200th Species for Naked Birding List

On June 21, 2009, Nancy and I went up to the Deckerville area in Sanilac County, Michigan where we were to begin our USFWS Breeding Bird Survey route (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/) a little after 5 a.m. We've done this route every year since 1992, and other routes off-and-on since 1978. In the dark, I heard a Sedge Wren singing, and thus added it as the 200th species on my 2009 Naked Birding list for Michigan:

Click to hear my Sedge Wren recording

Naked Birding? Perhaps a little explanation is in order here!

Late last fall, a birder posted to the Ohio-Birds chat group that he was going to do a "naked birding" list in Ohio in 2009. His description of the list intrigued me, and I decided to do one of my own for Michigan in 2009. Despite what it sounds like, it is not going out au-natural looking for birds. It is intended to test your birding skills using only your naked eyes and naked ears, no optical or audio assistance (i.e., no binoculars, scopes, cameras, or listening devices).

As a long-time "ear-birder" I was up for the challenge!

From January through March, many birds were added based on visual observation at close range, or based on long-distance visual characters I've learned over the years. But beginning with spring migration, as expected, the bulk of my new Naked List birds were heard only, as singing birds flooded into the state. It was frustrating to not be able to add such rarities as White-faced Ibis, present and found in both Wayne and Washtenaw counties, because they were simply too distant to identify with the naked eye. That was my rule, that I must be able to IDENTIFY it with my naked eye, not just SEE it. Seeing a distant White-faced Ibis, identifying it through binoculars or a scope, then "counting" it after that ID was made was not allowed. That would be cheating.

In late April, a flock of Smith's Longspurs was being seen in Berrien County in the southwestern corner of the state. Being familar with the species already, though not having it on my Michigan list, I went over and found a field full of singing and calling Smith's Longspurs (and only one Lapland!). This identification was based on the songs and calls, with which I am familiar, but just to seal the deal a beautiful breeding-plumaged adult male landed on a patch of corn stubble just 30-feet away, making a visual ID easy too.

During the month of May, many new species were added based mainly on vocalizations, many quite beautiful as many birders already know.

Click to hear my Hooded Warbler recording

Click to hear my Mourning Warbler recording

Click to hear my American Redstart recording

Click to hear my Black-and-white Warbler recording

Click to hear my Cerulean Warbler recording

Click to hear my Canada Warbler recording

Click to hear my Chestnut-sided Warbler recording

Click to hear my Magnolia Warbler recording

Click to hear my Wood Thrush recording

Click to hear my Yellow-throated Vireo recording

Click to hear my Bobolink recording

Click to hear my Scarlet Tanager recording

On June 4th, I was finally able to head back to Berrien County where the state's first ever Fish Crow had been seen since late May, but mostly "it" was being heard. I arrived in the area well before sunrise so that I could try to find the Chuck-will's-widow that was present nearby for the 4th or 5th year in a row. It was fairly easy to find this bird, and I managed a decent, if not quiet recording, a short portion of which can be heard below:

Click to hear my Chuck-will's-widow recording

At the Forest Lawn Landfill, Three Oaks Township, I managed to see and hear at least one Fish Crow calling and flying overhead in my first hour on site. During the second hour, things got more interesting as it was obvious multiple Fish Crows were present, and my recordings help prove this.

Click to hear my Fish Crow recording

On June 7, species 199 for the list was another Wren, this one a first for my state list as well (and only the 9th for the state overall), a Rock Wren found while I was leading a Washtenaw Audubon Society field trip to the Port Huron State Game Area! Although it wasn't close enough to identify when initially found, it not only approached to within 10-feet, but even sang a few times!

The next challenge for my Naked Birding list will be shorebirds. I haven't done much yet this year as far as this challenging group, and I'll need to brush up on shorebird vocalizations if I hope to add more than just a couple to the list. Stay tuned.

Metro Beach Spring 2009 Banding Summary

The spring 2009 banding season has come to a close, and I have tallied up the general results, which I'll present here. More details will be available in the coming weeks as I compile the full report, which will be posted at www.amazilia.net/MetroBeachBanding/

A total of 773 new birds of 60 species was banded. There were 117 individuals of 18 species that returned from previous years, including at least two that were banded in 2004. An American Goldfinch banded on 28 September 2008 as a hatch-year female was recaptured on 6 June 2009 at a banding station on Walpole Island, Ontario, Canada. Banding was conducted on 16 days between April 5 and June 6, with a total of 1241.13 net hours, and an overall capture rate of 84.4 birds per 100 net hours.

Banding Totals:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 6
Downy Woodpecker - 5 (plus 5 returns)
Hairy Woodpecker - 2 (plus 1 return)
Northern Flicker - 4
Alder Flycatcher - 6
Willow Flycatcher - 3
"Traill's" Flycatcher - 3
Least Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 5
Eastern Kingbird - 1
White-eyed Vireo - 3
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Warbling Vireo - 3 (plus 1 return)
Blue Jay - 8
Tree Swallow - 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1
Black-capped Chickadee - 1 (plus 11 returns)
Brown Creeper - 11
[Carolina Wren - 1 return]
House Wren - 7 (plus 1 return)
Winter Wren - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 11
Veery - 9
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 2
Swainson's Thrush - 12
Hermit Thrush - 28
Wood Thrush - 2
American Robin - 31 (plus 4 returns)
Gray Catbird - 20 (plus 1 return)
Brown Thrasher - 1
Nashville Warbler - 7
Yellow Warbler - 59 (plus 20 returns)
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 8
Black-throated Green Warbler - 2
Palm Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 4
Ovenbird - 8
Northern Waterthrush - 8
Mourning Warbler - 3
Common Yellowthroat - 13 (plus 6 returns)
Wilson's Warbler - 13
Canada Warbler - 2
Northern Cardinal - 5 (plus 3 returns)
Eastern Towhee - 1
American Tree Sparrow - 7
Savannah Sparrow - 1
Fox Sparrow - 5
Song Sparrow - 26 (plus 17 returns)
Lincoln's Sparrow - 6
Swamp Sparrow - 63 (plus 1 return)
White-throated Sparrow - 51
White-crowned Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 166 (plus 17 returns)
Common Grackle - 24 (plus 1 return)
Brown-headed Cowbird - 8 (plus 4 returns)
Baltimore Oriole - 14 (plus 4 returns)
American Goldfinch - 55 (plus 19 returns)
House Sparrow - 2

Metro Beach banding report - June 5 & 6, 2009

The final week of spring banding in the first week of June always brings anticipation of some last, late migrants, as well as the possibility of capturing some of the first fledged young birds of the year. Both expectations were met on these last two days, and the unusually dry conditions resulting in almost no standing water made getting around much easier for a change. Midges, which usually hatch during the peak of warbler migration, finally hatched this week with clouds of them in the banding area but with few migrants to take advantage. Record numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds (166), Yellow Warblers (60), and Baltimore Orioles (14) were banded this spring, and independent fledgling American Robins and Common Grackle were captured this week. Details of the few (very few) late migrants banded and observed this week also follows in the detail below.

Banding highlights from Friday, June 5 included an impressive 24 Red-winged Blackbirds, many of them females. It gave us an opportunity to examine one character to age them (second-year vs. after second-year) which can often be seen in the field. Second-year (SY) female Red-winged Blackbirds typically have entirely or mostly white throats as in the top photo below, while after second-year (ASY) females are often washed with peach-yellow on the throat as in the bottom photo below. The amount of reddish in the shoulders of females varies quite a bit, and is not a particularly good indicator of age, though I do see more of it on ASY birds.

Red-winged Blackbird, second-year female

Red-winged Blackbird, after second-year female.

And always a highlight, two Baltimore Orioles, a male and female were banded today bringing the season total up to a record of 13 (one more was banded on June 6).

Baltimore Oriole, after second-year male.

The lone tardy spring migrant captured today was of a quite unexpected species, a Hermit Thrush. Before today, the last one banded was on May 10, which is about normal for the last one of these. Their migration typically peaks in this area the last week of April and the first week of May. This bird appeared to be in good health, and had some fat deposits, which would be expected on a migrant.

Hermit Thrush, after hatch-year

Additional banding highlights included a Hairy Woodpecker. Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Green Heron in trees over the Field Edge net, a calling Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, persistently singing Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos. A quick examination of the nest box near the Field Nets revealed four recently hatched young and an unhatched egg.

Banding highlights from Saturday, June 6 included another late thrush, this one a Swainson's, though this species has been banded here in early June in other years so is more expected.

Swainson's Thrush, after hatch-year

Additional banding highlights included a recently fledged Common Grackle, which was interesting in that it was still showing subtle signs of the fleshy gape corners typical of nestlings, as well as a dull yellow eye and almost no iridescence, different from what is expected in adults.

Common Grackle, hatch-year

Other banding highlights included two female Northern Flickers, including one that had clearly taken a dust bath just before getting caught in the nets. Blowing on the breast feathers to check her for a brood patch produced a big cloud of dust! Perhaps in a moment of silliness due to it being the last banding day of the spring, I nicknamed her "dusty". Five Empidonax flycatchers of the difficult "Traill's" species pair were banded today, and surpisingly all of them keyed out; 3 were Alder and 2 were Willow. It seems that the migration of these species may continue into early June most years. Also, an Empidonax flycatcher that was banded last week was recaptured today for the second time since it was banded. It has been singing fitz-bew out by the field nets and has been observed wearing a band, so he has now informally earned the nickname of Willie the Willow Flycatcher! Of course, I had to take a photo...

Willow Flycatcher, after hatch-year male

One of the last birds captured today was a female Carolina Wren, originally banded as an after hatch-year of unknown sex on 22 May 2006, recaptured again in fall 2006, again in spring and fall 2007 when she was first determined to be female based on the presence of a brood patch as she had today, and recaptured once more in fall of 2008. She was the only Carolina Wren captured this spring as the activity of this species in the park, based on singing birds, appears to be concentrated away from the banding area at the southwest corner of Point Rosa Marsh and the southern end of Cherry Lane just outside the park.

Carolina Wren, after 4th year female

Tessa Lau, our youngest volunteer, releases the female Carolina Wren as regular volunteer Joan Tisdale looks on.

Encouraging the young and educating the public are important objectives, additional to our research, which provides park staff and land managers with information about the natural treasures that use this park. Hopefully I, and the very helpful volunteers this spring, have accomplished some of that.

Interesting birds observed but not banded today included flyover Cedar Waxwings and a single Wilson's Warbler which was quite late.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these two days possible: John Bieganowski, David Furi, Dave Lancaster, Harry Lau, Rose Lau, Tessa Lau, and Joan Tisdale.

==========================================================

Banding Data: ==========================================================

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 4:56 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:30

Hours Open: 7.75

No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25

Net Hours: 96.313

Temperature (F): 43-73

Sky: 0% cloud cover

Wind: NW-SW @ 0-3-7 mph

Barometer: 30.03 - 29.98

Precipitation: None

No. Banded: 46 (plus 25 recaptured and 6 released unbanded)

No. of Species: 15

Capture Rate: 79.9 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: John Bieganowski, Dave Lancaster

[Downy Woodpecker - 2 recaptured]

Hairy Woodpecker - 1

Alder Flycatcher - 1

[Black-capped Chickadee - 2 recaptured]

[House Wren - 1 recaptured]

HERMIT THRUSH - 1

American Robin - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)

Gray Catbird - 1 (plus 3 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Yellow Warbler - 3 (plus 7 recaptured)

Common Yellowthroat - 2

[Song Sparrow - 3 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 24 (plus 5 recaptured and 3 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 6 (plus 2 released unbanded)

[Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 recaptured]

Baltimore Oriole - 2

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 4:56 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15
Hours Open: 7.50
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 96.188
Temperature (F): 52-64
Sky: 10-0% cloud cover
Wind: NE-E @ 5-7-10 mph
Barometer: 30.03 - 30.09
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 39 (plus 12 recaptured)
No. of Species: 13
Capture Rate: 53.0 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: David Furi, Harry Lau, Rose Lau, Tessa Lau, Joan Tisdale

Northern Flicker - 2

Alder Flycatcher 3

Willow Flycatcher - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)

[Carolina Wren - 1 recaptured]

House Wren - 1

Swainson's Thrush - 1

American Robin - 8 (plus 1 recaptured)

Gray Catbird - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Yellow Warbler - 6

Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)

Red-winged Blackbird - 9 (plus 5 recaptured)

Common Grackle - 3

Brown-headed Cowbird - 1

Baltimore Oriole - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Metro Beach banding report - May 29, 2009

Although there is likely another week of migration activity, the spring songbird migration is coming to an end. This was represented nicely by the females captured today. As many birders know, the males migrate north first to establish and claim the best territories, and the females often follow later. The unusually large number of birds released unbanded today was due to the escapes of blackbirds and grackles from the nets just as we arrived to extract them. There will be one more banding report, hopefully covering two more banding days in the first week of June where we may capture a few more late warblers, and possibly more Empidonax flycatchers.

Banding highlights for Friday, May 29 included several Wilson's Warblers, including three females.

Second-year female Wilson's Warbler

Only the second Canada Warbler of the spring was captured, this one also a female.

After hatch-year female Canada Warbler

And an American Redstart was captured also, but this one was a male despite being in gray, white, and yellow plumage. Some birders don't realize that this species takes two years to attain the black and orange 'adult' male plumage, and so pass off a lot of second-year (first year in field guide terminology) males. This individual would be easily sexed as male in the field by noting the black blotches on the crown and especially in front of the eye, which females do not show. And of course these second-year males sing, which females do not do.

Second-year male American Redstart

A male Mourning Warbler and a female Magnolia Warbler rounded out the migrant warblers captured today. It was another good day for Red-winged Blackbirds (the season total is now 133, well ahead of last year's record of 92). And three Common Grackles were captured on the last net run, including this nicely iridescent male, which took a good hunk of flesh out of one of my fingers during the brief photo session!

After second-year male Common Grackle

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a rather late Black-and-white Warbler that was unusual for another reason. It appeared to be a melanistic individual, as it was completely normal in plumage on the back, wings, and tail, but the head and breast were unusual. The crown was solid black, with no white median crown stripe, and the cheeks, throat, and breast were medium gray with no sign of streaks or the normal face pattern. Only poor photos were obtained of this odd bird, and the best of them is posted below.

Melanistic Black-and-white Warbler

Since posting this blog on May 31, I received an e-mail from Ben Coulter who forwarded me a photo of a similar Black-and-white Warbler that he photographed at Presque Isle State Park, PA, in 2003. His bird is blacker on the entire head, and shows distinct streaking on the flanks, unlike this bird.

Also of interest was a "V" of about 35 Canada Geese heading north, rather late but most likely undergoing "molt migration", as well as singing Yellow-bellied and Alder Flycatchers in the swamp and marsh. At least two Tennessee Warblers were singing in the area today too, but avoided capture (the 1990-1999 capture rate was ten times my current capture rate for this species!).

A non-avian oddity caught our attention yesterday, as sometimes happens (see the Big Brown Bat photos from a late April posting). Today, an odd "bug" was seen crawling along the road. It was originally identified by me as a dragonfly nymph, but several comments have indicated it is not. The leading contender is that it is the larva of a Predaceous Diving Beetle (Family Dysticidae). I tend to agree with this assessment. Others have called it a "helgrimite" which is a colloquial name for Dobsonfly larva (Family Corydalidae). These are entirely aquatic at this stage of their life, so seeing one crawling along the dry gravel road was bizarre. We figured it had been captured in the water by a bird (grackle?) but when it reared its fearsome head, like something out of a sci-fi movie, the bird may have dropped it into the road. I returned it to the roadside pond after taking photos and avoiding getting bitten.

Predaceous Diving Beetle larva (Dysticidae), species unknown

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding today possible: Chris Charlebois, Jean Gramlich, and Dave Lancaster.

==========================================================

Banding Data: ==========================================================

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:00 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15

Hours Open: 7.50

No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25

Net Hours: 93.00

Temperature (F): 56-73

Sky: 50-0% cloud cover

Wind: WNW-W @ 3-5-12 mph

Barometer: 29.85 - 29.86

Precipitation: None

No. Banded: 36 (plus 20 recaptured and 8 released unbanded)

No. of Species: 19

Capture Rate: 68.8 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Chris Charlebois, Jean Gramlich, Dave Lancaster

"Traill's" Flycatcher - 1

[Willow Flycatcher - 1 recaptured]

House Wren - 1

[American Robin - 2 recaptured]

Gray Catbird - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)

Yellow Warbler - 3 (plus 3 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Magnolia Warbler - 1

American Redstart - 1

Mourning Warbler - 1

Common Yellowthroat - 4 (plus 1 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Wilson's Warbler - 5

Canada Warbler - 1

[Song Sparrow - 3 recaptured]

[Swamp Sparrow - 1 recaptured]

[Northern Cardinal - 2 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 10 (plus 4 recaptured and 3 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 3 (plus 3 released unbanded)

Brown-headed Cowbird - 1

Baltimore Oriole - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)

American Goldfinch - 1

Metro Beach banding report - May 23 & 25, 2009

After an absence of thirteen days during the peak of spring migration, I was finally able to return to banding at Metro Beach thanks to the help of several volunteers. As expected, the majority of sparrows have moved through while thrushes and Empidonax flycatchers have increased somewhat. The selection of warblers was distinctly comprised of the later migrants. On a more mundane level, a new spring season record for Red-winged Blackbirds was broken on May 23 (old record was 92 from spring 2008). Typically, we catch a lot of male Red-wings in April and early May while we catch mainly females in late May into early June. We are starting to catch more females as expected, but are continuing to catch males and the season total is now in excess of 120. As the spring progresses, we are also recapturing more of the local breeding species, and so far there have been 16 Yellow Warblers banded in previous years (back to 2005), several Common Yellowthroats (back to 2006), 12 Black-capped Chickadees (back to 2005), more than a dozen American Goldfinches (back to 2006), and 4 Baltimore Orioles (back to 2004). Over these two days of banding, 131 birds were banded, with the greatest number on May 23 and the best diversity (including a couple surprises) on May 25.

Banding highlights from Saturday, May 23 included a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, an Alder Flycatcher, a Least Flycatcher, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow, a Gray-cheeked Thrush, and the first American Redstarts, Mourning and Wilson's Warblers of the spring.

Mourning Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Additional banding highlights included a Gray-cheeked Thrush, a Lincoln's Sparrow, and SIX Baltimore Orioles. Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Sora calling in the marsh, singing Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow-bellied and Willow Flycatchers, a late Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and a few additional warblers including single Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, and Blackpoll as well as multiple singing Canada Warblers.

Banding highlights from Monday, May 25 included three Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, a Hairy Woodpecker, and several Empidonax flycatchers banded as "Traill's" (Willow or Alder) including one that keyed out to Alder. As many of you know, these flycatchers are very challenging, and among my favorites to band.

"Traill's" Flycatcher

Other banding highlights included a Tree Swallow, a late-ish Veery, three more Baltimore Orioles, SIX Wilson's Warblers, and the first Canada Warbler of the spring.

Canada Warbler

Later in the day, two surprises were captured. First was a Savannah Sparrow, a species quite unexpected in a marsh adjacent to a swamp, and only the second one banded here since 2004 and only the third ever (the first was in spring 1993). This is quite a beautiful sparrow up close.

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

The second surprise was an Eastern Kingbird, only the second ever banded here (the first was in spring 1999).

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

Personally, this is also only the third time I've ever banded this species; the first time was at Holiday Beach, Ontario, many years ago when I banded three in 1998 and three more in 1999. All these, however, were hatch-year birds. Today's Eastern Kingbird was an after hatch-year male and as a result showed plumage characters I'd not seen before including the hidden red crown patch typical of adults.

Eastern Kingbird crown patch

Another character that adult Eastern Kingbirds show is notching on the outer two primaries. Since this notching measured more than 8 mm, it was possible to sex this bird as male.

Eastern Kingbird, male

Interesting birds observed but not banded included three flyover Turkey Vultures, a Sora calling in the marsh, a briefly calling Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, a continuing and late Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (probably nesting by now), as well as single Bay-breasted and Blackpoll Warblers, and up to three Mourning Warblers singing all around us most of the morning.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these two days possible: Elaine Attridge, Andrea Charlebois, Chris Charlebois, Michael Charlebois, David Furi, Harry Lau, Rose Lau, Tessa Lau, and Jennifer Philpot-Munson.

==========================================================
Banding Data:
==========================================================

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:04 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:00
Hours Open: 7.25
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 88.563
Temperature (F): 50-73
Sky: 10-80% cloud cover
Wind: NE-E @ 1-3-10 mph
Barometer: 30.21 - 30.14
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 78 (plus 23 recaptured and 6 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 27
Capture Rate: 120.8 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: David Furi, Harry Lau, Rose Lau, Tessa Lau

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1

[Downy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]

[Northern Flicker - 1 released unbanded]

Alder Flycatcher - 1

Least Flycatcher - 1

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1

[Black-capped Chickadee - 3 recaptured]

House Wren - 1

Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1

Swainson's Thrush - 4

American Robin - 4 (plus 2 recaptured)

Gray Catbird - 6

Nashville Warbler - 1

Yellow Warbler - 8 (plus 3 recaptured)

Magnolia Warbler - 1

American Redstart - 2

Mourning Warbler - 2

Common Yellowthroat - 2 (plus 5 recaptured)

Wilson's Warbler - 2 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Song Sparrow - 1

Lincoln's Sparrow - 1

[Swamp Sparrow - 1 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 26 (plus 2 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 4 (plus 1 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Baltimore Oriole - 6

American Goldfinch - 1 (plus 4 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:02 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15

Hours Open: 7.50

No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25

Net Hours: 93.00

Temperature (F): 52-68

Sky: 70-20% cloud cover

Wind: NNE-E @ 3-5-10 mph

Barometer: 30.21 - 30.28

Precipitation: None

No. Banded: 53 (plus 24 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)

No. of Species: 24

Capture Rate: 84.9 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Elaine Attridge, Andrea Charlebois, Chris Charlebois, Mike Charlebois, Jennifer Philpot-Munson

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3

Downy Woodpecker - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)

Hairy Woodpecker - 1

Alder Flycatcher - 1

"Traill's" Flycatcher - 3

EASTERN KINGBIRD - 1

Tree Swallow - 1

[Black-capped Chickadee - 2 recaptured]

[House Wren - 2 recaptured]

Veery - 1

Swainson's Thrush - 4

American Robin - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)

Gray Catbird - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)

Yellow Warbler - 2 (plus 5 recaptured)

Magnolia Warbler - 1

American Redstart - 1

[Common Yellowthroat - 3 recaptured]

Wilson's Warbler - 6 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Canada Warbler - 1

SAVANNAH SPARROW - 1

[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 11 (plus 2 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)

Baltimore Oriole - 3 (plus 3 recaptured)

American Goldfinch - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Metro Beach banding report - May 8-10, 2009

The warblers have arrived!

The impressive total of 138 birds banded on these three days, Friday May 8 through Sunday May 10, would have been even more impressive if we hadn't been all but shut down completely by bad weather on Saturday, and had more than a partial day to band on Sunday (curtailed due to an afternoon commitment). As a result, there are more photo highlights in this installment. Who could resist these colors?

Banding highlights from Friday, May 8, included a very good number of Veeries, six to be exact, which may be a record number banded for one day here. One of the Veeries had a large, engorged tick on its neck, which I removed to be sent to a researcher studying the dispersal of Lyme Disease.

Among the 9 species of warbler banded today, among the most interesting, or at least most colorful, included a Chestnut-sided...

...a Black-throated Green...

...and my favorite, Magnolia Warbler.

The third White-eyed Vireo of the spring was not as unexpected as it might have been, since this species seems to be everywhere, and in greater numbers this spring.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Worm-eating Warbler singing from the swamp near the Upland Nets. Unfortunately we didn't catch him. We also observed Chimney Swifts, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Marsh Wren, Tennessee, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, Palm, and Black-and-white Warblers.

Banding highlights from Saturday, May 9, included, well...nothing. We were only able to get 9 of the 13 nets open, and then only for less than two hours as first we got rain, then very strong winds. Very little of interest was observed, though we did see a Common Loon fly over and there was a Sora calling in the marsh, and the first Wilson's Warbler of the season singing next to the cars.

Banding highlights from Sunday, May 10, included the first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (2) of the season, obviously a big highlight for me.

Also, the first Wood Thrushes (2) of the spring were banded today.

As on Friday, 9 species of warbler were banded today in a similar mixture, but with the first Palm Warbler of the season as well as some unexpectedly late Yellow-rumped Warblers. But in this season of warblers, sparrows provided highlights as well, with a nice White-crowned Sparrow today, a species we don't often catch.

And Lincoln's Sparrows continue to move through in small numbers. While last week's installment also had a photo of this species, I can't resist posting another as it is one of my favorite sparrow species.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included large flocks of swallows, including several Northern Rough-winged and Bank, and large numbers of Tree and Barn, with groups of Chimney Swifts mixed in at times. A Golden-winged Warbler was singing briefly very early in the morning but apparently didn't stick around. Other interesting warblers observed included Northern Parula, Cape May (very low in the trees), Blackburnian (at least 3), and Blackpoll. A Scarlet Tanager was "chick-burr"-ing from near the Upland Nets for part of the morning, and Baltimore Orioles were numerous and conspicuous.

A non-avian highlight of Sunday morning was the beautiful moon-set over Lake St. Clair at 6 a.m.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these three days possible: Terri Chapdelaine, Andrea Charlebois, Chris Charlebois, Jean Gramlich, and Renee Render,.

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Banding Data:
==========================================================

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:19 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15
Hours Open: 7.25
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 88.188
Temperature (F): 60-72
Sky: 50-80% cloud cover
Wind: SW @ 3-5 mph
Barometer: 29.80 - 29.78
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 68 (plus 17 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 32
Capture Rate: 97.5 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: Jean Gramlich, Renee Render

Downy Woodpecker - 1

White-eyed Vireo - 1

Warbling Vireo - 1

Blue Jay - 1

[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]

House Wren - 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1

Veery - 6

Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1

Swainson's Thrush - 1

Hermit Thrush - 2

American Robin - 3

Gray Catbird - 2

Nashville Warbler - 2

Yellow Warbler - 12 (plus 5 recaptured)

Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1

Magnolia Warbler - 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1

Black-throated Green Warbler - 1

Ovenbird - 5

Northern Waterthrush - 1

Common Yellowthroat - 2

[Song Sparrow - 2 recaptured]

Lincoln's Sparrow - 2

Swamp Sparrow - 10 (plus 1 recaptured)

White-throated Sparrow - 5

[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 2 (plus 2 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 1

Brown-headed Cowbird - 1

[Baltimore Oriole - 2 recaptured]

[American Goldfinch - 3 recaptured]

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SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:17 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 7:45 (rain and high winds forced early closure)

Hours Open: 1.75

No. of Nets: 5.00-8.75

Net Hours: 11.563

Temperature (F): 60-62

Sky: 70-100% cloud cover

Wind: S-W @ 3-5-25 mph

Barometer: 29.62 - 29.59

Precipitation: Rain (forced early closure)

No. Banded: 6 (plus 4 recaptured)

No. of Species: 5

Capture Rate: 86.5 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Andrea Charlebois, Chris Charlebois

Swainson's Thrush - 1

Gray Catbird - 1

Yellow Warbler - 3 (plus 3 recaptured)

[Song Sparrow - 1 recaptured]

Swamp Sparrow - 1

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SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:16 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 10:30
Hours Open: 4.75
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 55.438
Temperature (F): 48-61
Sky: 40-50% cloud cover
Wind: WNW @ 5-7-10 mph
Barometer: 30.14 - 30.16
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 70 (plus 19 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 28
Capture Rate: 164.1 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: Terri Chapdelaine

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2

[Downy Woodpecker - 2 recaptured]

Warbling Vireo - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

House Wren - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3

Veery - 2

Swainson's Thrush - 1

Hermit Thrush - 1

Wood Thrush - 2

Gray Catbird - 4

Nashville Warbler - 4

Yellow Warbler - 16 (plus 6 recaptured)

Magnolia Warbler - 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4

Black-throated Green Warbler - 1

Palm Warbler - 1

Ovenbird - 2

Northern Waterthrush - 2

Common Yellowthroat - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

[Song Sparrow - 3 recaptured]

Lincoln's Sparrow - 2

Swamp Sparrow - 7 (plus 1 recaptured)

White-throated Sparrow - 7 (plus 1 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)

White-crowned Sparrow - 1

[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)

Common Grackle - 1

[Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 recaptured]

Metro Beach Banding - April 30 & May 2, 2009

Conditions returned to more seasonal norms, with cooler temperatures and, yes, rain. On Thursday, April 30, we were only able to keep the nets open for 3 hours before the rain began. While the birds were kept safe by our early closure of nets, the intrepid volunteers (Chad and Cathy) got stuck taking down the station in a cold, light, continuous rain. So, again extra thanks to them for enduring the additional discomforts. On Saturday, May 2, it was sunny and nice, but with winds becoming a bit gusty later in the day. The thistle sock feeders have now been taken down from inside the Field Nets, and the hummingbird feeders are now up near the Field Edge net.

Banding highlights from Thursday, April 30, included not one but TWO White-eyed Vireos. One was a second-year and the other an after second-year. The photos below show the SY above, with a pearly-gray eye and the ASY below with a much whiter eye. Plumage characters (molt limits) also supported these age designations.

Although I've banded two White-eyed Vireos in the same spring season, I don't think I've ever had two on the same day (they were even on the same net run!).

Another highlight today was a Brown Thrasher, which is a species we don't catch every year.

Other firsts for the spring included a Black-and-white Warbler, an Ovenbird, and a Common Yellowthroat. And, I banded a species I've never banded in my life before today. Not because of any great rarity, but because of protocol. Ellie Cox's protocol established that any bird captured at the station would be banded, provided the banding permit allows (i.e., no ducks). As a result, I've banded a few European Starlings here which normally I might not. So, it was surprising to see the following two birds, male and female, in the Willow net closest to where we park the cars.

Yes, a male and female (with a big brood patch) House Sparrow finally hit the nets. Between 1989-2001 only 5 House Sparrows were banded, all in spring.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a pair of Blue-winged Teal in the swamp adjacent to the Upland Nets, a Sora calling in the marsh near the Field Nets, an Eastern Kingbird heard briefly, a Gray Catbird, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Palm Warbler.

Banding highlights from Saturday, May 2, included the first Warbling Vireo of the spring. Not many of these are banded these days, possibly due to the decreased undergrowth in the banding area from extensive browsing by the White-tailed Deer.

Blue Jays were flying south, reverse migrating, in good numbers today (70+), and as sometimes happens during these movements, several were captured. The peak of migration seems to be about the only time when Blue Jays are captured here. Not a rare bird, but always beautiful and exciting to catch.

Other banding highlights included the first Gray Catbird of the spring, three Northern Waterthrushes on the first net run, and the first Lincoln's Sparrow of the spring.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Cooper's Hawk in display flight, a briefly-seen Broad-winged Hawk, a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird at the feeders, a singing White-eyed Vireo near the cars (not banded), a briefly singing Blue-headed Vireo, the first Marsh Wren of the spring, and a Baltimore Oriole.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these two days possible: Dave Furi, Chad Geurts, Cathy Thiesen, and Joan Tisdale. Thanks also to Dave Furi for allowing me to use his photo of Lincoln's Sparrow.

==========================================================

Banding Data:

==========================================================

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:29 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 10:00 (rain forced early closure)

Hours Open: 4.25

No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25

Net Hours: 48.438

Temperature (F): 52-54

Sky: 100% cloud cover

Wind: SE @ 5-7 mph

Barometer: 30.20 - 30.09

Precipitation: Rain started at 10:00

No. Banded: 59 (plus 8 recaptured)

No. of Species: 18

Capture Rate: 138.3 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Chad Geurts, Cathy Thiesen

Northern Flicker - 1

White-eyed Vireo - 2

Blue Jay - 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3

Hermit Thrush - 2

Brown Thrasher - 1

Yellow Warbler - 4 (plus 1 recaptured)

Black-and-white Warbler - 1

Ovenbird - 1

Northern Waterthrush - 1

Common Yellowthroat - 1 (plus recaptured)

Song Sparrow - 2 (plus 2 recaptured)

Swamp Sparrow - 19

White-throated Sparrow - 4

Red-winged Blackbird - 7

Brown-headed Cowbird - 1

American Goldfinch - 6 (plus 4 recaptured)

House Sparrow - 2

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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:28 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:00
Hours Open: 7.25
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 88.563
Temperature (F): 45-64
Sky: 10-50% cloud cover
Wind: Calm-SSE @ 0-5-15 mph
Barometer: 30.05 - 29.95
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 29 (plus 16 recaptured and 5 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 14
Capture Rate: 56.5 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: Dave Furi, Joan Tisdale

Downy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Warbling Vireo - 1

Blue Jay - 6 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Gray Catbird - 1

Yellow Warbler - 1 (plus 4 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Northern Waterthrush - 3

Common Yellowthroat - 1 (plus 1 released unbanded)

[Song Sparrow - 7 recaptured]

Lincoln's Sparrow - 1

Swamp Sparrow - 12 (plus 3 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Northern Cardinal - 1

[Red-winged Blackbird - 1 released unbanded]

[Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 recaptured]

American Goldfinch - 1