Last night’s heavy rains have covered the south end of the Carolinian Trail – but the Chorus Frogs like it.
The weather changed dramatically during the night with T-storms, heavy downpours and high southerly winds. The ground was saturated this morning; trails were flooded and the River and Rill (R & R) were close to the top of their banks.
Rick’s Rill, almost at bank full, cuts precariously close to the end of net 10.
The sough below net 2 is now full – ideal for salamanders.
The local birding social media was calling for and, in some cases, experiencing significant movements of sparrows and the arrival of “new” species. We had 3 new ones: Hermit Thrush, Eastern Towhee and Field Sparrow. I was looking hard for Fox and White-throated Sparrows but to no avail (although the latter was reported only 10 km away). Tomorrow for sure…..It’s supposed to be a nice weekend weather-wise and if the wind drops, it could be exciting. Interestingly, our count of American Tree Sparrows and Juncos was down, suggesting that they had moved out during the night. Two of the 3 juncos that we banded this morning had low fat loads and weights indicating that they had been on the move through the night.
Female Northern Flicker – first one banded this year.
Due to the high winds and patchy rain we opened only 4 nets and the traps but for a reduced period of time.
Note the rounded rectrices and the large white patches on this female American Goldfinch – clues that it is an “older” bird (i.e., past it’s second year). It was originally banded in 2012.
Wing and tail feather detail of an older female American Goldfinch.
Banded 10:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Northern Flicker
2 Golden-crowned Kinglets
1 Hermit Thrush
1 Song Sparrow
3 Dark-eyed Juncos
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
Species Total: 41 spp.
Rick