I'd Say Migration is On

Andrew was watching NEXRAD radar all Friday and liked what he saw. Birds were moving through the state in massive numbers all day long. Unable to stand the suspense, he decided to add a Saturday to the banding schedule. Good thing. We set an all-time high bird count for the banding location with 33 birds! 35 if you count the two that got away.

Not long after official sunrise our banding table looked like this. That's a way to start your day!



Catbirds are finally here. We usually begin to capture them in September but they were running late. We captured 5 today.



The most captured species, however, goes to the Common Yellowthroat. We captured 15 ranging from females...



...a couple juvenile males...



...and a couple adult males.



We weren't even thinking about Indigo Buntings this morning but we captured 2 of them. Our first this season.



Hanging in a net with a couple of Yellowthroats was a feisty White-eyed Vireo. Their numbers are picking up.



Another Veery joined us for some special jewelry. Not a lot of thrushes around so far.



Northern Waterthrushes have been around this whole session this year. They are often found hunting in the swampy areas near the lake.



We got to view one last week but getting to hold a Painted Bunting is a thing of wonder.



We caught 3 Ovenbirids today. Lucky if we can get one on any given banding day.



Right on time, we captured our first House Wren of the season. These are fun little birds to watch and listen to. This was was talking some strange song as it was being banded.



Another White-eyed Vireo dropped in later in the morning.



Last, but not least, our only official recapture of the day (a couple birds flew directly into nearby nets after being released at the table) was this beautiful Brown Thrasher.



Here's to tomorrow being just as exciting.
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Next Banding Day: Sunday, October 3rd.

All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.