March 31, 2015

Could today have been any better???  Yes, I suppose we could have banded more birds.  I told the crew to be ready for early migrants like Hooded Warbler which we have banded in the past.  I told them to keep the nets low for these ground-dwelling birds.  We did see a few migrants.  But, we didn't catch any Hooded Warblers.  (Is the suspense getting to you yet?)

Today we banded a first for me, a life bird for some, a property first, and a bird not seen in the county in years.  A Louisiana Waterthrush.  Since Northern Waterthrushes and Louisiana Waterthrushes are so similar, one must take care with the ID.  Measurements, field marks, the absence of a dark undertail covert, and a long bill all supported this identification.

Louisiana Waterthrush

Photo by Pete Grannis

Louisiana Waterthrush

Photo by Pat Marshall

Louisiana Waterthrush

Photo by Pat Marshall

The red arrows show the mostly unmarked throat and the unmarked undertail coverts but the key was the bill length which was well beyond the normal range for Northern Waterthrush.

So, disappointment could have been the theme of the rest of the session but Pete Grannis discovered a perched, adult Eastern Screech-Owl and Diana Doyle soon found the 3 young.  Jean saw the 4th young so we had FIVE owls.  What a team even when it comes to finding birds.  I love this aspect of our group and our study.

Eastern Screech-Owls

Photo by Pat Marshall

Eastern Screech-Owl

Photo by Pat Marshall

We also recaptured a Painted Bunting and a Black-throated Blue Warbler (banded 3 weeks ago).  It wasn't a session with a lot of birds but I don't recall anyone complaining!

Next session April 7.  Nets go up at 6:30 am.