Peter Thoem got this Yellow-rumped Warbler on census. -P. Thoem
I was at the Oakville campus of Fern Hill School this morning while Nancy held down the fort at Ruthven. Katherine and I were starting to set up a net spanning a moist thicket when something moved almost right under my foot. It was a very cryptic American Woodcock. And when it stood up it unveiled 3 young chicks that couldn’t have been more than a day or two old. Think about it: this bird, which incubates its eggs for 20-22 days, would have had to sit on those eggs right through all the cold and snow that we’ve had in the last 12 days. True perseverance!
At Ruthven:
First Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the year. -P. Thoem
On The Move
It was a beautiful spring day with warmer temperatures and light winds from the north. Two new banded species for the season included a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a White-throated Sparrow. With the gorgeous weather, we handled fewer American Tree Sparrows and Slate-colored Juncos. Birds are on the move and there’s the anticipation of seeing new migrants over the next few days.
Golden-crowned Kinglets continue to trickle through. -P Thoem
Male Ruby-crowned (left) and Golden-crowned Kinglets. -P. Thoem
Dark-eyed Junco checking out his new bling. -P. Thoem
Banded 32
3 Mourning Dove
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 American Robin
6 Song Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
10 Slate-colored Junco
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
8 American Goldfinch
ET’s: 38 spp.
Nancy
From Fern Hill School Oakville:
This Brown Creeper was an unexpected Surprise at Fern Hill’s Oakville campus.
We only had equipment for 2 nets but that was enough as we had them strategically placed close to the feeders that the school has maintained religiously. One exciting development is that Tree Swallows are beginning to show up and check out the 10 nesting boxes that Katherine, Chris Hinks, and I put up this Spring. Remember: this area has no history of nesting boxes, so there are no birds returning to the site from previous years. We just have to hope that a bird or birds will find them. After that they should be back year after year. But you need that first bird…..keep your fingers crossed.
Mr. Hinks with his first banded bird – an American Tree Sparrow.
Banded 26:
1 Mourning Dove
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Blue Jay
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Brown Creeper
1 American Robin
5 American Tree Sparrows
1 Song Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco
3 Red-winged Blackbirds
1 Common Grackle
2 Brown-headed Cowbirds
1 House Finch
6 American Goldfinches.
ET’s: 27 spp.
Rick