Thursday, March 15, 2018

March 13, 2018

Finally caught up.  If you have just landed on this entry there are 3 more recent posts to read!  We are all anticipating spring migration. This Possum Long session has us more hopeful. 

We banded three new birds and recaptured 5 more.  We banded a Yellow-rumped Warbler, a Gray Catbird, and a new Painted Bunting. 

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is showing wear on its head that reveals the yellow that is seen in its breeding plumage.

Yellow-rumped Warbler
Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Our recaptures were 2 Painted Buntings that were banded this past fall.  Likely they remained in the vicinity of Possum Long.  We also recaptured a Blue Jay, a Gray Catbird, another Yellow-rumped Warbler, and an American Redstart.  The redstart was banded this past October and likely was not at Possum Long for the winter.  Nice to have it return.  We had identified it as a young male and that was further verified as it is developing more black on its face.  Recaptures give us a lot of information.  


American Redstart
Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We also saw more warblers moving through.  Numbers are much higher than what over-wintered.  These are the more southern breeding birds that go north early to claim their territories.  Those from farther north have to wait a bit more.  The species seen were Black-and White Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Northern Parula, and the recaptured redstart.  Hopefully the less common southern breeders show up next week.

The next session will be on MONDAY (March 19) instead of Tuesday.  This is a one-time change.  Nets go up at 6:45.


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