May 21st, 2006

Ruthven

A cold, windy and rather unpleasant day. Rain continued past dawn before dispersing, although it remained a threat throughout the morning. The high wind that drove the rain clouds away (and kept bringing more in..) caused the nets to billow dramatically and much reduced the rate of capture. Remarkably though, there were birds around, particularly in sheltered areas.

The number of swallows found along the river continues to increase, with many Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, and Northern Rough-Winged Swallows being observed feeding close to the river's surface.

Also remarkable was the fact that Peter was attacked by only a single mosquito. I suspect rather than an attack the poor frigid mossie was trying to share body heat - an action that was sadly (and perhaps fatally) misinterpreted.

The first Olive -sided Flycatcher and Willow Flycatcher were recorded for the season.

Banded 31: NAWA 2, MAWA 10, AMGO, CSWA, YWAR 4, HOWR, MYWA, COYE, INBU, SWSP, SOSP, CEDW, GRCA 3, BAOR, RBGR, BHCO

Retrapped 12: BCCH, YWAR 4, RBGR 2, INBU, SOSP, AMGO 3

The INBU was originally banded at Ruthven Park as an AHY in 2002.

B

Selkirk

A damp start to the day. A cold front swept across the provincial during the night and the trailing edge was passing as I left in a light rain shower. By the time I got to the park and started to open the nets patches of blue sky were in the west. By the time the nets were 1/2 open blue sky was overhead. A raw strong westerly wind developed pushing most small birds to the east side of the bandign area where the odd small group found the nets. Not a great day but still a decent effort.

Banded: LEFL 2, VEER 2, AMRO 1, TEWA 1, MAWA 5, MYWA 4, OVEN 1, COYE 1, NOCA 1, RBGR 1, EWCS 4, AMGO 2 = 26

Selkirk's top species this spring with 40 or more banded

WTSP 394
GCKI 242
RCKI 242
HETH 134
SCJU 121
AMGO 112
SOSP 97
ATSP 75
MYWA 58
AMRO 58
MAWA 50
OVEN 48
GRCA 48
EWCS 46
YWAR 44
LISP 40

John