September 10, 2013

Finally a bit of action.  We had to delay opening due to rain but the forecast indicated clearing.  We set the nets up fairly fast and we were hearing more birds than in the past few weeks.  First in the net was the Brown Thrasher we originally banded on August 13.

Brown Thrasher

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Then the warbler wave came - small but an improvement.  First we had a male Black-throated Blue Warbler (BT Blue).  The extent of white at the base of the primaries indicates he was an adult (after hatch year).  The lack of black streaking on its back indicates it is not of the Appalachian subspecies.  

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Photo by Jane Wiewora

The next bird was also a BT Blue but it was a hatch year female.  It made for a nice comparison of features.  Females have a very different appearance than the males but they both have bright soles of their feet.  The female's eye line and arc show well here.

Black-throated Blue Warbler - female

Photo by Jane Wiewora

The white base of the primaries (also seen on the males) is one of the key ways one tells a female BT Blue and the one on this hatch year bird was very limited.

Black-throated Blue Warbler - female

Photo by Nancy Price

Then it was on to the Ovenbirds.  We banded two, both adults.  The Lake Lotus Banding Station gets Ovenbirds that return to the same location in subsequent years.  We are looking forward to that happening.

Ovenbird 

Photo by Nancy Price

Ovenbirds spend a lot of time on the ground and have big feet to support them.  Doesn't this bird look small in comparison to the banding pliers??

Ovenbird 

Photo by Nancy Price

The final warbler was a Black-and-white Warbler.  These birds are known for clinging to limbs much like a nuthatch.  The feet, especially the claws, are really a bit strange - they may be worn by the bark or maybe just longer and stronger.  

Black-and-white Warbler

Photo by Nancy Price

We noticed a lot of activity near some Beauty Berry at the front of the property.  We are looking forward to the fruit ripening soon and attracting more birds to that area.  This is where we had thrush activity last fall.  The oak tree there had at least 6 Northern Mockingbirds, some Blue Jays, at least one Northern Cardinal, and one or two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.  We added a net just in case.  We were rewarded with the capture of a hatch year Northern Mockingbird.  

Northern Mockingbird

Photo by Jane Wiewora

It was very vocal, rarely closing its mouth.  The spotted breast is visible, indicating it was a bird born this summer.  These spots do not last very long so it may have recently fledged, probably the reason for the ruckus in the oak.  The light gray eye, not yet yellow, is also a sign of its young age.

Lastly we recaptured a Northern Cardinal.  It wasn't "28" but twice as good ("56")!

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Rain and Turkeys near the nets closed us down but we will be back next week for our next regular banding session will be on September 17.  Nets to open at 6:30 am.  Hope to see you there.