March 25, 2014

Today we dodged raindrops and managed only a few hours of banding.  We missed some early bird activity and as it has been in the last few weeks the birds were high in the canopy.  We noted at least two very crisp and clean Prairie Warblers as well as a few Northern Parula.  Great Crested Flycatchers were singing.  I noted the first of spring Chimney Swifts over the property.  There were plenty of Cedar Waxwings on the property.  We estimated at least 150!

We banded 2 Gray Catbirds and a Black-and-white Warbler.  One of the catbirds had undertail coverts that were missing some of the rusty coloring - not sure if some feathers had come out and there weren't enough to overlap or if the feathers were actually missing color.

Gray Catbird

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

The Black-and-white Warbler was born last year.  Some of the wing feathers (to the right of the lower thumb) are duller than the fresher, blacker ones.  

Black-and-white Warbler

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Next banding session:  April 1, 2014.  No Fooling!  Nets go up between 7 and 7:30.