We banded 164 news birds and had 14 recaptures of 26 different species. Mid-October is a really fun time of the year for banding. Although many of the "early" migrating species are gone, we still have lots of warblers, vireos, thrushes, and buntings plus we are starting to see the "late" migrating warblers and sparrows. Mid-October is one of the most productive and diverse periods during the entire fall migration season.
Gray Catbirds were out in force today with 84 of the banded. Common Yellowthroats are still hanging around in good numbers with 50 banded. We banded our first Orange-crowned Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) of the fall season! In addition, we banded a Marsh Wren, which is also the first of the season, and will most likely be the only one banded this fall. Some other highlights included: Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1), Black-and-White Warbler (4), Eastern Phoebe (2), Swamp Sparrow (1).
Marsh Wren (hatch-year, sex unknown) |
Orange-crowned Warbler (hatch-year, female) |
We banded a Common Yellowthroat with some interesting white feathers. On the right wing, this bird had a solid white primary covert and on the left wing it had a white primary feather.
Common Yellowthroat (white primary feather)
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Common Yellowthroat (white primary covet) |