We headed into the morning dreaming of the growing Migration Peak. This is when we set nets all weekend for a few weeks in hopes of getting all of the early arrivals that we can waiting of the first Catbirds and other Fall arriving birds. The morning did start with a bit of a rush, but nothing like starts in the previous years.
Male Common Yellowthroats are arriving after the spate of females and our first bird of the day was one of those older males.
We have been surprised at the sudden rush of unbanded Northern Cardinals of late, but it turns out that they are all juveniles moving into maturity after a good breeding season for our locals. This young male was one of the newest additions to the banded flocks.
A molting juvenile Carolina Wren was next up, sporting newly emerging adult wing feathers.
One of our guests got to release the next Common Yellowthroat after processing.
Two Ovenbirds were captured in Net 2. The first was a recaptured adult first banded 2 years ago almost to the day. It was also caught in the same net.
Along side of the adult was a juvenile noted by the lighter fringes on the wing coverts. Perhaps an offspring following along during migration?
Next up, another juvenile Northern Cardinal, this time a female. This angle does not show the obvious black along the peak of the bill.
We did have all plumage variations of Common Yellowthroat. Adult male, adult female, and our final bird was a juvenile male. If you look closely, the young males are beginning to show flecks of black in the cheek which will become the 'mask' and the beginning of the silver brow.
Last year we had no captures of Swanson's Thrush which had us elated at the end of the day with our final capture of one. Last year was the first time ever that none were found here.
A good start for the weekend. What will tomorrow bring?
Sunday:
Well, far fewer birds. Half as many, actually. We started the morning with a female Common Yellowthroat.
One of our grateful visitors got to release her back into the wild.
Ovenbirds were the next batch to fly through.
This adult Ovenbird was obliging for a nice pose.
We did note the interesting fact that this bird showed edges of white on its adult outer tail feathers which we had not noticed with previous bandings.
An adult male Common Yellowthroat followed close behind.
Then a juvenile male rounded out the second day of all plumages of Common Yellowthroats. This one more of an older 'teenager'.
Net 6 has been interesting since its reestablishment. First a Flying Squirrel a week ago to a young frog this week.
We wrapped the morning with a Carolina Wren. So, no real migration push this week.
Checking the surrounding ponds on the way home, Andrew did find a family of Sandhill Cranes resting at Maitland Center. No Hooded Mergansers yet. They should arrive in a few weeks.
Like last year, no big early push of migrants. Maybe next week. Fingers crossed.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Saturday, October 5th and Sunday 6th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.
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