On April 7 we went to a new host site, PB76. We didn't have many new hosts this season but we still did well. At this site we banded six new Painted Buntings as well as a Northern Cardinal and a Common Grackle. After leaving, our host sent a photo to show there were still unbanded birds around. Having unbanded birds is still data as now we know there were really more birds than the host initially reported.
unbanded Painted Bunting at feeder at new host site
Photo by host
On April 8 we made our last visit back to PB 46. We have banded so many buntings and other incidental captures here. It is such a wonderful place to be. We banded 9 more Painted Buntings and recaptured 3 from past seasons. One Painted had a very blue cast, the colors have not been enhanced here. There was also one with a bit of body molt. You can see how replacing incidentally lost feathers might create some of the odd color patches we see.
Painted Bunting with odd blue color look to the feathers
Painted Bunting growing in some replacement feathers
Incidental captures included a Prairie Warbler, 5 Indigo Buntings, 3 Northern Cardinals, 1 Gray Catbird, 6 Blue Jays, and a recently fledged Mourning Dove. You can see the edged feathers on the wing of the dove.
Prairie Warbler
Photo by Bill LaFramboise
Mourning Dove - hatch year
Photo by Bill LaFramboise
On April 9 we returned to PB70 where there was a caged feeder that was new this season. These large feeders wrapped in 1 x 2 fencing allow us to use traps to capture more. We banded 13 new Painted Buntings and recaptured 1 from last season. We also banded an Indigo Bunting, a Northern Parula, and a Northern Cardinal. We thoroughly enjoyed 7 students who we introduced to our project. We were impressed with their knowledge, interest, and participation.
Indigo Bunting
Photo by Bill LaFramboise
Now on to the finish of Season 5 and migration banding.
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