September 15, 2015 OVEN-8

Today we got more numbers but less diversity.  We banded 8 Ovenbirds (banding code OVEN) and a Blue Jay.  All 9 birds were born this last nesting season.  There were a few migrants on the property that did not go into the nets but that's the norm.

Last week the first Common Nighthawk for the property was observed.

Ovenbird (and Eddie our mascot on the banding box)

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Many thanks to Jane for all of the photos.  Since we had been negligent about getting photos she got pictures of most of the Ovenbirds.  Problem is they are all alike.  These two photos really tell it all.

Aging the Ovenbirds

Photo by Jane Wiewora

The yellow arrows above indicate lighter tipped coverts that indicate that the birds are both hatch-year (born this past summer).

Jane pointed out some more really great close-ups of our Ovenbirds from her set.  I couldn't resist adding them:  (added 9/17)  In the first photo you can see the bristles near the bill that trigger the bird to open its bill.  This is used when they are foraging in the leaves and come across a tasty treat.

Ovenbirds

Photos by Jane Wiewora

The Blue Jay was also a youngster and a sassy one at that.  The bander is receiving its opinion of  being banded.  In the second photo the arrow indicates the remaining young feathers indicating that this is a young bird.

Blue Jays

Photos by Jane Wiewora

We were going to attempt banding the next day but we were rained out.  Call us persistent/dedicated/crazy but we went anyway and eventually took down the poles we had left up.  

Next banding session:  September 22.  Nets go up between 6 and 6:30.  

September 8, 2015 Finally four!

After banding on Monday at a Painted Bunting site (see Painted Buntings - Season 3 in the Pages section) and only getting Northern Cardinals I just had to wonder if we would catch something other than cardinals.  Migrants were showing up in larger numbers but sometimes they are hard to catch. We ended up with 4 birds and 4 species banded.

First up was an American Redstart.  It was somewhat camera shy but at least we got a photo!  The true colors aren't well represented in the early morning light but you can see the lighter tail "starts" and some color in the underwing.  In real life these were yellow and this bird was aged and sexed as an adult female.

American Redstart

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Next up was an Ovenbird.  At first we had only detected these 2 warbler species so it was great to have them in the net. The Ovenbird was born this past summer.  The light tips on the wing coverts indicate this.  All birds should have tiny arrows to show these key features!

Ovenbird

Photo by Jane Wiewora

We had a bit of a wait but soon we had a Black-throated Blue Warbler.  This bird was aged/sexed as a young male based on the colors and the fact that the black throat had some white speckles instead of being solid black.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Lastly we caught a Worm-eating Warbler.  I don't think I can ever again think of this species without remembering a typo I saw that labeled one as a Work-eating Warbler.  So fun to imagine!!  This bird cannot be sexed but was aged as an adult bird.  

Worm-eating Warbler

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Also on the property were 2 Summer Tanagers, 1 Scarlet Tanager, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and a Great Crested Flycatcher.  Come on migrants!

I expect that the next few weeks will bring us more migrants.  Come visit.  Nets go up early and most birds are caught pretty early but come when you can.  

Next session:  September 15.  Nets go up at 6:30.

September 1, 2015 Ditto

Well today much like last week we caught 3 Northern Cardinals.  Unlike last week we did not manage to take even one photo.

The cardinals were all hatch-year birds; born this summer.  All of them were in the same net at the same time.  One appeared to be a bit older and it was actually one of the ones we banded last week. The other two were quite young.  They were molting body, tail, and wing feathers but not many yet. At one point Nancy Price was holding one in each hand - a hard thing to do and not get bitten.

Just to have a photo I am showing this Painted Bunting that returned to one of our banding locations. All of this season's adventures and more information on these birds are on the Page called Painted Buntings - Season 3.  (Look near the upper right)  Can you see the bands?  This one is dark blue over yellow on the right.  I have also made a new page called Encouraging Painted Buntings as we get requests for this a lot.  On the page is a copy of a handout we use at talks and plans for an enclosed bunting feeder that Painteds really like.

Painted Bunting

Photo by Vicki Rogerson

Next banding will be Tuesday, September 8.  Nets go up at 6:30 am.  Weather permitting.

August 25, 2015 Red Letter (Bird?) Day

It really should have started with a parade and some fanfare but alas, it was actually 3 people with headlamps setting up nets.  Today was opening session for our fourth fall banding season.

We did not expect a lot today as migrants are just starting to move through in small numbers.  We did have a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on the property today but the rest were typical residents.

The fun was the presence of young birds born this spring/summer.  We captured three Northern Cardinals today - an adult female and 2 young males.  All three had new feathers growing in.  Can you spot the feather still in sheath?

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Next banding session:  Tuesday, September 1.  Nets go up around 6:30 am.  Remember this is weather dependent - rain cancels banding.

August 7, 2015 - Another Season Begins

And so it begins.  If all goes well we will be banding at Possum Long again starting on Tuesday, August 25.  If there is rain in the forecast the session may be cancelled.  We are hoping for a great fall migration.  I am currently at 99 species banded in my life and I am looking forward to that 100th species.  Do you want to guess??

Banding a Lazuli Bunting in 2010

Next session:  August 25 with nets going up at 6:30 am.

July 24, 2015 - Go see Painted Buntings - Season Two Page

Well it has been a while since there was something to post.  We just got word that one of our color-banded Painted Buntings was observed in Georgia.  I'm going to put the story and more photos on the Painted Buntings - Season Two page (look for Pages in the upper right of the blog front page and scroll to the end).  http://brdbander.blogspot.com/p/painted-buntings-season-two.html  The pages don't send out notifications so this post should if you have signed up.

We hope to start banding at Possum Long within the month.  Unless volunteers' schedules change we will be regularly banding on Tuesdays and will have "emergency" sessions when there are a lot of migrants (please).  I will post again when we set a date.  Hope to see you then.

Painted Bunting resighting, Skidaway Beach SP, GA

Photo by Debbie Carr-Taylor

May 5, 2015

So comes the end of a wonderful spring run at Possum Long Banding Station.  But, it is just a break; we will be back in late summer in preparation for fall migration.

It is now breeding time and the birds of Possum Long are at it.  This time last year the Blue Jays were fledging and judging by the noises we heard today the young may be out of the nest really soon.  We have seen young Northern Cardinals in the area.  Our Osprey are about to fledge THREE young.  It is time to let them carry on bringing a new generation to the property.

It has been so fun to watch the Yellow-crowned Night-Herons.  We observed 3 nesting pair a block away over the last few weeks.  Our own bird has provided us with a lot of fun observations.  Is it lonely?  Just late to the game?  Is it trying to build a flimsy nest and maybe not doing so well?

Today we were up to 3 birds practically over our banding table.  Today's vocalizations and feather displays were amazing.  Will a nest happen here or are they on nests in the next block?

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Photo by Nancy Price

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Photo by Nancy Price

We did not band any birds today.  There was very little migration action (none) and the rains threatened.  There's no joy in trying to dry nets.  So, we are done for now.  Join us again in the fall.  

There are so many folks to thank for a wonderful time.  Every volunteer brings special talents and joy.  It is a privilege to know and work with you all.  THANK YOU!  

Next banding session should start in mid-August.  I will post ahead of the start-up.  Subscribe and get an email whenever there's a new post!