Metro Beach banding station report - May 23-27, 2013

This past week saw lower than normal temperatures and yes, again, some rain, which cut short banding activities on one day. Despite the rain, the banding area has become quite dried out similar to what occurs by late July, so perhaps we are headed for another drought year? Only a few migrants were in the banding area, and very few were captured. Banding this week could not have been done without the help of the following volunteers: John Bieganowski, Jacob Charlebois, Jean Gramlich, Dave Lancaster, Mary Mangas, Steve Mangas, Tom Schlack, Ai Wen, and Blanche Wicke.

Highlights of the 23 birds banded on Thursday, May 23 included a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird that was already banded. Checking the records, it was banded in fall 2010 as a hatch-year female, so it is 2 years 11 months old.

Fourth-year female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

One of the most surprising season firsts today was a single Swainson's Thrush. It is surprising because normally the first one is captured here before May 10, and they typically peak in numbers around May 20.

After hatch-year Swainson's Thrush

Among the few migrant warblers captured today were two Magnolia Warblers, a single Ovenbird, and this second-year male American Redstart. How many birders would call this a female in the field because of the yellow on the wings and tail, overlooking the black blotches on the head?

Second-year male American Redstart

Second-year male American Redstart

Interesting birds observed but not banded today included a pair of Spotted Sandpipers observed copulating, a calling Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a singing Willow Flycatcher, a rather late but clearly seen Hermit Thrush, and Tennessee, Black-throated Blue, Bay-breasted, and Wilson's Warbler, and Northern Waterthrush.

Highlights of the 46 birds banded on Friday, May 24 included a first ever for the station, and a first for me personally as well, a Spotted Sandpiper! This individual was aged after second-year because it showed no pale fringing on any feathers on the upperparts, and sexed as female because of the numerous large spots on the underparts (males have fewer and smaller spots according to Pyle).

After second-year female Spotted Sandpiper

After second-year female Spotted Sandpiper

After second-year female Spotted Sandpiper

The first "Traill's" Flycatchers of the season were represented by five individuals banded today, two of which keyed out as Alder Flycatcher.

After hatch-year "Traill's" Flycatcher

For the second time, Eastern Phoebe makes the list of highlights because of how late one was banded. Back on May 4 an individual was record late for this site by 16 days. So, today's bird, more than a month past the previous record, was extraordinary since they do not nest in the park as far as I know, so are only migrants here.

After hatch-year Eastern Phoebe

It was also a good day for banding swallows, with two Barn Swallows and two Northern Rough-winged Swallows.

After hatch-year female Barn Swallow

After hatch-year female Barn Swallow

The Barn Swallows were both sexed as female based on the relatively short tail fork measurement, and one individual also had an extensive brood patch.

After hatch-year female Barn Swallow

There was one male and one female Northern Rough-winged Swallow; the male sexed based on the rough little hooklets along the leading edge of the 10th primary. The female was a bit unusual in that she seemed to have some oily patches on her head and wings, probably from building a nest in some dirty pipe in the area.

After hatch-year female N. Rough-winged Swallow

After hatch-year female N. Rough-winged Swallow

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a calling Virginia Rail, single Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, and American Redstart.

Highlights of the 30 birds banded on Monday, May 27 included the third Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the spring (plus one returnee on Thursday), plus two more fledgling Carolina Wrens. These were almost certainly two more from the brood from which two were banded more than a week ago, as they were captured in the same general area.

Hatch-year Carolina Wren

And returning to the highlights again is the Veery, one of which was captured today bringing the season's total to a record of 10. Although single Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrushes were also captured today, only the Veery has been banded in good numbers, with these other two species notably scarce so far.

After hatch-year Veery

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a winnowing Wilson's Snipe, which has not been heard in more than two weeks, and singing Alder and Willow Flycatchers, and singing Magnolia, Bay-breasted, and Wilson's Warbler, and American Redstarts.

============================
Banding Data
-------------------------------------
THURSDAY, May 23, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:03
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 10:30
Hours Open: 4.25 (rain forced early close)
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.75
Net Hours: 51.438
Temperature (F): 63-50
Cloud Cover: 60-100%
Wind: SW-N @ 3-5-20 mph
Barometer: 29.11-29.25
Precipitation: Brief rain 8:30-9:00, steady rain after 10:30
No. Banded: 23 (plus 14 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 17
Capture Rate: 75.8 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 7.0 hours, 5:00-12:30): John Bieganowski, Dave Lancaster, Tom Schlack.

Mourning Dove - 1
[Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 recaptured]
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 1
American Robin - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
European Starling - 1
Yellow Warbler - 1 (plus 4 recaptured)
Magnolia Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 1
Ovenbird - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 2 (plus 3 recaptured)
[Song Sparrow - 1 recaptured]
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]
Red-winged Blackbird - 4 (plus 1 recaptured)
[Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 recaptured]
American Goldfinch - 6 (plus 1 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)

-------------------------------------
FRIDAY, May 24, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:03
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15
Hours Open: 7.50
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.75
Net Hours: 96.125
Temperature (F): 39-50
Cloud Cover: 50-100-50%
Wind: NW @ 7-10-15 mph
Barometer: 29.59-29.73
Precipitation: Trace rain in a.m.
No. Banded: 46 (plus 22 recaptured and 3 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 22
Capture Rate: 73.9 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 10.0 hours, 5:00-15:30): Jean Gramlich, Steve Mangas, Ai Wen, Blanche Wicke.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Alder Flycatcher - 2
"Traill's" Flycatcher - 3
Least Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Warbling Vireo - 1
Tree Swallow - 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 2
Barn Swallow - 2
Swainson's Thrush - 1
American Robin - 1
European Starling - 1 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Yellow Warbler - 3 (plus 5 recaptured)
Common Yellowthroat - 3 (plus 4 recaptured)
Wilson's Warbler - 2 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Red-winged Blackbird - 3 (plus 1 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)
Brown-headed Cowbird - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
Baltimore Oriole - 4 (plus 2 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 8 (plus 5 recaptured)

-------------------------------------
MONDAY, May 27, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:01
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 12:45
Hours Open: 7.00
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.75
Net Hours: 89.25
Temperature (F): 39-57
Cloud Cover: 50-100%
Wind: NE-SE @ 1-3-12 mph
Barometer: 29.62-29.56
Precipitation: None (but rain after close)
No. Banded: 30 (plus 20 recaptured)
No. of Species: 16
Capture Rate: 56.0 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 10.0 hours, 5:00-15:00): Jacob Charlebois, Mary Mangas, Steve Mangas, Blanche Wicke.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Alder Flycatcher - 2
Carolina Wren - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
Veery - 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 1
American Robin - 1
Gray Catbird - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Yellow Warbler - 3 (plus 3 recaptured)
Common Yellowthroat - 4 (plus 2 recaptured)
[Song Sparrow - 4 recaptured]
Red-winged Blackbird - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)
Common Grackle - 1
[Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 recaptured]
[Baltimore Oriole - 1 recaptured]
American Goldfinch - 9 (plus 5 recaptured)

Metro Beach banding station report - May 4-18, 2013

Family health issues forced cancellation of banding on one day (May 10), and prevented me from updating this blog until now. So, this entry is longer than usual as it covers four days of banding, Saturday May 4, Saturday May 11, Monday May 13, and Saturday May 18.

The first two weeks of May saw temperatures near normal after some cooler days in April, though the starting temperature on May 13 was only 32 degrees! And the rainy conditions abated, which resulted in less wet and muddy conditions in the banding area. Warblers and thrushes finally arrived, perhaps a week later than normal, while White-throated Sparrows petered out considerably with the result that this spring may be the lowest number ever banded. A total of 279 birds was banded on these four days, bringing the total for the spring to 559. Only 171 more birds and the station will have its 20,000th bird banded since 2004 (about 15,000 from 1989-1999). If you would care to guess what the species will be, post it in the comments section of this blog. In the meantime, enjoy the many highlights below.

As always, banding could not be conducted without the efforts of dedicated volunteers, which on these four days included: Chris Charlebois, Jacob Charlebois, Jean Gramlich, Dave Lancaster, Scott Nottmeier, Tom Schlack, Joan Tisdale, Ai Wen, and Blanche Wicke.

Highlights of the 46 birds banded on Saturday, May 4 included the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the season, which was record early for this location by one day.

After hatch-year male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

An Eastern Phoebe was interesting because it was record late, by about three weeks! Phoebes don't nest in the park as far as I know, so all those here are migrants, and migration generally occurs in April here.

After hatch-year Eastern Phoebe

Some other migrants were just about on time, including Warbling Vireo, and Veery.

After hatch-year Warbling Vireo

After hatch-year Veery

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a calling Sora, two Least Flycatchers, a Brown Thrasher, and two Nashville Warblers.

Highlights of the 53 birds banded on Saturday, May 11 included a Northern Flicker, which is infrequently captured as they can get out of the nets we use fairly easily. note the lack of black whisker mark, indicating that it was a female.

Second-year female Northern Flicker

Arriving rather late was the first Gray Catbird of the season.

After second-year Gray Catbird

As today was also the North American Migration Count, we were hoping to perhaps band a species or two that was not detected elsewhere in the park. But it was surprising that this Cedar Waxwing was the only one today.

After hatch-year female Cedar Waxwing

Several warblers banded today were firsts for the season, all later arrivals than normal, including Nashville, Magnolia, Ovenbird, and Northern Waterthrush.

After hatch-year male Nashville Warbler

After second-year male Magnolia Warbler

After hatch-year Ovenbird

After hatch-year Northern Waterthrush

Two Lincoln's Sparrows were the first for the season, and a bit later than normal as well.

After hatch-year Lincoln's Sparrow

And the female Indigo Bunting was not only the first of the season of this very infrequently banded species, but it was the only one found on the bird count in the park this day.

After second-year female Indigo Bunting

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Swainson's Thrush and a somewhat late Hermit Thrush. Additional warblers observed included Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, Black-and-white, Wilson's, and American Redstart.

Highlights of the 59 birds banded on Monday, May 13 included the first Empidonax flycatcher of the spring, a Least, which was about a week later than normal.

After hatch-year Least Flycatcher

Every spring, I expect to band newly hatched young of at least one species. Most years it is an American Robin, or sometimes a Common Grackle, and always in the last week of May or first week of June. This year it was quite a surprise to capture two recently fledged Carolina Wrens, along with one of its parents which was banded originally last year.

Hatch-year Carolina Wren

Two more warbler species were firsts for the spring, Black-and-white (four!) and a single Palm Warbler. The Palm was quite overdue.

Second-year male Black-and-white Warbler

After hatch-year Palm Warbler

Yellow Warblers rarely make it into the highlights after the first one gets banded, but one captured today was special. It was originally banded on May 11, 2011 as a second-year male based on the fairly broad chestnut streaks on its breast. But in June of that year it was recaptured and had an extensive brood patch, and was clearly forming an egg in its abdomen!

After second-year female Yellow Warbler

Although they first arrived in the banding area in the first few days of May, the first Baltimore Orioles of the spring were captured today, including this brilliant after second-year male.

After second-year male Baltimore Oriole

A real surprise, partly because only a handful have been banded here since 2004, but also because they are quite rare after May 5, was this record late Rusty Blackbird.

Second-year female Rusty Blackbird

Second-year female Rusty Blackbird

Second-year female Rusty Blackbird

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Wood Thrush, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Highlights of the 121 birds banded on Saturday, May 18 included a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a species that is fairly common in the area but is rarely captured.

Second-year female Red-bellied Woodpecker

Two Eastern Wood-Pewees were captured, one previously banded and one not, in a very unusual location; the Field Nets.

After hatch-year Eastern Wood-Pewee

The five Veeries banded today was only one short of the record for a single day, so it was not surprising that a Gray-cheeked Thrush was also captured (but still no Swainson's even though they've been observed in the area!).

Second-year Gray-cheeked Thrush

Golden-winged Warbler is a very infrequently banded species at this station, so it was nice to see this second-year female in the nets.

Second-year female Golden-winged Warbler

After being observed in the banding area for at least a week in small numbers, there were so many American Redstarts today that it would have been embarrassing not to catch one. And in fact, we caught 14 of them today!

Second-year female American Redstart

After second-year male American Redstart

It has been an interesting if not odd spring, with lots of late arrivals, but also with normally later species arriving more or less on time, including this Canada Warbler (two males were also observed in the banding area).

Second-year female Canada Warbler

And Wilson's Warbler is also in the category of a generally later migrant that seemed to arrive just about on time today.

After hatch-year male Wilson's Warbler

The best bird of the day came on the last net run, a brilliant male Scarlet Tanager. Since 2004, only one other tanager has been banded, and that one was a female in spring 2005.

Second-year male Scarlet Tanager

Second-year male Scarlet Tanager

Interesting birds observed but not banded were numerous as there were many, many birds around today, and included a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a somewhat late Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Tennessee, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, and Blackpoll Warblers, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting.

============================
Banding Data
-------------------------------------
SATURDAY, May 4, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:23
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15
Hours Open: 7.50
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.75
Net Hours: 96.125
Temperature (F): 54-70
Cloud Cover: 20-90%
Wind: SE @ 5-7 mph
Barometer: 29.49-29.52
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 46 (plus 13 recaptured and 3 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 20
Capture Rate: 64.5 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 10.0 hours, 5:00-15:00): Jacob Charlebois, Jean Gramlich, Scott Nottmeier (6.0 hrs), Blanche Wicke.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 2
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Warbling Vireo - 2
Blue Jay - 4
Tree Swallow - 3
[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]
Tufted Titmouse - 1
House Wren - 1
Veery - 2
American Robin - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Yellow Warbler - 13 (plus 4 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)
[Common Yellowthroat - 1 recaptured]
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 4
White-throated Sparrow - 2
Northern Cardinal - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 3 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1
American Goldfinch - 1 (plus 5 recaptured)

-------------------------------------
SATURDAY, May 11, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:15
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:15
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:45
Hours Open: 7.50
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.75
Net Hours: 97.125
Temperature (F): 43-61
Cloud Cover: 100-50%
Wind: WNW-S @ 1-3-12 mph
Barometer: 30.21-30.13
Precipitation: Trace rain in a.m.
No. Banded: 53 (plus 23 recaptured and 3 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 20
Capture Rate: 81.3 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 10.5 hours, 5:00-15:30): Chris Charlebois (1.0 hr), Jacob Charlebois, Dave Lancaster (3.5 hrs), Scott Nottmeier.

[Downy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]
Northern Flicker - 1
American Robin - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)
Gray Catbird - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 1
Nashville Warbler - 1
Yellow Warbler - 5 (plus 8 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)
Magnolia Warbler - 1 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Ovenbird - 3
Northern Waterthrush - 3
Common Yellowthroat - 2 (plus 3 recaptured)
Song Sparrow - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)
Lincoln's Sparrow - 2
Swamp Sparrow - 3
Indigo Bunting - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Brown-headed Cowbird - 3
American Goldfinch - 12 (plus 6 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

-------------------------------------
MONDAY, May 13, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:13
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15
Hours Open: 7.50
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.75
Net Hours: 96.125
Temperature (F): 32-52
Cloud Cover: 10-80%
Wind: W-WNW @ 3-5-10 mph
Barometer: 30.43-30.51
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 59 (plus 24 recaptured)
No. of Species: 28
Capture Rate: 86.3 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 9.5 hours, 5:00-14:30): Tom Schlack, Ai Wen, Blanche Wicke (6.25 hrs).

Downy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Least Flycatcher - 1
Tree Swallow - 2
Carolina Wren - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
Veery - 2
Hermit Thrush - 1
[American Robin - 1 recaptured]
Gray Catbird - 3
European Starling - 1
Yellow Warbler - 3 (plus 4 recaptured)
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Palm Warbler - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
Ovenbird - 2
Northern Waterthrush - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 7 (plus 2 recaptured)
[Song Sparrow - 5 recaptured]
Lincoln's Sparrow - 4 (plus 1 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 2
White-throated Sparrow - 4
[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]
Red-winged Blackbird - 1
Rusty Blackbird - 1
Common Grackle - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1
Baltimore Oriole - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 8 (plus 5 recaptured)

-------------------------------------
SATURDAY, May 18, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:08
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 14:30
Hours Open: 8.50
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.75
Net Hours: 98.875
Temperature (F): 55-79
Cloud Cover: 100-10%
Wind: NNE @ 3-5-10 mph
Barometer: 29.51-29.46
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 121 (plus 15 recaptured and 3 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 31
Capture Rate: 145.0 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 11.5 hours, 5:00-16:30): Scott Nottmeier (2.0 hrs), Joan Tisdale (1.0 hrs), Ai Wen, Blanche Wicke.

Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 3 recaptured)
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Blue Jay - 1
Veery - 5
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1
American Robin - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Gray Catbird - 4 (plus 1 released unbanded)
European Starling - 3
Golden-winged Warbler - 1
Yellow Warbler - 10 (plus 3 recaptured)
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 4
Magnolia Warbler - 14 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 5
Black-and-white Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 14
Ovenbird - 5
Northern Waterthrush - 5
Common Yellowthroat - 16 (plus 2 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)
Wilson's Warbler - 2
Canada Warbler - 1
Scarlet Tanager - 1
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 3 recaptured)
[Lincoln's Sparrow - 1 recaptured]
Swamp Sparrow - 6 (plus 1 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 2
Red-winged Blackbird - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Common Grackle - 2
Baltimore Oriole - 2 (plus 3 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 6 (plus 2 recaptured)
House Sparrow - 1

Metro Beach banding station report - April 24-30, 2013

This past week was quite a mixture of seasons. An attempt to band on April 24 was thwarted first by an insufficient number of volunteers. Then, after working out a "plan B" where with one volunteer we'd open only 8 of the 13 nets, the weather forced cancellation for the second time this spring. The temperature was 39 at 6 a.m., and the rain was steady and blowing nearly sideways. By 9 a.m., when we threw in the towel (and used it to dry off!), it was down to 36 degrees and there was some snow mixed in, and still blowing sideways. The prediction from a few days earlier was nowhere near this bad! But conditions on Saturday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 30, were much improved, although the starting temperature on the 27th was a bit low and a band of rain that was not predicted shut us down early on the 30th. Results for these two days were remarkably similar in numbers, though the species composition of each day was quite different. There were still a fair number of sparrows being captured, as well as Red-winged Blackbirds, with just the first trickle of warblers starting to come in.

Many thanks to the following volunteers who made banding on these two days possible: Mary Buchowski, Kathy McDonald, Marie McGee, Scott Nottmeier, and Blanche Wicke. And special thanks to David Boon for waiting out the freezing monsoon on the 24th before we had to cancel, and to Tom Schlack for coming in a little later for support.

Highlights of the 54 birds banded on Saturday, April 27 included a Mourning Dove, a very common species that is rarely banded at this station.

After hatch-year male Mourning Dove














Another infrequently banded species here is Hairy Woodpecker, so it was nice to catch this second-year female.

Second-year female Hairy Woodpecker














In-hand, the nasal tufts that give the species its name can be examined closely, though they do use their bills on fingers the same way they use it on trees.

Second-year female Hairy Woodpecker














Continuing on the theme of infrequently banded species, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher typically arrives in mid-April though this year they were a week later than that, so it was surprising to catch one today.

After hatch-year male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher



After hatch-year male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

The only warbler captured today was the first Black-throated Green Warbler noted in the banding area this spring.

Second-year male
Black-throated Green Warbler



Second-year male
Black-throated Green Warbler

An American Tree Sparrow was a surprise today, as the latest one had been banded here previously was April 23.

After hatch-year American Tree Sparrow














The first Common Grackles of the season were banded today, even though they've been around for at least a month. This nice after second-year male showed off his iridescence nicely.

After second-year male Common Grackle














Interesting birds observed but not banded included two flyover Turkey Vultures possibly migrating late, at least a dozen Blue-winged Teal out in a temporary pond near the Field Nets, a Solitary Sandpiper teasing us as it flew everywhere except into the nets, a single and somewhat late Golden-crowned Kinglet, and an Eastern Towhee.

Highlights of the 53 birds banded on Tuesday, April 30 included yet another Hairy Woodpecker, this one a male, along with the recapture of the one banded on the 27th, and another recaptured that had been banded in 2007. Never before has there been three Hairy Woodpeckers captured in the same day here!

After hatch-year male Hairy Woodpecker














The first Yellow Warblers of the season, two of them, were both males that had been banded previously including one that had been banded in 2007.

After second-year male Yellow Warbler














A new arrival was Common Yellowthroat, which was only detected in the banding area for the first time this spring today, and was followed up by capturing a previously banded individual.

After hatch-year male Common Yellowthroat














Interesting birds observed but not banded today included two flyover Common Loons, two calling Soras, three Wilson's Snipe, including two sitting just a few feet from the Field Edge net that flushed away from the nets (frustrating!), a singing Blue-headed Vireo, and a singing Northern Waterthrush.

============================
Banding Data
-------------------------------------
SATURDAY, April 27, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:33
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 14:00
Hours Open: 8.00
No. of Nets: 3.75-13.75
Net Hours: 97.50
Temperature (F): 39-66
Cloud Cover: 10-0-20%
Wind: Calm-SE @ 0-3-7 mph
Barometer: 29.70-29.63
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 54 (plus 14 recaptured and 5 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 20
Capture Rate: 74.9 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 10.50 hours, 5:00-15:30): Mary Buchowski (5.0 hrs), Scott Nottmeier (8.5 hrs), Blanche Wicke (10.5 hrs)
Mourning Dove - 1
[Downy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Black-capped Chickadee - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
Brown Creeper - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
House Wren - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1
[Hermit Thrush - 1 recaptured]
American Robin - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
European Starling - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
American Tree Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 10 (plus 1 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 1 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Northern Cardinal - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 15 (plus 2 recaptured and 4 released unbanded)
Common Grackle - 2
American Goldfinch - 11 (plus 4 recaptured)

-------------------------------------
TUESDAY, April 30, 2013
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:28
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:15
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 11:15 (rain forced early close)
Hours Open: 5.00
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.75
Net Hours: 59.25
Temperature (F): 52-59
Cloud Cover: 10-100%
Wind: SE @ 5-7-10 mph
Barometer: 29.36-29.49
Precipitation: Rain at 11:30+
No. Banded: 53 (plus 14 recaptured and 5 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 14
Capture Rate: 121.5 birds per 100 net hours
Volunteers (worked 8.5 hours, 5:00-15:30): Kathy McDonald, Marie McGee.

Hairy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Blue Jay - 9 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Tree Swallow - 1
[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]
American Robin - 1
[Yellow Warbler - 2 recaptured]
[Common Yellowthroat - 1 recaptured]
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 15 (plus 1 recaptured)
[White-throated Sparrow - 1 recaptured]
Northern Cardinal - 2
Red-winged Blackbird - 17 (plus 1 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)
Common Grackle - 2 (plus 2 released unbanded)
American Goldfinch - 4 (plus 5 recaptured)