FOS: Sharpie and White-throated Sparrow

Today we banded 45 new birds and had 21 recaptures of 18 different species.  The temperature was a balmy 53 degrees F, up about 6 degrees from yesterday.  Last night's radar images did not show too much migration activity to our north with exception to some moderate to heavy activity along the coast of North Carolina.  Maybe some of those birds made it to KIBS as we had a decent number of migrants including two first-of-the-seasons:  Sharp-shinned Hawk and White-throated Sparrow.  

The Sharp-shinned Hawk was a handsome adult male.  Males are noticeably smaller than females and a wing chord measurement can usually separate the sexes.  Both adult males and females have slate gray back and wings with orangish breast that extends up to the through the throat and cheeks while juveniles are brownish overall.  Additionally, the eye of an adult is an intense red color compared to the paler yellow eye of a juvenile.  

-Aaron

Sharp-shinned Hawk (AHY, male)

Sharp-shinned Hawk (AHY, male)

Sharp-shinned Hawk (AHY, male)

       

NEW BIRDS
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Blue Jay
7 House Wren
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Hermit Thrush
6 Gray Catbird
10 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
1 Palm Warbler (Western)
1 Prairie Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroat
1 Blue Grosbeak
3 Painted Bunting
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Eastern Towhee
3 Swamp Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow

RECAPTURES
2 Common Ground-Dove
1 House Wren
1 Hermit Thrush
12 Gray Catbird
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
3 Common Yellowthroat
1 Swamp Sparrow

BANDING STATS
# of Birds Banded:  45
# of Recaptures:  21
# of Species:  18
Effort:  99.5 net-hours
Capture Rate:  66.3 birds/100 net-hours
# of Nets:  20