Marnie caught this rainbow just before the rain. Instead of a pot of gold it delivered a downpour which raised the level of the pond (and adjoining wetlands) by 10 cm. _MMG
Early May has been a tough slog at the Farm….for two reasons: we got a downpour that dropped about 4 cm. of rain all over the area. This quickly ran into the low areas – the pond and adjacent wetlands – and the accumulation raised the water level by 10-12 cm effectively cutting off access to the river side nets and causing stakes holding nets to pull out in some cases. [I have subsequently replaced the stakes in wet patches with 20-inch pieces of rebar.] But the second, and main cause of the slow start, was that we were having serious trouble with our nets getting damaged. We had thought for awhile that this was due to deer running into them but it was happening consistently and in my experience deer don’t continue to bang into obstacles – they quickly learn to avoid or go around them. Also, the nets weren’t just being knocked down but the trammel lines were breaking. At least we thought they were breaking, but on closer examination it was clear that they were being cut. We’re pretty sure – well, 99% sure – that we know who is doing it – just don’t know what can be done about it. But it’s very aggravating and greatly reduced the net area that we were able to use (to say nothing of the cost of $150 US per net). Combine this with water level exclusions and you can see that we’ve been hampered. [This week we have worked hard to re-establish our net array and reinforce the staking system so they stay up – even when the levels rise.]
Fresh out of the egg – baby Painted Turtle. -MMG
Despite these setbacks, we’ve been able to get some quality banding in and monitor the development of the migration – the influx of “new” birds is always exciting! And already we’re seeing new life that Spring brings: the pond’s Canada Goose pair hatched their 3 eggs just 2 days ago and a baby Painted Turtle showed up at the banding hut yesterday!
Proud parents ushering their three goslings (the other two are in tight behind the left hand bird) away from the intruder (me). -DOL
This baby Painted Turtle walked right up to the banding hut. We’ll have to keep our eyes open!! -MMG
Here’s our results:
May 2; Banded 11:
2 House Wrens
1 American robin
1 American Goldfinch
2 Swamp Sparrows
1 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warblers have become common and enrich the area with their song. -DOL
2 Yellow Warblers
1 Northern Cardinal
ET’s: 35 spp.
May 3; Banded 20:
1 Tree Swallow
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
2 American Goldfinches
5 White-throated Sparrows
1 Song Sparrow
2 Swamp Sparrows
5 Red-winged Blackbirds
2 Yellow Warblers
ET’s: 34 spp.
May 4; Banded 5:
1 White-throated Sparrow
Male Black and White Warbler – note the black chin. _DOL
1 Black and White Warbler
3 Yellow Warblers
ET’s: 33 spp.
May 5; Banded 15:
1 Blue Jay
1 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Tree Swallows
1 European Starling
1 Song Sparrow
2 Swamp Sparrows
5 Red-winged Blackbirds
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
1 Common Yellowthroat
ET’s: 43 spp.
May 6; Banded 17:
1 Mourning Dove
1 House Wren
2 American Goldfinches
2 White-throated Sparrows
2 Swamp Sparrows
1 Song Sparrow
5 Red-winged Blackbirds
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
Female Black and White Warbler – note the white chin and buff on the face. -DOL
2 Black and White Warblers
ET’s: 34 spp.
THIS IS EXCITING!! Bill and Elizabeth Hurkmans and their daughter Elaine (Ethan’s Mom) have decided to take the 6 acres of farmland next to the banding area out of row crop production and grow prairie grass. It will be great to witness this change and its impact on the local ecology. -MMG