September 25th, 2006

Note: Several reports from Ruthven have been added to the Sept 20th-24th post below.

Ruthven

The nets were opened under the twinkling stars of a clear sky. As dawn approached the receding darkness began to fill with the contact calls of migrants descending on to Ruthven Park for respite from their long journey. Common Yellowthroat began to bicker in the shrubby areas surrounding the banding lab while the harsh cry of Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers could be heard from amongst the flocks of flitting jewels gleaning the foliage for succulent morsels.

The initial net round was rewarding and held the promise of a day filled with bounty....

Too bad the wind picked up and wrecked it all. Despite much activity in the sheltered areas of the property not much was captured after the first round. The exception were Grey Catbird and a small family group of Eastern Tufted Titmouse which was captured near Net 6.

Banded 29: GRCA 8, SOSP, HETH, SWTH, ETTI 2, COYE 2, MYWA 2, AMRE, RCKI 6, BTNW 3, NAWA, MAWA

Retrapped 4: HOWR, BTNW, SOSP, TEWA - the latter was banded on Sept 9th so has been hanging around for 16 days.

B.

Selkirk

The morning started up with numerous bird calls, something that has been lacking the past few days. A bit of a run on thrushes and sparrows early while there seemed to be a good number of passerines in the trees. We had a good steady day but were not swamped.

Banded: MODO 1, HOWR 1, RCKI 10, GCTH 4, GCBT 1, SWTH 3, AMRO 4, BHVI 1, REVI 2, NAWA 10, NOPA 1, MAWA 5, BTBW 10, MYWA 8, BTNW 1, AMRE 3, COYE 2, WIWA 1, INBU 1, WTSP 11, SCJU 1 = 83

John