Two aging birds: the chickadee was banded in 2014 and Marnie was celebrating her 29th birthday today.
What a great holiday this is: a day off so families can just get together and do stuff without having to spend a lot of money on presents. Ruthven was really busy today with bird banding and a very interesting (and interactive) presentation on snakes. This format attracted people in droves. Some dropped into the banding lab by coincidence and out of simple curiousity while others were old friends and knew what they “were getting into”.
On the day we handled 71 birds: 40 new banded ones and 31 retraps. We also “handled” 78 visitors in some capacity. And, of course, the weather couldn’t have been nicer (unless you’re a Snow Bunting aficionado) – fairly warm (+6) and sunny. Many people asked me If I had seen any early migrants yet….. Just Red-winged Blackbirds I’m afraid (although Carol had a Common Grackle in her backyard in Caledonia). At this rate Killdeer should be here any time.
Banded 40:
2 Downy Woodpeckers
1 Tufted Titmouse
1 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Dark-eyed Juncos
3 House Finches
31 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 18 spp.
Photo Gallery:
McMaster student Aranya with her first banded bird – an American Goldfinch.
This chickadee is at least 2 and a half years old.
Anna proudly holds the first bird she helped band: an American Goldfinch. -S. Merritt
One of 3 Tufted Titmice encountered today – they have become a fixture of Ruthven’s avifauna over the years.
Anna (left) is a keener. Behind her and her sister (Priestley) is her science project on Bird Migration and Banding. -L. Oldfield
Here’s a close-up of Anna’s science project: “Bird Migration and Banding”. Not bad for a 5-year old, eh? -L. Oldfield
Tail feather detail of an ASY female goldfinch. Note the pronounced white patches and the very rounded central rectrices. -S. Merritt
Team work: Tessa, Marnie and Aranya. -S. Merritt
Male Downy Woodpecker. -S. Merritt
Marnie showing off a …….you guessed it: a Goldfinch. -S. Merritt
Sue Merritt’s Bird-in-the-hand Series:
The joy of a bird in the hand here is almost palpable. Aranya with her Goldfinch. -S. Merritt
Anna with her Goldfinch. -S. Merritt
Laura with her Goldfinch (good thing we got so many goldfinches!). -S. Merritt
And for a change…..a House Finch. (The joy is the same.) -S. Merritt
Getting it right. -S. Merritt
Learning to hold a Downy Woodpecker. -S. Merritt
Releasing a House Finch. -S. Merritt
Rick