Eight species

There was a hard frost this morning so I switched banding to the afternoon. Most of the birds caught are coming for the food at the feeders. As a result I have data on birds that are year round residents. Also I'm building up a data set on white-throated sparrows. Some of the sparrows are returning each winter. My long-term goal is to compare data for this locale with the results of WTSP studies elsewhere and to check for any mini-migration movement during the winter season.

SPECIES BANDED February 11, 2011
*American goldfinch 2
*Brown thrasher 1
*Carolina chickadee 1
*Carolina wren 1
*Chipping sparrow 1
*Purple finch 1
*Yellow rumped warbler 1
*White th sparrow 2

* new species for 2011

Two recaptures: WTSP and TUTI.

New species at station

This banding station is not on a major fall migration route. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Northern Waterthrush in a net this morning. In theory the habitat is suitable; at least for a stop over for a waterthrush. This is the first NOWA banded here. This particular bird has a strong yellow shade underneath and in the supercilium.


The other species banded or recaptured today are year round residents: 2 northern cardinals, a trio of tufted titmouse (with a 4th avoiding the net) and a carolina wren.

Unsettled, cooler weather is forecast to come in tonight. Today's 90+F temperature is probably the last of the summer heat.

New endeavor

This year I plan to keep a running tally on the bird species banded.

SPECIES BANDED: January 16

*American Goldfinch - 2
*Brown Thrasher - 1
*Carolina Wren - 1
*Hermit Thrush - 1
*Myrtle Warbler - 1
*Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
*White-throated Sparrow - 8

* new species for 2010
~ new species for banding station

TODAY’S BANDING TOTAL
species: 7
individuals: 15

YEARLY BANDING TOTAL (2010)
species: 7
individuals: 15

RECAPTURES TODAY
(with sex and original banding date)

Carolina Chickadee - U - October 4, 2009
Carolina Chickadee - U - November 8, 2009

YEARLY RECAPTURE TOTAL (2010)
species: 1
individuals: 2

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.

Successful end to the season

I ran my last MAPS banding session on Sunday for this season. The number of birds banded was much higher than I expected for this late in the summer doldrums. There was high humidity and I ended the session early because of a downpour. Six birds banded and one recapture. The recapture was a female cardinal and one of the first birds I banded at this station. She was originally banded exactly two years ago as an AHY. The new bandees were mainly fledglings and several still had sets of feathers growing in.

New bird - Pine Warbler

Temperatures warmed up today so I could band in the afternoon. The feeder birds continue to NOT go in the nets. A pair of Pine Warblers down by the lake did go in a net which is a first for that species here. The contrast in coloring between the male and female is striking. Other captures were a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet and a recaptured Brown-headed Nuthatch.

On the lake there are between 130 and 150 Ring Necked Ducks. Never had that many before.

Our suet mix is popular with many species at the feeder station. Peanut butter is now available on two new pine cones. Long-Leaf Pine pine cones make excellent feeders. I'm recycling the wide ties that grocery stores use to hold lettuce together. Tie the tie around one end of the pine cone and tie the other end to a convenient tree branch; add peanut butter, and wait for the guests.

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.

Two new species

Saturday was a very slow banding day. For 36 net hours I banded five birds. I expected capture rates to be low in high summer but Saturday was the first day that FELT like our summer .... hot and humid. Early Sunday morning sweat was pouring off me while I gardened.

Back to the birds. Despite the few captures two species were new for the banding site: Downy Woodpecker and Hooded Warbler. Below are the two male warblers for the day: Prothonotary and Hooded.