September 30 and October 1, 2017

We did a little extra banding this weekend since it is migration time.  We banded at Possum Long on Saturday and at PB 46 on Sunday.  Saturday was productive but a bit slower than last Tuesday's session.  We banded 13 birds (8 species) and saw a few that went no where near the nets.  These were the first of season Cape May Warbler, several Scarlet Tanagers, a Northern Parula, and a Summer Tanager.

We banded 4 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 3 Ovenbirds, and one each of Red-eyed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Swainson's Thrush, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Northern Cardinal, and Gray Catbird.  Of these the thrushes made their first welcome appearance.  We should get more this month.  The Red-eyed Vireo was a young bird so it did not yet have a bright red eye.  It was the fifth one of this species for the property.  The Carolina Wren was only the second one on the property. 

Red-eyed Vireo

Carolina Wren

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Swainson's Thrush

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

At PB 46 we were pleased to catch some of their early Painted Buntings.  They estimated they had at least 10-15 birds back.  Three were previously banded.  We caught 5 new green Painteds.  we used our new split band - so be on the lookout for yellow/light green bands.

Painted Bunting with new split band color

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

One of the buntings was a very young bird.  Just out of the nest Painted Buntings, both male and female, are green and brownish.  They molt in the fall like the adults but ALL of the youngsters stay green.  They do not molt much until the next fall (about 15 months) and this is when the male birds acquire their pretty colors.  

Earlier in the season, these hosts had a 2nd year male bird starting to grow in the bright feathers.  We had received other photos just before Bob sent this one.  It is the first time we had photos of this particular change!!

Painted Bunting male acquiring its first bright feathers (approximatley 15 months old)

Photo by Bob Ellis

Back to the youngster, you can see in the photo below that it was heavily molting and that it still had some of the juvenal brownish feathers.  (Arrow)

Very young Painted Bunting with juvenal feathers

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We also caught another Red-eyed Vireo as well as several Blue Jays, several Common Grackles, and a Northern Cardinal.  

Blue Jay

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Common Grackle

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We will band at Possum Long tomorrow, October 3.  Nets go up at 7 am.  It could be windy so hopefully the more sheltered nets won't blow.  If they do, we will close early.