Migrants are Stirring

You could feel that things were a bit more active way before dawn today. Even the Great-crested Flycatchers were calling in the dark. Gray Catbirds were heard all over instead of just near Net 5. In fact, Catbirds made up most of our total today. We were too busy to take many photos but if you need to see a Catbird, here is one from about a year ago.



We also captured Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, and a Blue Jay. More colorful was the male Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler near the end of the day. He is in full breeding plumage and this species will be moving North anytime now.



Not long after that, we caught a female in the same net.



Bird-of-the-Day, however, went to a Northern Waterthrush we captured earlier in the day. This bird was unusual to us because we rarely catch this species outside of its Fall migration pattern. Again, no time for photos earlier in the day but here is a Northern Waterthrush from last Fall.



A nice total today and as we closed up, Susan and Christine made a new discovery along the path. A Common Checkered Skipper! None of us had seen this species before.



So, Spring Migration is in full start-up mode. Last year around this time we began getting more warblers and we hope to do the same next week.


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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 15th.

All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.