April 30th, 2006

Selkirk

April 30, 2001 was a red letter day at Selkirk. It was the first 200 bird day for any of the HBO stations when 206 birds were banded. Birds continued to move through the banding area all day, and It was close to 8 pm before I was able to head for home.

Today the bird movement dried up shortly after noon. We had a pleasant walk out looking at the flora and fauna. I was home shortly after 5 pm even with a lot of chit chat.
Banded: RBNU 1, HOWR 1, WIWR 1, RCKI 19, VEER 1, HETH 38, WOTH 1, AMRO 1, BHVI 1, MYWA 2, BTNW 1, WPWA 3, OVEN 2, COYE 1, SAVS 2, LISP 1, SWSP 7, WTSP 118, EWCS 2, SCJU 1, AMGO 2 =206!!!!!!!!!!!

STD 1400

Selkirk's top 10 so far this spring

GCKI 242
WTSP 217
RCKI 164
SCJU 121
HETH 116
SOSP 95
ATSP 75
AMGO 48
AMRO 42
BRCR 26

John

Ruthven

We had a busy morning with an influx of birds and an influx of visitors - McMaster's 2nd year biodiversity class (or some of it) visited to get a sense of what we're doing.

In some years when they've visited we've been hard pressed to scare up any birds for them to experience but not so this morning. We had a 'push' for about 3 hoiurs that netted us 56 birds banded (our highest total so far this season) and 8 retraps.

Banded (56): 1 TRES, 1 BLJA, 17 RCKI, 1 HETH, 6 MYWA, 3 CHSP, 1 SOSP, 1 SWSP, 16 WTSP, 3 RWBL, 1 PUFI, 5 AMGO.

Retraps: 1 TRES, 1 BLJA, 1 WBNU, 2 SOSP, 1 WTSP, 2 AMGO.

The retrapped TRES was interesting: it is the 2nd bird retrapped from a clutch of young birds banded at the same time from the same box on Indiana Road last June.

Rick

Mac student Naoya Kaneda learned very quickly how to scribe - the force was strong with him this day.


McMaster visitors: Rachel, Eric, Melannie, Jeremy, Sheila, and Naoya.


Below are more photos showing the McMaster students' bird banding experience.

April 29th, 2006 - A new banding record for Ruthven!

Ruthven

An air of barely-concealed excitement pervaded the banding area this morning. The banders carried on like it was business as usual but even they had an extra bounce in their step. A new Ruthven record was within grasp. The previous high for birds banded in April was 597, achieved in 1999. Going into the morning we sat at 569. Fortunately, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and White-throated Sparrows, hearing of this chance for noteriety, flew in during the night en masse. By the end of the day we had banded a total of 34 and set a new record of 603 for the month of April (with yet another day to go!).

The day also brought the first Northern Waterthrush and Eastern Towhee of the year.

Birds banded (34): 1 MODO, 1 HOWR, 11 RCKI, 1 HETH, 1 NOWA, 3 CHSP, 2 SWSP, 12 WTSP, 2 AMGO.

Also had 9 retraps: 2 BCCH, 2 HOWR (both originally banded in 2004 - the one an AHY bird, the other a HY), 1 SOSP, 1 WTSP, 1 BHCO, 2 AMGO.

Rick

Photo captions appear above photos:

Northern Waterthrush


It's always nice to have young visitors! (Shown holding a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, here, and a White-throated Sparrow in the next photo.)




Clutch of duck eggs found by Linda Thrower beside the (quickly drying up) vernal pond below Net #8.


Linda Thrower indicating the habitat concealing the nest.


A VISIT BY THE THREE STOOGES!!!



Selkirk

Pretty quiet opening this morning, little song and a lack of bird movement. When I got back to the banding lab the net by the trailer, which is the first net I open, had 10 birds in it! The next net north alone the hedge row had nothing. The first round produced 8 more new birds so it looked like it could be a decent day with about double the birds banded Friday. By 11:30 am a little over 30 birds had been banded and it was shaping up to be a fairly decent day. Started out at 12:30 to do last check. Mean while a mixed group of birds were working alone the west hedge row and would continue to filter into the banding nets. Instead of a fairly decent day ended up with a fairly good day.

Banded: MODO 2, YSFL 1, RCKI 11, HETH 6, MYWA 4, WPWA 1, NOCA 1, CHSP 6, SWSP 2, WTSP 33, SCJU 3, RWBL 1, COGR 2, BHCO 2, AMGO 3 = 78

STD 1194

John

April 28th, 2006

Ruthven

A cold, clear morning at Ruthven with frost much in evidence. The first COLO flew over at 0505 followed by a clump/group/flock/herd/shoal? of 8 at 0515. What is a grouping of loons called anyway? I think a parliament of loons sounds appropriate, but some might say we already have one....

A few new migrants around. Rick found the first YWAR of the season along the river flats during census, and a RSHA made a quick fly-over just before noon.

One of the KILL has taken to perching on the roof of the bathrooms which looks oddly wrong.

Banded 29: AMGO 17, RCKI 4, CHSP, PUFI, WTSP, AMRO, EUST, BLJA, YSFL 2 (both of the subspecies earsplittingracketus)

Retrapped 11: AMGO 6, DOWO 2, SOSP 2, BLJA

B

Selkirk

Nice weather = no birds. Today was no exception.

Banded: HOWR 1, RCKI 2, AMRO 1, WPWA 1, SAVS 1, WTSP 1, RWBL 1 = 9

The LALO spring flight has started. Had a group of 5 go right over the banding site, all bright coloured males. Heard others.

John

April 27th, 2006

Ruthven

Well, what a difference a day makes! And the difference is all in the wind, or lack there of! It was a perfect day for birding, and I have the improved numbers to show for it (censused and banded birds).

I banded the following (33): 5 BLJA, 2 HOWR, 11 RCKI, 1 HETH, 3 CHSP, 2 WTSP, 1 PUFI, and 8 AMGO.

Retrapped (10): 1 BCCH, 3 RCKI, 4 CHSP, 1 BHCO, and 1 AMGO.

I had a couple of firsts for the season: Blue headed Vireo, and Spotted Sandpiper.

The display of wild flowers in the ravine is spectacular, with three kinds of violets (blue, yellow and white) yellow and white trout lilies, spring beauty, wild strawberry, and trilliums that are just breaking. On the NE side of the Mansion a cherry tree is just coming into blossom. Maple trees around the mansion are also in bloom. The leaves will not be far behind, and with them - the warblers!

It was interesting to have netted and banded 5 BLJA today. (They are the first jays banded this spring) Jays are regulars at Ruthven, especially at the feeders, and at this time of year, we tend to get more retrapped birds, with the occasional "new" bird. There were a lot of BLJA's in the park this morning, and it is always difficult to get a good estimate of their numbers because they are very vocal, and they move around a lot. With the small influx of the birds, it would be natural to conclude that they were just moving through--except that 2 of these jays had brood patches! Go figure!

Loretta

Selkirk

A touch of frost in low lying areas on the way in this morning. There did not seem to be much around early. A few birds move through early in the afternoon. Ended up with a fairly decent day, not much in numbers but a good selection of variety.

Banded: MODO 1, TRES 1, BLJA 1, ETTI 1, RBNU 1, BRCR 1, HOWR 1, RCKI 8, HETH 1, AMRO 1, NAWA 1, MYWA 1, FISP 1, SAVS 1, SOSP 1, WTSP 3, SCJU 2, RWBL 2 = 29 of 18 species.

John

April 26th, 2006

Ruthven

It was a pretty morning, frost outlining every twig and leaf. The nets were a bit frosty, but didn't open too badly, and for the most part stayed where put on the frosty poles.

By mid morning Turkey Vultures were having a great time playing on the wind. But I think they were the only ones enjoying it. I for one gave it a big thumbs down!

The river is quite high, and really fast flowing. There were virtually no birds on the river on census. No ducks, no CAGO, no swallows, no BEKI no GBHE. No warblers were seen or heard today either. The strong wind really hampers the net capture rate as well, so all in all the day was quiet.

Brian had some excitement in Hill House this morning though. He banded a EUST that had found it's way into the chimney, and was trapped there.

I collected ticks from 2 birds this morning, a SCJU, and a RCKI.

It was nice to have a visit from Irene Schmidt, who drives down from Cambridge to see the birds. She promises to attend our Banding Open House, May the 13. It will also be Irene's 86th birthday!!

Today we banded 16 birds, 2 RCKI, 1 AMRO, 1 EUST, 2 CHSP, 1 SCJU, 3 WTSP, 1 RWBL, 1 PUFI, and 4 AMGO.

We were revisited by 9: 1 RCKI, 1 AMRO, 1 NOCA, 1 SOSP, 2 WTSP, 1 PUFI, and 2 AMGO.

Loretta

Selkirk

A frosty cold morning to start. The winds came up mid morning resulting in some nets blowing a bit.

Still managed to band: MODO 2, TRES 1, RCKI 4, AMRO 1, SOSP 1. WTSP 4, SCJU 1, RWBL 2 = 18

John

April 25th, 2006

Ruthven

Although many birds were evident at Ruthven Park, particularly RCKI, WIWR, and CHSP, the weather decided to be uncooperative, hence low banding totals.

A moderate wind was blowing at dawn which delayed the opening of the riverside nets. When the wind dropped and the nets were dutifully opened however, it started to rain. Of course it didn't actually start raining until we had walked back to the banding lab....

Several RBNU were heard calling throughout the morning and the first NAWA of the season put in a (very) brief appearance before disappearing into the valley.

A large tick was captured in Net 6. It had a HETH attached.

Banded 12: RCKI 8, AMGO, CHSP, RBNU, HETH

Retrapped 1: RCKI

This low retrap total could be due to a) a migratory exodus of birds from the area, b) the poor weather conditions, c) the fact that today was Ruthven's annual "test the security and fire alarms day" with accompanying dulcet serenade, or d) a family curse.

B

Descriptions appear above photos, and clicking on photos will enlarge them:

The Red-Breasted Nuthatch that was banded today. These are a bit of a rarity at Ruthven.

Jeff checking out the muscle and fat-load on the Nuthatch. Does anyone have thoughts about the sex, age, and fat load of this bird? There are three pictures you can use. Leave a comment. (Brian, if you remember, maybe you can comment on what you called it--I can't remember.)


Brian removing the Hermit Thrush attached to the tick we found in net #6.


Jeff banding one of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet trapped today.


A better look at the Kinglet being banded above. All but one of the Ruby-Crowned Kinglets trapped today were male.


There are a few pairs of Eastern Bluebirds around the property now. This guy was sitting in the woods near another bluebird, a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, and the Nashville Warbler Brian spotted.


The willow near the banding station is now quite colorful.


Selkirk

Another decent day at Selkirk. The best bird netted today at Selkirk I released unbanded, namely a female RTHU. This is the first April RTHU I have had in Selkirk and from what I can remember may be my first ever April Ontario Sighting. Since I am now in my 51st spring of serious birding I considered this significant.

Banded: RCKI 10, HETH 4, AMRO 3, BTNW 1, SOSP 2, WTSP 3= 23

John

April 24th, 2006

Ruthven

This morning was heavily overcast, but the sun managed to peek out for a few minutes. The creek that runs through the valley was bursting with run off from the past 2 days of rain. The muddy clay paths were very slippery, especially on the slopes! It got quite windy by mid-morning, really billowing the nets.

There were 4 Pine Warblers on census, a species that we don't get many of at Ruthven Park. One was a male with bright yellow breast; the other 3 were quite "washed out" - probably females.The first House Wrens have returned. They will be fighting it out with the TRES's and EABL's for nest boxes. (The HOWR's usually win!)

WTSP's and RCKI's were moving through the park. All the RCKI had good fat loads,(scores of 3, 4, and 5, some weighing as much as 7.3 g!!) and all were male.

Banded 31 as follows: 1 HAWO,(with a brood patch) 1 BCCH, 10 RCKI, 1 BGGN, 1 AMRO, 1 CHSP, 2 FISP, 9 WTSP, 2 RWBL, and 3 AMGO.

Retrapped 13: 1 DOWO, 1 BCCH, 1 WBNU, 1 RCKI, 3 CHSP, 2 WTSP, 1 RWBL, 1 BHCO, 2 AMGO.

Loretta

Selkirk

On the way in a WPWI was calling. As it became light the woods were full of calling WTSP. As often is the case when the WTSP are calling in mass the number ending up in the nets is very few. Today was no exception.

We did end up with a decent day including a couple of goodies.
Banded: BLJA 1, WIWR 1, RCKI 7, HETH 2, AMRO 5, MYWA 1, PIWA 2, WPWA 1, WTSP 2, SCJU 1, BHCO 1 = 24

John

April 23rd, 2006

Ruthven

It was raining hard on arrival but pretty well stopped shortly thereafter and, for about an hour and a half, we had just a light drizzle. We opened only nets 1 & 2 - the feeder nets - so that we could close quickly if necessary and so that birds were extracted quickly. We closed at 0730 when the rain returned and remained steady (and the temperature dropped a degree).

There were certainly birds around to be had, especially along the net 10 - 6 "corridor". As it was we banded 14 and retrapped 4.

Banded: 1 BRCR, 1 HETH, 3 CHSP, 6 WTSP, 1 SCJU, 1 PUFI, 1 AMGO.

Retrapped: 1 BCCH, 1 RCKI, 1 SCJU, 1 BHCO.

We currently sit at 448 birds banded this Spring season (starting April 1st). This makes this the second-best April we've had. We banded 428 birds in April '03 & '05 but we're quite a way behind the record April of '99 when we banded 597.

Rick

Selkirk

The over night rain persisted into the early morning. Radar indicated the storm was moving east at good clip so I caught up on some shut eye. By 9:15 the western edge of the storm was clearing the base of Long Pt. so I headed for the park and a late start. The day was a mixed bag with the sun trying to break through and the occasional passing shower. Despite these off and on conditions we managed to have a fairly decent banding day.

Banded: MODO 1, RCKI 12, HETH 2, AMRO 6, MYWA 2, SOSP 1, WTSP 7, RWBL 2, BHCO 2, AMGO 1 = 36

PIWA and a BAWW were vocal this morning.

Selkirk's top 10 so far
GCKI 242
SCJU 113
RCKI 103
SOSP 91
ATSP 75
HETH 65
WTSP 53
AMGO 40
AMRO 30
BRCR 25

STD 1013

John

April 23rd, 2006

Ruthven

It was raining hard on arrival but pretty well stopped shortly thereafter and, for about an hour and a half, we had just a light drizzle. We opened only nets 1 & 2 - the feeder nets - so that we could close quickly if necessary and so that birds were extracted quickly. We closed at 0730 when the rain returned and remained steady (and the temperature dropped a degree).

There were certainly birds around to be had, especially along the net 10 - 6 "corridor". As it was we banded 14 and retrapped 4.

Banded: 1 BRCR, 1 HETH, 3 CHSP, 6 WTSP, 1 SCJU, 1 PUFI, 1 AMGO.

Retrapped: 1 BCCH, 1 RCKI, 1 SCJU, 1 BHCO.

We currently sit at 448 birds banded this Spring season (starting April 1st). This makes this the second-best April we've had. We banded 428 birds in April '03 & '05 but we're quite a way behind the record April of '99 when we banded 597.

Rick

Selkirk

The over night rain persisted into the early morning. Radar indicated the storm was moving east at good clip so I caught up on some shut eye. By 9:15 the western edge of the storm was clearing the base of Long Pt. so I headed for the park and a late start. The day was a mixed bag with the sun trying to break through and the occasional passing shower. Despite these off and on conditions we managed to have a fairly decent banding day.

Banded: MODO 1, RCKI 12, HETH 2, AMRO 6, MYWA 2, SOSP 1, WTSP 7, RWBL 2, BHCO 2, AMGO 1 = 36

PIWA and a BAWW were vocal this morning.

Selkirk's top 10 so far
GCKI 242
SCJU 113
RCKI 103
SOSP 91
ATSP 75
HETH 65
WTSP 53
AMGO 40
AMRO 30
BRCR 25

STD 1013

John

April 23rd, 2006

Ruthven

It was raining hard on arrival but pretty well stopped shortly thereafter and, for about an hour and a half, we had just a light drizzle. We opened only nets 1 & 2 - the feeder nets - so that we could close quickly if necessary and so that birds were extracted quickly. We closed at 0730 when the rain returned and remained steady (and the temperature dropped a degree).

There were certainly birds around to be had, especially along the net 10 - 6 "corridor". As it was we banded 14 and retrapped 4.

Banded: 1 BRCR, 1 HETH, 3 CHSP, 6 WTSP, 1 SCJU, 1 PUFI, 1 AMGO.

Retrapped: 1 BCCH, 1 RCKI, 1 SCJU, 1 BHCO.

We currently sit at 448 birds banded this Spring season (starting April 1st). This makes this the second-best April we've had. We banded 428 birds in April '03 & '05 but we're quite a way behind the record April of '99 when we banded 597.

Rick

Selkirk

The over night rain persisted into the early morning. Radar indicated the storm was moving east at good clip so I caught up on some shut eye. By 9:15 the western edge of the storm was clearing the base of Long Pt. so I headed for the park and a late start. The day was a mixed bag with the sun trying to break through and the occasional passing shower. Despite these off and on conditions we managed to have a fairly decent banding day.

Banded: MODO 1, RCKI 12, HETH 2, AMRO 6, MYWA 2, SOSP 1, WTSP 7, RWBL 2, BHCO 2, AMGO 1 = 36

PIWA and a BAWW were vocal this morning.

Selkirk's top 10 so far
GCKI 242
SCJU 113
RCKI 103
SOSP 91
ATSP 75
HETH 65
WTSP 53
AMGO 40
AMRO 30
BRCR 25

STD 1013

John

April 22nd, 2006 - Ruthven's Spring Cleanup Day

Selkirk

With an all day rain in the forecast, I was not in too great a hurry to do anything this morning. However, when I checked the radar there was no rain showing up west of us to the west of Michigan and south of Ohio. There was a light drizzle on the way down to the park and on the way back to the station. This stopped around 8 am and the rest of the morning was dry. However a dense fog bank did roll in just before 11 am reducing visiblity to under 100 M.
Bird wise yesterday morning there were very few WTSP calling and we ended up banding a pile of them as well as HETH. This morning there was a real din of WTSP and the banding total was down 60% for WTSP and 75% for HETH compared to Friday!!!!!

However today was still a good banding day at Selkirk for the 3rd day in a row. Of note, John Dickie had a GREG at the tip Friday afternoon.

Banded today: WIWR 2, RCKI 26, HETH 4, AMRO 2, BRTH 2, EATO 1, CHSP 1, SOSP 2, WTSP 12, SCJU 2=54

John

Ruthven - Spring Cleanup Day

It was the annual Spring Cleanup Day at Ruthven Park - a day when board members and other volunteers spend a morning getting the site ready for the coming tourist season. So, raking, digging gardens, gathering twigs and branches, picking up litter, clearing the trails. (The major benefit is that there's a BBQ at noon for the volunteers/banders.)

Lots of people didn't show thinking that the early morning rain would act to postpone the event but....nope. We carried on.

The rain did delay the opening of the nets. When it turned to a light drizzle, around 7:00, we opened most of the nets. During the night there was an influx of Chipping Sparrows - we banded 14, retrapped 2 (birds banded last Spring) and estimated there were at least 40 around the site. Jim (Biggar) caught a Sharp-shinned Hawk - it flew into the net beside his head as he was extracting a SCJU. The Junco escaped; the hawk didn't. (See photos below).

Brian had our first Western Palm Warbler of the season on census.

As well as cleanup, there was an art display/sale in the Coach House - so there were lots of people around. This activity probably interrupted the catching, especially in the nets close to the parking area. The bag piper certainly wan't attracting any birds. Still, we banded 31 and retrapped 15.

Banded: 1 SSHA, 1 EAPH, 2 WIWR, 1 GCKI, 1 RCKI, 2 HETH, 1 AMRO, 14 CHSP, 1 SWSP, 2 WTSP, 1 RWBL, 1 PUFI, 3 AMGO.

Retrapped: 1 HAWO, 4 DOWO, 2 BCCH, 2 CHSP, 1 SOSP, 1 SCJU, 1 PUFI, 3 AMGO.

Photos:
A Male Sharp-shinned Hawk - commonly seen at Ruthven but rarely banded.




Jim Biggar showing the Sharp-shinned Hawk to Ruthven CAO Marilyn Havelka and board members Lee Merritt and Jim Smith.


A Winter Wren.


A Purple Finch.

More Pictures from Ruthven - April 22nd, 2006 - Spring Cleanup Day

The promise of a free lunch brings people from all walks of life to the banding lab.


There was an art show going on in the Coach House. There was a bag piper there to add ambience. Betsy Smith stated that she was a perfect bitch and asked Lee Merritt to run the guy down with his ATV. (I later learned she said she had perfect pitch - but still wanted the guy run down as the music irritated her...).


Betsy Smith and John Oakes, learning from Thursday's blog, preparing lunch for the banders.


CAO Marilyn Havelka, learning from Thursday's blog, brings victuals for the banders.


Found two eggs on the lawn. Was wondering if the one on the right was from a Painted Bunting.

April 21st, 2006

Selkirk

Pretty quiet at first light but a few WTSP were calling. First net run was very productive but things started to ease off as the morning progressed. By early afternoon the birds basically had left the banding area.

Banded: HOWR 1, WIWR 2, GCKI 1, RCKI 16, HETH 17, AMRO 1, BRTH 1, CHSP 1, SOSP 7, SWSP 6, WTSP 29, SCJU 11, RWBL 1, BHCO 3, AMGO 3 = 100

STD 923

On the way out near where we park a BTNW was singing.

-John

Ruthven

There was been a change of birds at Ruthven, evident by the few numbers of retrapped birds. We had only 4 today. There were a few more Yellow-rumped Warblers and White-throated Sparrows around, but still no great numbers of anything. There was a cool east wind, and it was spitting rain on and off all morning, but not enough rain to really wet the nets.

We counted 18 Common Loons this morning! (All within half an hour, starting just before 6am standard time. Most heading N, or NE, some following the river, but a couple were heading W).

Brian had a group of about 12 students from Cayuga High School's Ecology Club, so we had a full house for a couple of hours in the morning. It was nice that the birds and weather cooperated for this demonstration!

Banded 23 as follows: 1 BCCH, 3 RCKI, 1 AMRO, 4 MYWA, 1 CHSP, 1 FISP, 3 WTSP, 1 PUFI, and 8 AMGO.

Retrapped 4 birds: 2 BCCH, 1 SCJU, and 1 AMGO.

One of the Chickadees has been trapped over 50 times! He was first banded in March of 2002. (We get so that we recognise the 9 digit band number of some of these characters!)

Loretta

Announcement!

We have confirmed breeding evidence for Hooded Merganser at Ruthven! Linda and Al Thrower discovered 10 HOME eggs (and a female) in one of the Wood Duck boxes they're monitoring along the river.

April 20th, 2006

Selkirk
The 1/2 dozen or so ATSP that have been freeloading at the j-trap did not appear today. Perhaps they finally have gone north. A few birds did move in over night resulting in a fairly good day at Selkirk.

Banded: WIWR 1, GCKI 1, RCKI 22, HETH 23, AMRO 1, MYWA 4, FISP 1, SAVS 1, SOSP 3, SWSP 3, WTSP 2, SCJU 16, RWBL 1, BHCO 3, AMGO 1 = 83

Some trout lillies were out in bloom today. Also seen the first blooming early buttercup of the season.

John


Ruthven

Years of banding tends to pervert one's perceptions. Here I am, opening the nets under a waning half moon, the skies clear, the sun about to burst forth into another glorious day and I'm thinking: "Damn!!!...nice weather again. No birds!" I'll bet I was the only person in southern Ontario with that take on the day.

And as it turned out, there weren't a lot of 'new' birds around.
Banded 23: 1 MODO, 1 BCCH, 2 RCKI, 1 CHSP, 1 FISP, 1 SWSP, 5 SCJU, 3 RWBL, 5 BHCO, 3 AMGO.

Retrapped 10: 1 DOWO, 1 AMRO, 1 CHSP (at least 3 years old), 1 FISP, 1 WTSP, 1 SCJU, 2 BHCO, 2 AMGO.

There was some consolation however. There was a brilliant male Pine Warbler calling along the edge by the cement gate posts. (Sounds like a melodic Chipping Sparrow.) Its bright yellow breast stuck out 75 m away. There were at least 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers (both males) in the woods behind the cemetery. And there were 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches in the same area - a relative rarity at Ruthven.

-Rick

Some photos (descriptions appear above the photos):

Waning half moon at opening time.


White Adder's Tongues are beginning to blossom at Ruthven.


Linda Jackson - the front office 'animator' (this is the new word for the person that makes things happen). Linda keeps all Ruthven's balls in the air....so to speak. She is bringing food to the bander as she has come to understand the strong positive correlation between victuals and bander happiness. Note the environmentally-friendly golf cart. They do have bicycles for getting around on the grounds but...evidently you have to pedal them.


A carpet of Spring Beauties emerging in front of the Historic Mansion.


Field Sparrow (left) and Swamp Sparrow (right) for comparison.

One more photo from Ruthven

A Field Sparrow (left) and Swamp Sparrow(right), for comparison.

April 19th, 2006

Ruthven

What an exceptional April day, weather wise. No frost, no wind, no clouds. And so it follows, not many birds either.

There are always a few surprises, though. Like the fox making a hasty retreat down the path towards the river just before dawn this morning. Like the European Starling that laid an egg in the net! (That is the first time I have had that happen!) Like a rather late American Tree Sparrow that I banded.

Birds banded this morning (22): 1 MODO, 1 WBNU, 1 RCKI, 2 EUST, 1 NOCA, 1 ATSP, 1 CHSP, 2 WTSP, 5 SCJU, and 7 AMGO.

Retrapped (13): 3 DOWO, 3 BCCH, 1 AMRO, 1 CHSP, 1 SOSP, 1 SCJU, and 3 AMGO.

One of the Goldfinches was a foreign retrap, that is, banded at another station (I think).

Loretta

Selkirk

A bit of variety but no numbers. Not much movement could be detected in the banding area.

Banded; MODO 1, BCCH 1, GCKI 1, RCKI 1, HETH 1, AMRO 1, FOSP 1, SOSP 2, SWSP 1, SCJU 4, RWBL 1, COGR 1, BHCO 1= 17

A BGGN was calling over the parking lot on the way out.

John

April 18th, 2006

Ruthven

It was a beautiful cloudless morning at Ruthven. And, like Selkirk, lovely weather in April usually doesn't result in very good banding for us. And so it went today.

We banded only 18: 1 EAPH, 1 BCCH, 1 HETH, 1 CHSP, 2 SOSP, 3 SCJU, 1 RWBL, 8 AMGO.

We also only handled 10 retraps: 1 BCCH, 2 NOCA, 1 CHSP, 1 FISP, 1 SOSP, 1 WTSP, 2 SCJU, 1 AMGO. The SOSP was originally banded as an AHY bird in April 2003; the two NOCA's were banded in 2004 - the male in September and the female in April.

Four COLO's went over this morning - all early. The two at 6:10 were heading due north; the two at 6:27...well, one was headed north and passed another heading south.

The pictures are of Georgian Bay in the Tobermory area. I took part in our annual family backpacking trip over the weekend. I encountered (either saw or heard) a number of loons in these waters. Nice to think of the birds passing overhead making for these waters. It's probably just a staging area though as most will be heading farther north.

Rick







Selkirk

Another nice day but again no small passerines in the banding area. A few birds moved in late in the morning to at least make the day worthwhile.

Banded: MODO 1, YBSA 1, RCKI 1, HETH 4, AMRO 2, WTSP 1, SCJU 5, BHCO 1, AMGO 3 = 19

John

April 17th, 2006

Ruthven

A cool, clear, and windy day. Although a few new migrants had arrived during the night (mostly RCKI and WTSP), it was pretty quiet. A pair of seasonal firsts: CATE - flying low upriver into the teeth of the wind, and HETH.

First dragonfly of the season too. I didn't get a good look at it but it was possibly a Green Darner.

Banded 18: BRCR, RCKI 2, AMGO 3, BCCH 2, FISP, SCJU 2, CHSP 3, TRES 2, WTSP 2

Retrapped 6: AMGO 2, BHCO, SOSP 2, DOWO

B

Selkirk

Except for a bit of a breeze out of the NE, a nice day at Selkirk. The mud of earlier this week is drying fast. Cracks are starting to develop in the drying mud. As is often the case, nice weather equals poor banding days at Selkirk--today was no exception. A couple of new birds banded today for the spring, a RBNU and a EUST. Neither species were banded in the spring of '05. Starlings for some unknown reason are rather rarely caught at Selkirk. Today's bird is only the 10th in 11 years of banding at Selkirk.

Banded: MODO 1, RBNU 1, BRCR 1, GCKI 2, EUST 1, NOCA 1, SCJU 2 = 9

John

Screech Owl Photo

I got up with the lark this morning and drove from Burlington to Ruthven to try to get a shot of the Screech Owl in the Wood Duck box by the vernal pool behind # 2. The light wasn't too good at 7:00 AM and I was teetering on a fallen log so the attached picture is the best I could do.

Regards

John Millman