Late Yellow-breasted Chat

With the approaching cold front, bird activity picked up a little bit today with 32 new birds and 11 recaptures of 8 different species.  The biggest surprise of the morning was a Yellow-breasted Chat!  A majority of the chats move through KIBS in August/early September but occasionally there will be a late one.  In fact, there are a few that overwinter along the South Carolina coast every year.  Last year, I banded one on December 20th.  Today's bird had a moderate amount of fat so I bet this one will not be sticking around.    



Yellow-breasted Chat (HY, male)

Snakes are not commonly seen around KIBS but today I saw two beautiful corn snakes.  The first, a 4 footer, was on the ground sunning itself in the trail between net 16 and 20.  It was very cooperative and allowed me to pick it up for a quick photo.  I walked right by the 2nd corn snake as I was checking net 3.  As I was returning from the far end of the net, I noticed it about head high in the wax myrtle about midway down the net.    



Corn Snake #1

Corn Snake #2

 
The weather over the next several days is not looking good for banding.  Wind is going to be an issue again on Sunday and Monday with predicted winds from 20-25 mph.  Rain is in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday.    

- Aaron 


NEW BIRDS
1 Gray Catbird
30 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
1 Yellow-breasted Chat

RECAPTURES
1 Carolina Chickadee
1 House Wren
2 Gray Catbird

2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
2 Northern Cardinal
1 Eastern Towhee
2 White-throated Sparrow

BANDING STATS
# of Birds Banded:  32
# of Recaptures:  11
# of Species:  8
Effort:  116.5 net-hours
Capture Rate:  36.9 birds/100 net-hours
# of Nets:  20