Sparrows rule

The temperatures finally warm up to reasonable banding weather in North Carolina, though there is still ice on shaded parts of the lake. A Cardinal was singing. White-throated Sparrows were the most common species banded today; followed by a pair of American Goldfinch, a pair of recaptured Carolina Chickadees, and singles of Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, Carolina Wren, Myrtle Warbler and Ruby-Crowned Kinglet.



On the lake during the cold snap I've counted more Ring-necked Duck then ever before. My count was at 100 one day.

On the gardening front. I've started to remove weeds and prepare one of the vegetable beds; I'm working on seed orders; and the blueberry bushes are pruned.

Recaptures

This is my second year of banding at this station. I now have site fidelity confirmed for White-throated Sparrows. While this is not 'news' to ornithologists, it is a thrill for me to know that the bird in my hand has navigated long distances from this spot and returned to it.

A bird banded on February 16 was recaptured on October 26. It was the first White-throated Sparrow caught this winter season.

Then on November 9th two additional birds were recaptured in the same net. I looked them up and these birds were caught together last year November 17, 2007.

Yes, my sample is small but this is a good beginning.