May 6, 2014

I don't think any of us expected a good day but today was pretty fantastic when you consider all we did.  We added 2 new birds to the property - Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and flyover Roseate Spoonbills.  After 1 1/2 years each new addition is good.  See below for photos and story.

We had good variety today with 7 species banded and a total of 10 birds.  First off we had a Swainson's Thrush.  The other species included a female Northern Cardinal - loved her crest in the sun.

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

A Great Crested Flycatcher whose feathers were very worn.  Likely it has been brooding in a nest cavity for some time.  

Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

We banded 2 Black-throated Blue Warblers both were female.  Crystal managed to get a shot showing the new band after the bird was released.

Black-thoated Blue Warbler

Photo by Crystal Conway

The remaining birds we caught were 1 Common Yellowthroat, 3 American Redstarts, and 1 Blue Jay.  I think the Blue Jay has the story no one will believe.  Like last week, there were newly fledged Blue Jays on the property.  One decided to rest on the edge of the birdbath.  I slowly walked up to it and it was resting with its eyes closed.  I reached out in appropriate bander's grip and just picked it up and could not believe it had not flown away.  I think we were all startled.  After the fact we decided it was much less traumatic for it than being caught in the net.  

Blue Jay

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Its feathers were still in sheath like last week's bird and you can see the fleshy gape at the corner of its mouth typical of a newly fledged bird.  Also in the next photo you can see the wing bones equivalent to our forearm radius and ulna (green arrow).

HY Blue Jay wing

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Then there's the story of the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (BBWD).  First recorded on the property today, we saw one perched in the pine tree.  Also in this tree was the pair of Wood Ducks that was nesting in a nearby box (arrows).  

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Black-bellied Whistling Duck and Wood Ducks

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Nancy Price said that it could be possible that when the Wood Ducks were done, the BBWDs would use the box.  Well, they didn't wait.  To be determined is whose young will survive.  Did the BBWD add an egg for the Wood Ducks to brood?

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at Wood Duck nest box

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

I am really thankful for all of the help I have had over the past few months.  Nancy Price and Jane Wiewora are at the majority (if not all) of the banding sessions for both Possum Long and Painted Buntings. This project would not still be going without their dedication.  Continued support by the rest of the team with photography, data collection, net placement, driving, and great company has been fantastic.  I hope I can name everyone:  Bill Eaton, Jim Closs, Crystal Conway, Fran Stewart, Georgia Binderow, Pat Marshall, Linda Wishney, Marko Sillanpaa, and Hart Ruffe.  Many more folks have come for a session or two or just to visit.  I am thankful for everyone and enjoy sharing these banding experiences.  I thank our readers who are soon to put us over 5000 hits on this blog.  THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Unless the weather changes and drops a few late migrants, we are done for the season.  Likely we will be starting again in early August.  Watch this blog for updates or make sure I have your email so you get the starting information.