We banded a record number of American Tree Sparrows this Fall: 153 (the record had been 99). -E. Gosnell
You always like to go out on a high note. Friday, with its rain and wind, didn’t offer much opportunity to do so. We opened a few nets for 2 hours between showers but managed only 8 birds. And that night Nancy at Taquanyah and me at Ruthven, trying for owls, got skunked (as we had for the previous couple of owl outings).
Corry with her first Northern Saw-whet Owl. -E. Campanelli
Northern Saw-whet Owl -C. Pepper
Nancy putting the final touches on a band. -C. Pepper
But our last day proved to be a good one (considering the date). We had nets open for 4 hours before finishing the chore of closing and taking down. During that time we banded 38 birds including 19 more American Tree Sparrows bringing the Fall total to 153, 54 more than the previous high count for that species.
And luck seemed to be on our side: at night at Ruthven, Nancy caught 3 Saw-whet Owls – two new ones and a retrap of a bird we had banded a couple of days ago. The spectators that came specifically to see these cute little birds didn’t go away disappointed.
The Ruthven Baggers….and “Blue”…. at the end of a great season.
Baggers band/bird both day and night. -E. Campanelli
Taking the mascot, “Bagger Blue” for a walk. -C. Scholtens
This Fall it’s been really great to have the Ruthven Baggers on site. You can’t help but be inspired by their energy and they’ve been a great help doing net rounds, setting traps, closing nets or taking them down. At the end of the banding day we’ve fallen into the habit of having a touch football game. Today was the final, the Super Bowl if you will. It was a close match which ended in a tie – due in large part to great quarterbacking.
The game was preceded by a showcase skill contest: the running, flying leap off the picnic table football catch. The excitement was palpable. This year’s winner was Ethan….see below:
Ethan with the catch of the day. -C. Scholtens
Samuel showing off the “pincer” move for which he’s famous. -C. Scholtens.
Micah gets close….but no cigar. -C. Scholtens
Ben makes it look easy. -C. Scholtens
No catch….but great form by Giovanni….ya, that’s the ball 20 feet behind him. -C. Scholtens
November 6th; Banded 8:
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 American Tree Sparrow
2 Dark-eyed Juncos
4 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 29 spp.
Buff and black wings – a young male American Goldfinch. -C. Scholtens
The feistyist bird of all – Black-capped chickadee. -C. Scholtens
November 7th; Banded 40:
2 Northern Saw-whet Owls
5 Golden-crowned Kinglets
19 American Tree Sparrows
8 Dark-eyed Juncos
6 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 31 spp.
Some Summary Stats:
# Banded in September: 1033
# Banded in October: 2199
# Banded in November: 209
Fall Total: 3,441
Our total of 49.3 birds banded per 100 Net Hours is the 4th lowest in our 20 years of operation.
Top Ten Banded in the Fall of 2015:
1/ Yellow-rumped Warbler – 544
2/ White-throated Sparrow – 345
3/ American Goldfinch – 292
4/ Cedar Waxwing – 240
5/ Dark-eyed Junco – 228
6/ Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 185
7/ American Tree Sparrow – 153
8/ Red-eyed Vireo – 101
9/ Golden-crowned Kinglet – 94
10/ Swainson’s Thrush – 79
Elaine and Faye, just two of our wonderful volunteers.
THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT GAVE OF THEIR TIME AND SKILL (AND BAKED GOODS) TO HELP OUT THIS SEASON!
Rick
My name is Beth and I saw your post, I sent the photo to Tim and this was his answer.
May 4th post
Occasionally we see growths like these on the feet and legs of various species (in this case a Yellow Warbler). If anyone knows what causes them please let me know.
Tim Jasinski (Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist Lake Erie Nature & Science Center) Looks like Scaly Face Mites but I have only seen it in domestic birds.