The last two days have not been “spectacular” but they have turned out good, steady numbers of migrants: we banded 108 yesterday and 96 today (if you count the 5 Northern Saw-whet Owls that Nancy caught last night.) Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, Myrtle Warblers, and a variety of sparrows continue to flow through. [Check the banding numbers below.]

It has been interesting to watch the early morning skies as both mornings, there has been a noticeable movement of Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins. They may be single birds or in small loose flocks but usually flying high and generally emitting “call notes”. It’s interesting to conjecture that this must be the way that their close cousins the Catharus thrushes migrate = high overhead in loose flocks with individuals calling to each other to maintain contact but in the dark of night. What a wonderful feeling to be out on a starry night and hear these call notes high overhead and picture these tough little birds winging their way south.

October 16th: Banded 108:
1 Blue Jay
9 Black-capped Chickadees
1 Brown Creeper
5 Golden-crowned Kinglets
10 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
10 Hermit Thrushes
2 Orange-crowned Warblers
11 Myrtle Warblers
2 Northern Cardinals
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Field Sparrow
1 Fox Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
2 Swamp Sparrows
11 White-throated Sparrows
2 Eastern White-crowned Sparrows
8 Dark-eyed Juncos
2 Purple Finches
1 House Finch
1 Pine Siskin
26 American Goldfinches

ET’s: 57 spp.

October 17th; Banded 96:
[5 Northern Saw-whet Owls]
1 Eastern Phoebe
2 Eastern Tufted Titmice
3 Black-capped Chickadees
5 Golden-crowned Kinglets
10 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
6 Hermit Thrushes
1 Gray Catbird
17 Myrtle Warblers
1 Northern Cardinal
2 Chipping Sparrows
3 Field Sparrows
2 Song Sparrows
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
3 Swamp Sparrows
2 White-throated Sparrows
1 Eastern White-crowned Sparrow
2 Dark-eyed Juncos
6 Purple Finches
1 House Finch
1 Pine Siskin
21 American Goldfinches

ET’s: 48 spp.
Fall Banding Total: 3,842
Year-to-Date Banding Total: 6,427

Rick