Metro Beach banding report - April 9 & 10, 2010

Winter birds have almost completely moved out of the banding area now, but the early spring migrants are still relatively low in numbers, with the result that mainly resident birds were captured on these two days. The next week or two should see a notable influx of new birds.

Banding highlights on Friday, April 9 included two resident species that are generally fairly common, but are only rarely captured in the banding area. Not one, but two Tufted Titmice were captured; a male and female in the Upland Nets together on the same net run.

The other species that only rarely gets captured in the banding area habitat is House Finch, and two nice males were captured today.

Other banding highlights included 3 Brown Creepers, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet, and 1 Hermit Thrush. Among the recaptures included a Song Sparrow originally banded in 2006. Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Common Loon in breeding plumage flying to the northeast, an American Woodcock calling before sunrise near the Field Nets, 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, at least 3 singing Winter Wrens, 2 American Tree Sparrows, 1 Dark-eyed Junco, and a Rusty Blackbird.

Banding highlights on Saturday, April 10 were few, as only 10 birds were banded. A Golden-crowned Kinglet was welcome, as well as the 2 Swamp Sparrows. The first Northern Cardinals of the season were banded today. Recaptures included a Song Sparrow originally banded in 2005, and single American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee, and Song Sparrow originally banded in 2007. Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Common Loon in breeding plumage flying to the northwest, an American Woodcock calling near the Field Nets, an Eastern Towhee singing before sunrise, and a single Dark-eyed Junco...perhaps the last of the season.

Many thanks to the volunteers who made banding possible on these two days: John Bieganowski, Chris Charlebois, Jacob Charlebois, Amanda Grimm, Lisa McArthur, Tom Schlack, and Joan Tisdale.

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Banding Data
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FRIDAY, April 9, 2010
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 6:02
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:00
Hours Open: 7.00
No. of Nets: 4.25-13.25
Net Hours: 86.750
Temperature (F): 36-45
Cloud Cover: 100-90%
Wind: WSW @ 7-10-12 mph
Barometer: 29.91-30.00
Precipitation: Intermittent light snow (!) in morning
No. Banded: 27 (plus 8 recaptured)
No. of Species: 9
Capture Rate: 40.3 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers: John Bieganowski, Chris Charlebois, Jacob Charlebois, Amanda Grimm, Tom Schlack

Black-capped Chickadee - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Brown Creeper - 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Hermit Thrush - 1
[American Robin - 1 recaptured]
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 3 recaptured)
House Finch - 2
American Goldfinch - 16 (plus 2 recaptured)

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SATURDAY, April 10, 2010
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 12:15 (closed early due to wind)
Hours Open: 6.25
No. of Nets: 4.25-13.25
Net Hours: 74.563
Temperature (F): 32-57
Cloud Cover: 0-20%
Wind: W-SE @ 0-3-15 mph
Barometer: 30.30-30.24
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 10 (plus 7 recaptured)
No. of Species: 7
Capture Rate: 22.8 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers: Lisa McArthur, Joan Tisdale
[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
American Robin - 1
[Song Sparrow - 3 recaptured]
Swamp Sparrow - 2
Northern Cardinal - 2
American Goldfinch - 4 (plus 3 recaptured)