A Little Windy with a Splash of New

Another good dawn chorus, but the winds were too good to pass up for many migrating birds. Not too many birds dropped down today. We waited for a while before we even had our first bird.

Some of us sat at the table and chatted while others walked the lanes. Eventually, Andrew got up to check Net 2 and found a recaptured juvenile Hermit Thrush there.



Though quiet in the area, Gray Catbirds are getting ready to head North. We banded two new ones this morning.



As usual, when things get quiet, we begin to explore everything else around us. Out near the lake, Andrew found a Green Tree Frog in Net 21. It seemed particularly attracted to his neck gaiter and jumped on to it just after this blurry photo and was quickly tranfered to a nearby tree.



A bit closer to the lake there is now a forest of Golden Aster.



The Willow trees are blooming like crazy and sending flax all over the property. Catbird and other migrants are feasting on bits of blossoms. Mnay more warblers should be arriving soon to clean up insects on the trees. A few American Goldfinches were spotted today.



Connie found some interesting insects on her travels. First up was a female Rainbow Dung Beetle, (Phanaeus vindex).



Next up was a Leaf-footed Bug, (Acanthocephala terminalis). Haven't seen them in a while but now is the time they emerge.



Our Bird-of-the-Day was a species often seen and heard down near the lake. However, it was the first we have captured in 3 years. A Swamp Sparrow! It will not be long before they head North.



Our last cold front will be moving through this week and, hopefully, the Spring Migration will bring us more birds for the next few weeks. Fingers crossed.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Gray Catbird	2	0	2
Hermit Thrush	0	1	1
Swamp Sparrow	1	0	1
Totals	3	1	4

NOTE: To ensure the safety of our volunteers and the general public, new visitors are discouraged from attending banding at this time. The few of us who remain will update the blog as long as we can and hope to see new faces in the future. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 4th.
All nets will be opened by 6:40 A.M.

No Banding March 21st

Sorry for the inconvenience. Once I got out in the air I noticed it was not what I was expecting. Morning rain and increasing winds say 'back to bed'!. Sleep in and we will try again next week.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 28th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

Slow March Return

Well, the dawn chorus was amazing. However, the hovering high pressure seemed to keepall of the mirgating bird high overhead on thier way back to their nesting territories.

We started the day with a recapture and a new Gray Catbird before the day grew pretty quiet.



Our last bird of the day was an adult recaptured Brown Thrasher first banded a year and a half ago. We always use some colors to ID birds and Thrashers are noticable for having certain eye colors. We often compare adult Thrasher eye color to our tackle box. Unfortunately, we keep getting juveniles with milky eye shades.

Today, the adult confirmed that an adult eye matches the bright yellow neaby.



The day wound down without any other captures so we hope for a better day for next week. Unless the forecasted rain keeps us home. Stay tuned.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Gray Catbird	1	1	2
Brown Thrasher	0	1	1
Totals	1	2	3

NOTE: To ensure the safety of our volunteers and the general public, new visitors are discouraged from attending banding at this time. The few of us who remain will update the blog as long as we can and hope to see new faces in the future. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 21st.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.

No Banding March 7th

Morning rain and increasing winds say 'back to bed'!. Sleep in and we will try again next week.

Spring forward. Change your clocks.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 14th.
All nets will be opened by 7:05 A.M.