region. It was 34C when the last net was furled.

On hand to help celebrate today was a busload of Grade 1 and 2 students from J.L. Mitchener Public School in Cayuga. They saw a decent variety of birds in the lab, which was rather fortunate considering the general lack of moving bird life. A mystery was how they maintained their energy levels and enthusiasm in the heat and humidity…

Banded: 13
American Goldfinch 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Traill’s Flycatcher 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Orchard Oriole 1
Song Sparrow 1
Cedar Waxwing 1
Brown-Headed Cowbird 1
Grey Catbird 2
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 1
American Robin 1

Retrapped: 5
American Goldfinch 2
Yellow Warbler 1
American Robin 1
Red-Winged Blackbird 1

Here’s a rough summary of how Ruthven Park Spring Migration 2008 shaped up since April 1st, 2008

Species Observed: 155
Species Banded: 87
Individuals Banded: 1512
Species Retrapped: 52
Individuals Retrapped: 515
Oldest Retrapped Bird: Great Crested Flycatcher banded in 1999

An amazing stat was that we had 446 human visitors this spring. I think this is by far the largest number of people we have had out to the station. Thanks to the expansion of the lab funded by Ontario Power Generation, everyone was able to come inside too.

On behalf of Rick (who has migrated northwards to the Arctic this year to study Snow Buntings and buxom Swedish grad students), Loretta, and myself – thanks to everyone who stopped by for making this such an enjoyable season. A special thanks to blogmeister Jeff for running this blog and keeping everything current. He’s the only computer guy I’ve heard of that goes outside in daylight and who’s glasses aren’t held together by tape – at least the last time I saw him.

B

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Look for some pictures over the next week or so. I have a backlog of pictures which need to be posted.