November 12, 2013 - Before the front

Cool weather was due to hit and that may have given us the few birds we banded and observed.  Bird movement and presence are slowing down but we are starting to see some of the "winter" birds.  We recaptured two Gray Catbirds showing that they either remain on the property or at least circulate through it.

We banded two new birds:  A Worm-eating Warbler and a HY Swainson's Thrush.  We also added a species to the property list:  House Wren.  The wren hit the net twice but managed to escape.  My former banding folks at MAPS would probably never believe that.  Of all the birds there, Bewick's and House Wrens were the most likely to get super tangled.  

Worm-eating Warbler

Photo by Bill Eaton

Swainson's Thrush

Photo by Bill Eaton

If you look at the base of the bill you can see the gape, the fleshy fold that indicates a young bird.

We also saw and heard Eastern Phoebe on the property, once again flying over and sitting on the net pole but not yet in our nets.

Eastern Phoebe

Photo by Bill Eaton

Next banding won't be until December 3, 2013.  Nets go up at 6:30.

November 7, 2013

Yes, it has definitely quieted down.  Weather kept us from banding on the usual Tuesday and today although we heard a few chip notes of likely warblers and gnatcatchers, we did not capture any of them.  We did not see any Palm Warblers and only one Yellow-throated Warbler.  We did band a "green" Painted Bunting.  We cannot tell whether the green buntings are female or HY males.  Males born this summer will not develop their distinctive red, blue, and green plumage until fall of next year.

Painted Bunting

Photo by Bill Eaton

Painted Bunting

Photo by Bill Eaton

We were able to detect two birds that had been previously banded - a male cardinal and a catbird.

We will band again on Tuesday, November 12, weather permitting.  Nets will go up at 6:30.  After that we will be taking a break and will band again at least once in December.  If birds occur as they did last year, we will likely not resume weekly banding until mid-January.  But, do keep in touch here for sessions.  If you want to be added to an email update for impromptu sessions let me know.