What a nice start to the season – sunshine and warmish temperatures. And some interesting birds around. I banded 2 White-throated Sparrows (and Brian did one yesterday). Are these birds on the move or birds that wintered over? Hard to say as I banded one in early January….but you just don’t know. Is there a nicer sound than the soft bugling of Tundra Swans? (Well, maybe a Loon or warbler or…..anyway, 11 flew over.)

We had a number of first sightings for the year: Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Hooded Mergansers but for me the best was the first Tree Swallow – bravely (or foolishly) flying low over the water looking for emerging insects. Eastern Tufted Titmice continue to hang around the banding area, taking advantage of the feeders. For the day I encountered 38 species – a good total for this time of year.

Banded 12:

1 Americn Tree Sparrow

1 Song Sparrow

2 White-throated Sparrows

1 Dark-eyed Junco

2 Pine Siskins

5 American Goldfinches

 

Retrapped 5:

2 Downy Woodpeckers

2 Black-capped Chickadees

1 Song Sparrow

 

ET’s:   38 species

Rick

March 20th, Banded 17:

2 Black-capped Chickadees

1 Eastern Titmouse

2 American Tree Sparrows

1 Song Sparrow

1 White-throated Sparrow

2 Dark-eyed Junco

7 American Goldfinches

 

Retrapped 5:

1 Eastern Tufted Titmouse

2 American Tree Sparrows

2 Dark-eyed Juncos

 

ET’s:    30 species

Brian