Hard to believe it’s the first day of fall! With so many consecutively warm, humid days, the birds are catching on – “what’s the rush?”
To this end, fall migration is slowing down to a crawl, or so it would seem by our low numbers.
Moreover, with few birds to contend with, one has had a chance to notice other things crawling: lots of Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillars and a few Woolly Bear caterpillars.
There were several Painted Lady butterflies around today. Apparently, they are a highly migratory species with very cyclic population levels. Indeed, this must be a good year for them.
Well, the fall equinox is here and the first few White-throated Sparrows are trickling in as expected.
Total Banded: 18
House Wren 2
Swainson’s Thrush 2
Gray Catbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 1
Long-distance flier: Blackpoll Warbler (note the yellow feet). -AMI
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Ovenbird 1
Male Common Yellowthroat. -AMI
Common Yellowthroat 2
Song Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 1
Recaptured: 9
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1
Gray Catbird 1
Magnolia Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 4
ETs: 36 spp.
Some photos from yesterday:
Wilson’s Warbler. -MMG
Despite the bill malformation, this Gray-cheeked Thrush was in good shape. -MMG
Gray-cheeked Thrush with a crossed bill. -MMG
Mike
Fern Hill Oakville:
Early morning YO’s.
As at Ruthven, the hot weather has reduced bird numbers to a trickle. We were able to tap into a flock of American Robins that had roosted in an oak close to the nets but other than that it was slow going. We did see some interesting birds though while doing a census, including the first White-throated Sparrows of the Fall season.
Ms. Bryan (with the support of her class) releases her first bird.
Banded 11:
8 American Robins
3 Song Sparrows
ET’s: 31 spp.
Rick