March 5, 2016 - Young Audubon Program features banding this month

We started the day on the usual schedule of setting nets up at 6:30 am.  The participants were scheduled from 10 to noon.  Though we only banded one new Gray Catbird with the recaptures and an exciting visitor it was an amazing day.

Gray Catbird

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

So the day was saved with the recaptures we had.  Some of the birds caught today were first caught in 2013.  Some were already 2 years old.  Learning the longevity of these birds is one of the pieces of information we wish to learn.  The birds we re-caught today are migrants so this tells us how important the property is to them.  They depend on finding food and shelter on their journey.  They have mapped where to stop.  These birds somehow know that they can refuel there. Imagine how upset you'd be if you were almost out of gas in the car and the only gas station for miles around, where you had planned to stop, is now gone.  

We recaptured 2 Gray Catbirds - one from just last week and one from February, 2013.  We recaptured 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers - one from last November (2015) and one from December, 2013.  Another recapture was a Northern Parula originally banded in October, 2013.  It was already an adult when we banded it so it had been born in the summer of 2011 and is now at least 5 years old.

Northern Parula - male

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

I thought we were almost done when Bill said that he and several folks had seen a Sharp-shinned Hawk on the property.  That is exciting news in itself.  Much more frequently the bigger counterpart, a Cooper's Hawk, is seen.  Sharp-shins are much more rare.  It is time for these birds to be making their way north.  

Next thing I heard Bill yell that we had a bird in the net.  I ran to help and found this........look what we caught!

Nancy LaFramboise with a Sharp-shinned Hawk

Photo by Nancy Price

My permit does not allow me to band hawks so we could only look and appreciate this wonderful bird.  I had banded one before when I was training so no disappointment at all.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Photo by Nancy Price

Sharp-shinned Hawk - close-up (cropped)

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

For a large (for us) bird and a hunting bird, this one was very calm in our hold.  It did not lash out when it was in the net or in hand.  As I released the bird one talon snagged my finger for momentary pain but no lasting injury. I am thankful for that.

Next session is the regularly scheduled Tuesday session.  March 8.  Nets go up at 6:30 am.