Catbirds and COYE continue

 CAPTAIN SAMS

Another hot one at Captain Sam's. 30 newly banded and 11 recaptured birds. A Painted Bunting visited our nets today after 6 days of no-shows for this species. This bird was finishing up an eccentric preformative molt. Coming to Kiawah, it has been cool for me to observe the progression of the preformative molt in this species.

On the wing, the bird first replaces the lesser coverts. Then, the median coverts are replaced, then the greater coverts.

Progression of covert replacement in Painted Buntings (hatch year, sex unknown)

Around the time the greater coverts are replaced, the bird begins to molt the primary feathers eccentrically (i.e. it does not start from p1). The replacement of primary feathers continues outwards. Extent of molt varies: Some birds may replace more flight feathers than others.

One or two outer primary coverts may be replaced, but most of them will be brown and retained. Inner secondaries may be replaced in this molt as well.

Progression of flight feather replacement in the preformative molt of Painted Buntings (hatch year, sex unknown). Retained juvenile feathers highlighted in red, replaced formative feathers highlighted in green.

— Jasmine

LITTLE BEAR

The mosquitos are out in full force at Little Bear, but Aaron and I persevered and managed to capture 63 birds, 41 new and 22 recaptures of 13 species. This is a pretty high recapture rate for a single day at LB. Of our recaps, about 70% were Gray Catbirds and Common Yellowthroats, nearly all of which were banded within the last few days. Interestingly, we recaptured 4 Northern Waterthrush, all of which were banded in the last week and we banded 2 new ones today. This is a species that we banded many of earlier in the season, so it was nice to see some more waterthrush coming through the station. We also had a few wintering birds trickling in, including a few Yellow-rumped Warblers (Myrtle) and a Swamp Sparrow. Birds will probably be slowing down the next couple days until our next cold front, which should arrive this weekend. I think we're all ready for some fall weather and hopefully more birds.

-Olivia

Species	Captain Sam's		Little Bear
	New	Recaps	New	Recaps
Downy Woodpecker	-	-	1	-
White-eyed Vireo	-	1	-	-
Red-eyed Vireo	1	1	-	-
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	1	-	-	-
Carolina Wren	-	1	-	-
Gray Catbird	14	5	15	8
Brown Thrasher	-	-	-	1
Swainson's Thrush	1	-	-	-
Swamp Sparrow	-	-	1	-
Northern Waterthrush	-	-	2	4
Black-and-white Warbler	-	-	2	1
Common Yellowthroat	11	1	11	7
American Redstart	-	-	1	1
Cape May Warbler	-	-	1	-
Northern Yellow Warbler	-	-	2	-
Blackpoll Warbler	-	-	1	-
Black-throated Blue Warbler	-	1	-	-
Western Palm Warbler	-	-	1	-
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)	-	-	3	-
Prairie Warbler	1	-	-	-
Painted Bunting	-	1	-	-

Today's Banding Stats	Captain Sams	Little Bear	TOTAL
# Birds Banded	30	41	71
# of Recaptures	11	22	33
# of Species	11	13	21
Effort (net-hours)	137.5	122.25	259.75
Capture Rate (birds/100 net-hours)	29.8	51.53	40.67
# of Nets	33	29	62

2026 Fall Cumulative Banding Stats	Captain Sams	Little Bear	TOTAL
# Birds Banded	3688	2121	5809
# of Recaptures	506	254	760
# of Species	77	66	89
Effort (net-hours)	8843.3	5912.75	14756.05
Capture Rate (birds/100 net-hours)	47.4	40.2	43.8
# of Days	59	52

Banding Staff

Aaron Given (LB)

Michael Gamble (CS)

Olivia DeMarchi (LB)

Jasmine Fu (CS)

Note:  All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab.