We started off with a net full of Northern Cardinals. Three, in fact, in Net 11. One escaped as we approached and we saw a female watching the territorial battle across the river. One of the captures was a new Cardinal which is unusual for us after all these years.
Gray Catbirds are proving elusive this season. Thankfully, we caught one today.
Thrushes have been even fewer and far between this session. We caught two today. One was banded last November. The Bird-of-the-Day, though, would have to be the 2nd Hermit Thrush first banded as a juvenile 4 and a half years ago. It was caught in a net just 50 yards from where it was first captured demonstrating how birds travel such long distances to return to the same area year after year.
Myrtle Warblers are nearly nonexistent this year. There are a few that are hanging out near the lake. They are staying at the tips of the trees and are not feeding close to our nets.
As Richard was tending to future tree planting sites, he discovered an almost complete snake skin shedding, probably a Black Racer. The eye and jawline were included in the shedding. Newly arriving birds, such as Great-crested Flycatcher, will use such discarded items as nesting material.
A female Northern Cardinal, most likely the one we were seeing earlier, was caught a bit later. She was also a new bird to the area.
Birds are signing the songs of Spring. Still, bird rates are lower this year and fewer flocks are moving around the area. Odd. Hope we can get an increase of Spring migrants into April.
Note: No banding March 10th. Spring Break is demanding a bit of time off.
St. Patrick's Day it is!
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 17th.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.
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