We enjoyed hosting an ornithology class from Clemson University this morning. Despite the chill and wind, we caught a good number of species to show them and teach them how we age and process birds. I think a favorite for all was the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. It was also exciting for everyone when we caught our first-of-season Clay-colored Sparrow - a lifer for both Kristin and me! We ended the day with a total of 16 newly banded birds and 16 recaps of 12 species. Between slow net runs, the class took time to bird around the site and add to their species list, including Bald Eagle, Seaside Sparrow, and a large group of White Ibis in both adult and juvenile plumage.
Clay-colored Sparrow (hatch year, unknown sex)
Aaron teaching the Clemson group about molt limits
-Meredith
LITTLE BEAR
Overall, we continue to wait for the next push of migrants.We are hoping the storms moving off the northeastern U.S. coast will allow for late season migrants to head our way. Today's totals included 22 new birds and 10 recaps of 10 species. We did have our biggest day for Yellow-billed Cuckoos (Coccyzus americanus) with 4 new and 2 recaps. It is amazing how loud the cuckoo can call in your hand. Sometimes, it is almost deafening. These birds have a lot of attitude, and I never get tired of seeing one in the hand (or field)! We keep secretly hoping for a Black-billed Cuckoo, which is a much less common species for South Carolina.
-Joel
| Species | Captain Sam's | Little Bear | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Recaps | New | Recaps | |
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
2
|
Eastern Phoebe
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
Gray Catbird
| 3 |
9
|
6
|
7
|
Brown Thrasher
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
Eastern Towhee
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
Clay-colored Sparrow
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Swamp Sparrow
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
Tennessee Warbler
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Orange-crowned Warbler
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
Common Yellowthroat
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
American Redstart
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Black-throated Blue Warbler
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
Palm Warbler (Western)
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle's)
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
Prairie Warbler
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Northern Cardinal
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
Indigo Bunting
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
| Today's Banding Stats | Captain Sam's | Little Bear | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| # Birds Banded |
16
|
22
|
38
|
| # of Recaptures |
16
|
10
|
26
|
| # of Species |
12
|
10
|
17
|
| Effort (net-hours) |
137.3
|
91.5
|
228.8
|
| Capture Rate (birds/100 net-hours) |
23.3
|
35
|
28
|
| # of Nets |
26
|
20
|
46
|
| 2018 Fall Cumulative Banding Stats | Captain Sam's | Little Bear | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| # Birds Banded |
3,008
|
2,305
|
5,313
|
| # of Recaptures |
795
|
349
|
1,144
|
| # of Species |
69
|
69
|
82
|
| Effort (net-hours) |
7,621.4
|
3,308.9
|
10,930.3
|
| Capture Rate (birds/100 net-hours) |
49.9
|
80.2
|
59.1
|
| # of Days | 66 | 54 | - |
Banding Staff
Aaron Given (CS)
Michael Gamble (LB)
Meredith Heather (CS)
Kristin Attinger (CS)
Joel Throckmorton (LB)
Aaron Given (CS)
Michael Gamble (LB)
Meredith Heather (CS)
Kristin Attinger (CS)
Joel Throckmorton (LB)
