Captain Sam's:
We started our morning out at Captain Sam's with one of the foggiest mornings I've seen out in the marsh over my two years here. It made the morning sort of earie giving hope for an interesting catch despite the wind direction and radar. Most of the nets were soggy due to condensation so that certainly could've played a roll in our lack of birds today. We heard lots around the station but didn't catch as many as we were expecting with all of those chips! Today with the fog created a decent opportunity to try herding some ibis into a net. We however were quite unsuccessful, the White Ibis must have caught on to our little plot because the entire flock of 65 ibis took up to the sky during our approach from afar. They then went and landed in the pines just above the banding table almost as if to taunt us. We're still hoping that we can get one but we shall see, after a week or so of not trying they may calm back down to our presence.
Herding marsh cattle
Arboreal ibises
Bounty's flown the coop
- Nate
Little Bear:
Today was an extraordinary day! Even though we only captured a total of 24 birds we manage to make it a great species diversity. We added a first for KIBS Wilson's Snipe! We have talked about them in previous post about how they were close to our nets and we might catch them but that was weeks ago and I never would have thought today was the day for them. When setting up the nets I didn't hear much, not even the typical cardinal that would be scared by a few of the nets. When I started the first round of checking nets, I was only thinking it would be catbirds and some various sparrows or warblers for today. I walked up to the first net and was so shocked. I might have shed a little tear of excitement! The last time I saw a Wilson's Snip close up was in college. I wasn't into much birds yet and it was my first time going to a banding station. This was a surprise bird that was just so cool to see and now 6 years later I get to experience it all over again. Seeing how unique their feather patterns are and just how cute that long bill is. Check out this bird below! See how long that bill is!
I'm glad to experience this cute bird finally and to admire the beautiful camouflaged feather pattern that they have!
We also keep catching a Swainson's Warbler. Its the same recapture that has ben hanging around for about 3 weeks. I think it might be enjoying South Carolina at this point. It does look like it is gaining weight which is perfect for bulking up for migration.
-Kristin
| Species | Captain Sams | Little Bear | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Recaps | New | Recaps | |
Wilson's Snipe | - | - | 1 | - |
Ruby-crowned Kinglet | 1 | - | 2 | - |
Northern Mockingbird | 1 | - | - | - |
Gray Catbird | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
House Finch | 2 | - | - | - |
Song Sparrow | - | - | 1 | |
Swamp Sparrow | 1 | - | 1 | 1 |
Swainson's Warbler | - | - | - | 1 |
Yellow-breasted Chat | - | - | - | 1 |
Common Yellowthroat | 3 | - | 1 | - |
American Redstart | - | 1 | - | - |
Northern Parula | - | - | 1 | - |
Yellow-rumped Warbler (myrtle subspecies) | 12 | - | 3 | 1 |
| Today's Banding Stats | Captain Sams | Little Bear | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| # Birds Banded | 23 | 14 | 37 |
| # of Recaptures | 6 | 10 | 16 |
| # of Species | 8 | 10 | 13 |
| Effort (net-hours) | 132 | 103.5 | 235.5 |
| Capture Rate (birds/100 net-hours) | 22.0 | 23.2 | 22.5 |
| # of Nets | 30 | 23 | - |
| 2022 Fall Cumulative Banding Stats | Captain Sams | Little Bear | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| # Birds Banded | 4,245 | 2,657 | 6,902 |
| # of Recaptures | 1,045 | 592 | 1,637 |
| # of Species | 78 | 77 | 93 |
| Effort (net-hours) | 10,140.4 | 5,180.5 | 15,320.9 |
| Capture Rate (birds/100 net-hours) | 52.2 | 62.7 | 55.7 |
| # of Days | 67 | 58 | - |
Banding Staff
Brendan Wang
