Moon through the willows. -E. Campanelli
Although I’m certainly OK with opening the nets on my own, it’s always better when you have some help. So I was very pleasantly surprised this morning to find that Joanne and Ben had arrived first and were already embarked on opening when I pulled into the parking lot. It was another beautiful early morning with stars twinkling overhead and only a little ground fog that the sun quickly burned off.
It was interesting that we had the same mix of birds as we had for yesterday’s “feast” – only not so many. So it wasn’t a feast but it wasn’t exactly a famine either. 80 birds banded in mid-October should be considered as a “moderate repast”. Most noticeable was the drop in Cedar Waxwing numbers – we banded exactly 150 less than yesterday. I wonder where that massive horde got to – further south? Or just spread out over the local landscape – there’s wild grape clusters everywhere?
Ben giving a banding demonstration. -J. Fleet
We had some very curious visitors so the “relaxed pace” allowed us to not only clearly demonstrate what we were doing but also to have the opportunity to give some of the more interested a chance to experience banding for themselves. (We’ve found that this is the best way to ensure that keeners keep coming back…..)
Starting the learning process. -J. Fleet
Learning some of the fine points. – J. Fleet
Ryn with her first banded bird – a Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler. -J. Fleet
Banding – an interest for all ages. -J. Fleet
Banded 80:
1 Black-capped Chickadee
5 Golden-crowned Kinglets
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
6 Hermit Thrushes
2 American Robins
3 Cedar Waxwings
34 Myrtle Warblers
1 Western Palm Warbler
2 Song Sparrows
19 White-throated Sparrows
1 Dark-eyed Junco
4 American Goldfinches
ET’s: 38 spp.
More of Ezra Campanelli’s “moon shots”:
-E. Campanelli
-E. Campanelli
-E. Campanelli