The morning started with a rush. We captured another Veery on the first run.
In the same net, just feet apart, we got out first Swainson's Thrush of the season. We caught another Swainson's later in the day.
We have been hearing Brown Thrashers in the brush for the past few weeks. One of our birds we banded previously decided to make our acquaintance again.
The next run included one of two Ovenbirds for the day.
Common Yellowthroats ruled the day for the second week running and we managed to band a wide range of ages, from the youngest of males...
...to a slightly older one...
...all the way to a full-grown adult. We also captured females, too.
Last week we captured a few White-eyed Vireos. The majority of them were juveniles. Today we caught adults. One early in the morning...
...and another not long before we left.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are notoriously difficult to capture. We saw several escape nets last Sunday and once they figure out where a net is you can watch them fly headlong at it and then suddenly hover, change direction, and go right over or around it. Today, however, one was not paying attention. She is a pretty little bird.
Finally, what day would be complete without a visit from our local Carolina Wrens? We had some recaptures and a new bird to join the other family members in having some 'jewelry'.
Historically, next weekend is the peak rush for Fall Migration. As we usually do, we will band both days to try and capture as many birds as possible before they all clear through. It is always a hit or miss affair. If we are not there on the right day, we are left with meager banding subject. Being optimists, we prefer to think of our nets as 'half-full'.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Saturday, September 29th.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.
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