Rattlesnake!

 Captain Sams: 

We didn't get much action at Captain Sam's today with only 3 new birds banded and 8 recaptures. However, we still had 7 species represented in those 11 individuals. One of the highlights from today was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird we caught even though we didn't band it. These are always so special to see in the hand, it almost feels unreal. We were able to age and sex this bird and determined it was a hatching year female. To age this bird, we looked at the 6th primary feather, which was very broad and not notched, indicating that it was a hatch year bird. We also examined the bill corrugations, which are like little grooves along the side of the bill. This individual did have some, but they didn't extend far down the bill, so she is probably an older hatch year. To sex the bird, we looked at the tail, which had rounded feathers and an overall fan shape. 

-Katie 

Little Bear: 

Today was another very slow day for the whole morning with the exception of the very last net round. I had just started to close nets when Kristin came across the radio saying she had just narrowly avoided stepping on a rattlesnake by net 9. I immediately rushed over to get a look at it. When I turned the corner of net 9 there see a massive Timber Rattlesnake making its way across the trail. I've seen many rattlesnakes of many species while doing fieldwork and birding out west, and have seen many Timber Rattlesnakes while growing up in Pennsylvania. However, this was still easily the largest rattlesnake I've ever seen! It hauled its girth across the trail-- rattling angrily all the while-- before curling up underneath a palmetto. 

Rattlesnakes are always amazing to see and this was a particularly gorgeous individual! While these reptiles have a reputation for ferocity, it is largely unearned. They will do everything in their ability to avoid striking (even in this case where they're almost stepped on!) and if you leave them alone, they will be more than happy to leave you alone. As with many dangerous animals, it's all a matter of respect. 

A stunning Timber Rattlesnake

Excellent camouflage!

-Aidan

Species	Captain Sams		Little Bear
	New	Recaps	New	Recaps
White-eyed Vireo	-	1	-	1
Red-eyed Vireo	-	1	-	-
Yellow-breasted Chat	-	-	1	-
Ovenbird	-	1	1	-
Northern Waterthrush	1	1	1	2
Common Yellowthroat	-	-	1	-
Prairie Warbler	1	2	1	-
Northern Cardinal	-	1	-	-
Painted Bunting	1	1	1	2

Today's Banding Stats	Captain Sams	Little Bear	TOTAL
# Birds Banded	3	6	9
# of Recaptures	8	5	13
# of Species	7	7	8
Effort (net-hours)	141	82.8	223.8
Capture Rate (birds/100 net-hours)	7.8	13.3	9.83
# of Nets	30	23	-

2022 Fall Cumulative Banding Stats	Captain Sams	Little Bear	TOTAL
# Birds Banded	372	261	633
# of Recaptures	138	78	210
# of Species	35	27	40
Effort (net-hours)	2848.17	1,193.15	3,894.3
Capture Rate (birds/100 net-hours)	17.9	28.4	21.6
# of Days	20	13	33

Banding Staff

Kristin Attinger (LB)

Nate Watkins (CS)

Katie Serba (CS)
Brendan Wang (CS) 

Aidan Place (LB)

Maia Nguyen (CS)