Bird activity slowed way down today despite some moderate bird movements detected on the radar over the Carolinas last night. We only banded 13 new birds and had 4 recaptures of 8 different species. We had to close the nets down around 9:30 am because it just got too hot. This extreme heat we are experiencing right now should only last another day or two. "Cooler" temperatures are on the way - it may be in the mid-80's by Monday!
The most interesting capture of the day was the recaptured Prothonotary Warbler which was originally banded last fall on 08/19/13. Additionally, it was recaptured in the exact same net as it was captured in last year. It always amazes me when a bird can find its way back to the exact same 12m x 2.5m area on a small spit of land on the west end of Kiawah Island.
-Aaron
NEW BIRDS
1 Willow Flycatcher
3 Northern Waterthrush
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 American Redstart
1 Northern Cardinal
6 Painted Bunting
RECAPTURES
1 Prothonotary Warbler
1 Prairie Warbler
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Painted Bunting
BANDING STATS
# of New Birds: 13
# of Recaptures: 4
# of Species: 8
Effort: 68.0 net-hours
Capture Rate: 25.0 birds/100 net-hours
# of Nets: 20
BANDING STAFF
Aaron Given
Mattie VandenBoom
Libby Natola
Matt Zak
