April 18th – Not Much Going On | Haldimand Bird Observatory

Bluebirds working together: the female builds the nest while the male fends off Tree Swallows.

I guess I should qualify the above title – there’s lots going on, just not involving a wide variety of species. The local breeders are working hard at carving out territories and building nests. But we’re still waiting for the long-distance migrants; in fact, we’re still waiting for the bulk of the short-distance migrants. However, we did see the first Blue-grey Gnatcatchers of the year today…along the Fox Den Trail.

A Trumpeter Swan floating down the river. -N. Furber

We are continuing to catch loads of Brown-headed Cowbirds. Lauren from Western will come tomorrow to pick up another bunch. When she does, the total will be over 60 since the beginning of April. I’d like to think that we’re significantly reducing the degree of nest parasitism in the area. But I don’t know….maybe we’re just opening up opportunities for “floaters” – birds drifting around the area but unable to breed. Today, many of the males were young or “second-year” birds (hatched last year). Is it possible that older males were excluding them from access to females? But now, with the older males gone, the young birds can breed (if they didn’t get caught)?

Brown Thrasher – 1st one banded this year.

The local American Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos are on their way north: our estimated totals for them today are 8 for the former and only 3 for the latter.

Banded 25:
1 Mourning Dove
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 Brown Thrasher
1 Northern Cardinal
2 American Tree Sparrows
2 Chipping Sparrows
1 Field Sparrow
2 Song Sparrows
1 White-throated Sparrow
12 Brown-headed Cowbirds

ET’s: 43 spp.
Photo Gallery:

Bob Fotheringham is getting very liberal in his old age. Normally Irene would carry the hamper on her head and the satchel in one of her hands but, as you can see, Bob decided to help her out. -N. Furber