The rainy weather on the 15th seemed to slow migration down but it has quickly ramped up again – despite windy weather. Yesterday the winds had a southerly touch to them and this (with clear skies) somewhat limited the flow though. Today it was much more unsettle with a 30% chance of showers and heavy overcast. The winds started in the west but shifted to the NW in the course of the morning bringing the temperature down a few degrees as it did so. There was a heavy movement and we ended up banding good numbers. It’s exciting when you walk around in the early pre-dawn opening nets and listen to the chips of White-throated Sparrows, robins, and Myrtle Warblers that have spent the night in the meadow shrubs or dogwood as they awaken and get moving.
October 16th; Banded 50:
Male Mourning Dove. -KMP
1 Mourning Dove
1 Blue Jay
Young Blue Jay. The passage of jays through the site seems to be winding down. -KMP
2 Black-capped Chickadees
4 Golden-crowned Kinglets
7 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
2 Swainson’s Thrushes
2 Hermit Thrushes
7 Myrtle Warblers
1 Song Sparrow
12 White-throated Sparrows
3 Dark-eyed Juncos
8 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 39 spp.
Larking About:
A ladies’ group – the Larks – came out last night, ostensibly to experience Northern Saw-whet Owls. Alas, it wasn’t to be. After 3 net checks it became clear that these little owls eschew Larks……And did you know that I am the sole (token) male member of this group? They took me on so they couldn’t be accused of sexism. [We did band one White-throated Sparrow that flung itself into one of the owl nets – so all was not lost.]
October 17th; Banded 133:
One of two Hairy Woodpeckers banded today. -KMP
2 Hairy Woodpeckers
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Blue Jay
5 Black-capped Chickadees
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch
1 White-breasted nuthatch
5 Brown Creepers
After “skulling”, this Golden-crowned Kinglet male sports a funked up do. -KMP
2 Golden-crowned Kinglets
12 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
2 Hermit Thrushes
5 American Robins
An adult Cedar Waxwing finishing off a complete moult – including a “waxy” tip on a tail feather. -KMP
40 Cedar Waxwings
1 Nashville Warbler
This Myrtle Warbler was missing its right foot – an old injury that clearly had healed over. It seemed to be none the worse for wear and had good muscle and fat scores. _KMP
22 Myrtle Warbler
1 Western Palm Warbler
1 Field Sparrow
Our largest sparrow: Fox Sparrow. -KMP
1 Fox Sparrow
2 Song Sparrows
2 Swamp Sparrows
9 White-throated Sparrows
For comparison: HY White-crowned Sparrow (on the left with a brown and tan-striped head) and an adult (with the black and white head). -KMP
2 Eastern White-crowned Sparrows
Male Purple Finch – one of 7 banded today. -KMP
7 Purple Finches
Pine Siskin – an unusual visitor to southern Ontario. -KMP
2 Pine Siskins
6 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 44 spp.
Rick