April 27 & 28, 2015 And The Warblers Keep Coming

West winds and some rain are the best for migratory birds setting down for feeding and rest.  So Monday had near perfect conditions for an unscheduled banding session.  Luckily the team was available for some extra banding time.

We caught a total of 25 birds:  9 Ovenbirds, 8 American Redstarts, 3 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 3 Common Yellowthroats, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, and 1 Gray Catbird.

Pete banding an American Redstart

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

One of the Black-throated Blue Warblers had black markings on its back.  This is an indication that it belonged to a subspecies which breeds in the Appalachian Mountains.  The back of the more northern subspecies is entirely blue.  The large white wing patch and entirely black throat indicates this is an after-second-year bird (born prior to last summer).

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Photo by Jane Wiewora

This Black-and-white Warbler was born last summer.  Though the photo does not show the throat, it was not entirely black (still had some white mottling) and the wing showed some juvenal feathers (molt limit) just above my right thumb.

Black-and-white Warbler

Photo by Pete Grannis

In addition to the birds we banded we also saw a Black-throated Green Warbler yesterday and some Worm-eating Warblers today.

Tuesday's regularly scheduled session was cut short by threatening weather.  We banded 2 Ovenbirds, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat (SY), and 1 Gray Catbird.  We may try again tomorrow.  If we do we will add to this post so please check back.  (Wednesday we were rained out but will try again and make a new post!)

Next scheduled banding:  May 5.  Nets go up at 6 am.  NOTE:  THIS WILL BE THE LAST SESSION UNTIL FALL MIGRATION.  BANDING MAY RESUME SOMETIME IN AUGUST.  It is best to sign up for notifications.  I will post a week ahead of the new season!