April 8th, 2006

Ruthven

Minus 4 degrees and a cold north wind crusted over the vernal ponds and puddles, effectively muffling the Chorus Frogs until the late morning sun gave them a reprieve.

We had more retraps (30) today than banded birds (28). Many of the retraps were juncos (10) that are just hanging around trying to pack on some fat, waiting for the conditions to turn in their favour for the next jump north.

We did have a BANDING FIRST however - a Cooper's Hawk. A young male, it got a foot tangled in #4 while going after a Downy Woodpecker. Upon its release it headed north (in a hurry). It was replaced a short time afterward by another, older Cooper's Hawk. It spent about 2 hours around Net #2 - again, going after Downy Woodpeckers. It was quite determined: when there was a DOWO in the net, it didn't fly up into the trees until I was within 10 metres of it. While this bird was worrying the locals, another Cooper's Hawk flew over heading west - for a total of at least 3 different birds.

For the past 2 days the Eastern Screech Owl living in the Wood Duck box in the vernal pool behind #2 has been sitting in the entranceway at first light. It would make a great photograph. Later in the day I haven't seen it.

Banded birds: 1 COHA, 9 GCKI, 1 FISP, 2 SOSP, 3 SCJU, 12 AMGO = 28

Retrapped birds: 1 HAWO, 3 DOWO, 3 BCCH, 4 GCKI, 1 ATSP, 2 SOSP, 10 SCJU, 6 AMGO = 30.


Here are a few more shots of the Cooper's Hawk banded today.

A Field Sparrow, banded today.


Selkirk

A cold morning to start with a brisk biting wind. Not much around. Variety but no numbers.

Banded: MODO 1, EAPH 1, GCKI 3, AMRO 3, ATSP 3, SOSP 3, SCJU 2, BHCO 1, AMGO 2 = 19.

Actually a better-than-average total for this time of year at Selkirk.

John