Lake St. Clair Metropark banding report - October 6-22, 2017

The intent at this station is to try to band two days each week, or two days out of every seven. The month of October got off to a good start, with banding three days in a row on the 6th, 7th, and 8th, but then due to both a lack of volunteers, then two days getting rained out, there was an 11 day gap with no banding until another three days in a row on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd. We will always wonder what we might have missed in those 11 days...surely a few White-throated Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes since they peak in mid-October, and possibly some of the last warblers of the season.

Highlights of the 113 birds of 23 species banded on Friday, October 6 included several first for the season, which was not surprising since the last day of banding was 7 days ago. Among these firsts was a Brown Creeper and several Golden-crowned Kinglets.

Hatch-year Brown Creeper

Hatch-year Brown Creeper

Hatch-year female Golden-crowned Kinglet

Among the 23 warblers of 8 species banded today was a one-day record of 7 Orange-crowned Warblers.

After hatch-year male Orange-crowned Warbler

Two of the warblers were somewhat late, a Chestnut-sided and a Wilson's.

Hatch-year Chestnut-sided Warbler

Hatch-year female Wilson's Warbler

Sparrows had a fair showing, but far from what was expected as this is typically the peak for several species in this park. The 8 White-crowned Sparrows today was a fairly good number.

After hatch-year White-crowned Sparrow

The Eastern subspecies is discerned by the small black line connecting the front of the eye to the base of the black lateral crown stipe. Because we had a few to look at, we noticed some variation in the width of that small stripe, and wondered if it was related to the sex of the bird. As far as I know, nobody has studied this.

After hatch-year White-crowned Sparrow

After hatch-year White-crowned Sparrow

On Saturday, October 7, only 46 birds of 18 species was banded. The main highlight was a somewhat late Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Hatch-year Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Among the few warblers captured today was the season's first Palm Warbler.

Hatch-year Palm Warbler

Even fewer birds were banded on Sunday, October 8, with only 35 individuals of 21 species. But if not a good day for quantity, it was good for quality as the highlight of the day was this Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Hatch-year male Sharp-shinned Hawk

Hatch-year Sharp-shinned Hawk

Hatch-year male Sharp-shinned Hawk

Additional interesting birds banded today included a late-ish Swainson's Thrush, and somewhat late warblers including a Magnolia, two Blackpolls, and an American Redstart.

After an 11-day gap, results on Friday, October 20 were good, with 94 birds of 21 species banded. Highlights included two new species for this fall, one of them a result of audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls before dawn...an Eastern Screech-Owl.This was the 4th screech-owl banded in the park, but the first rufous morph.

After hatch-year Eastern Screech-Owl

After hatch-year Eastern Screech-Owl

Not too unexpected was the first Field Sparrow of the fall.

Hatch-year Field Sparrow

Hatch-year Field Sparrow

A Common Yellowthroat was late, but not record late.

Hatch-year Common Yellowthorat

The next day, Saturday, October 21, 70 birds of 19 species were banded with no new species for the fall. Perhaps the most unusual was the 2nd Field Sparrow of the season, and a Gray Catbird that tied the record late date for banding this species here.

Hatch-year Gray Catbird

A couple of Orange-crowned Warblers, including one adult male, gave me a chance to take photos of some plumage characters that are difficult to photograph, like the "blurry" breast streaks, and of course the hidden orange crown.

After hatch-year male Orange-crowned Warbler

After hatch-year male Orange-crowned Warbler

A non-bird highlight of the day was an Eastern Milk Snake discovered by Terri, right in the road between the banding station and the Nature Center. This may have only been the 2nd or 3rd time this species has been seen in this park.

Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

Lower numbers were banded on Sunday, October 22, with only 30 individuals of 13 species. On these days, we can take a closer look at the birds we capture. Today's only Blue Jay was unusual in that it was an adult...vastly more hatch-years of this intelligent species are captured at most banding stations.

After hatch-year Blue Jay

One character for determining age is that older birds have brighter blue on their primary coverts and alula, and also develop barring on those feathers. It was interesting that at a recent meeting of the Inland Bird Bander's Association, one presenter talked about a variety of issues in this species, including that it appears that some Blue Jays, maybe females, never get this barring. The photo below shows this barring, and if you look carefully perhaps you can see them in the photo above as well.

After hatch-year Blue Jay

A House Wren today was a surprise, and it was a record late date (by two days) for banding in this park.

Hatch-year House Wren

Hatch-year House Wren

Banding on these six days could not have been conducted without the capable help of the following volunteers: John Bieganowski, Terri Chapdelaine, Mike Charlebois, Guadeloupe Cummins, Stevie Kuroda, Jac Kyle, Dave Lancaster, Mitchael Neilson, Hannah Pelkey, Matthew Porter, Bruce Watson, and Blanche Wicke.

Detailed Bird Banding Results

October 6, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 6:15
Time closed (E.S.T.): 12:30
Hours Open: 5.25
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 6:35
Net Hours: 78.875
Temperature (F):  57-63
Cloud Cover: 100-95-100%
Wind Direction: Calm-SE
Wind Speed (mph): 0-3-5
Barometer: 30.13 - 30.07
Precipitation:  Intermittent light rain (delayed open, and forced 1-hour close in a.m.)
No. Banded: 113 (plus 15 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
Species Captured: 23
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 163.5
Banding Assistants (10.5 hours worked): John Bieganowski, Mike Charlebois, Jac Kyle, Blanche Wicke.

Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 2
[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]
Brown Creeper - 1
Winter Wren - 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 16 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Swainson's Thrush - 1
Hermit Thrush - 5
Orange-crowned Warbler - 7
Nashville Warbler - 7
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 1
Wilson's Warbler - 1
Song Sparrow - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 6
White-crowned Sparrow - 8
Northern Cardinal - 3
House Finch - 3
American Goldfinch - 31 (plus 13 recaptured)
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October 7, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time closed (E.S.T.): 12:15
Hours Open: 6.5
Sunrise (E.S.T.):  6:36
Net Hours: 110.5
Temperature (F): 64-79
Cloud Cover: 100-20%
Wind Direction: SSE
Wind Speed (mph): 3-5-12
Barometer: 29.71 - 29.81
Precipitation: Intermittent light rain in a.m.
No. Banded: 46 (plus 24 recaptured, 2 released unbanded)
Species Captured: 18
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours):  65.2
Banding Assistants (8.5 hours worked): Mike Charlebois (5.0 hrs), Dave Lancaster, Stevie Kuroda, Bruce Watson.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 1
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5
Hermit Thrush - 1
Gray Catbird - 1
Orange-crowned Warbler - 1
Nashville Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Palm Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 1
Song Sparrow - 2 (plus 2 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)
[White-crowned Sparrow - 2 recaptured]
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 19 (plus 16 recaptured, 2 released unbanded)
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October 8, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time closed (E.S.T.): 12:15 
Hours Open: 6.5
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 6:37
Net Hours: 110.5
Temperature (F): 64-73
Cloud Cover: 100-10%
Wind Direction: SW-S
Wind Speed (mph): 7-12-5
Barometer: 29.78 - 29.93
Precipitation:  None
No. Banded: 35 (plus 11 recaptured)
Species Captured: 21
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 41.6
Banding Assistants (8.0 hours worked): Mike Charlebois, Stevie Kuroda, Hannah Pelkey (7.0 hrs), Bruce Watson, Blanche Wicke. 

Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 1
[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]
[Winter Wren - 1 recaptured]
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 10 (plus 1 recaptured)
Swainson's Thrush - 1
Hermit Thrush - 2
Gray Catbird - 1
Orange-crowned Warbler - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 1
[Wilson's Warbler - 1 recaptured)
[Song Sparrow - 2 recaptured]
White-throated Sparrow - 2
White-crowned Sparrow - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 4 (plus 4 recaptured)
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October 20, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time closed (E.S.T.): 12:15
Hours Open: 6.5 (audio luring for NSWO from 5:45 - 6:15)
Sunrise (E.S.T.):  6:51
Net Hours: 110.5
Temperature (F): 45-68
Cloud Cover: 0-10%
Wind Direction: Calm-NW-SSE
Wind Speed (mph): 0-3-7
Barometer: 30.26 - 30.26
Precipitation:  None
No. Banded: 94 (plus 16 recaptured, 2 released unbanded)
Species Captured: 21
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 101.4
Banding Assistants (8.5 hours worked): John Bieganowski, Guadeloupe Cummins, Mike Charlebois, Dave Lancaster, Blanche Wicke.

Eastern Screech-Owl - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 1
[Black-capped Chickadee - 3 recaptured]
Brown Creeper - 1
[Carolina Wren - 2 recaptured]
Winter Wren - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 13
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 18
Hermit Thrush - 5
Nashville Warbler - 1
[Magnolia Warbler - 1 recaptured]
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 1
Field Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 4 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Swamp Sparrow - 1
White-throated Sparrow - 7
Dark-eyed Junco - 5
Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 1 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
House Finch - 2
American Goldfinch - 29 (plus 9 recaptured)
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October 21, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 5:30
Time closed (E.S.T.): 12:15
Hours Open: 6.75 (audio luring for NSWO from 5:30 - 6:30)
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 6:52
Net Hours: 111.0
Temperature (F): 55-70
Cloud Cover: 15-60%
Wind Direction: S
Wind Speed (mph): 5-7-10
Barometer: 30.24 - 30.24
Precipitation:  None
No. Banded: 70 (plus 20 recaptured)
Species Captured: 19
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 81.1
Banding Assistants (8.0 hours worked): Terri Chapdelaine, Mike Charlebois, Stevie Kuroda, Hannah Pelkey, Mitchael Neilson, Bruce Watson (7.0 hrs). 

[Downy Woodpecker - 2 recaptured]
[Hairy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]
Black-capped Chicakdee - 2 (plus 4 recaptured)
Brown Creeper - 4
Winter Wren - 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 10 (plus 2 recaptured)
Hermit Thrush - 3
American Robin - 2
Gray Catbird - 1
Orange-crowned Warbler - 2
Field Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 1
Swamp Sparrow - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 2
Northern Cardinal - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
House Finch - 1
American Goldfinch - 25 (plus 10 recaptured)
House Sparrow - 2
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October 22, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 5:30
Time closed (E.S.T.): 12:00
Hours Open: 6.5 (audio luring for NSWO from 5:30 - 6:30)
Sunrise (E.S.T.):  6:53
Net Hours: 108.5
Temperature (F): 55-72
Cloud Cover: 40-10%
Wind Direction: SSE-S
Wind Speed (mph): 3-5-7
Barometer: 30.21 - 30.19
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 30 (plus 15 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
Species Captured: 13
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 42.4
Banding Assistants (8.0 hours worked): Mike Charlebois, Stevie Kuroda, Hannah Pelkey, Matthew Porter, Bruce Watson (7.5 hrs), Blanche Wicke. .

 Downy Woodpecker - 1
Blue Jay - 1
Black-capped Chickadee - 1 (plus 3 recaptured)
[Carolina Wren - 1 recaptured]
House Wren - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5 (plus 2 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
Hermit Thrush - 3
Song Sparrow - 3
Swamp Sparrow - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
[Northern Cardinal - 3 recaptured]
American Goldfinch  - 9 (plus 6 recaptured)
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Lake St. Clair Metropark banding report - September 17-29, 2017

The last half of September continued to be good for migrant warblers and thrushes, while sparrows remained scarce.

Highlights of the 80 birds of 22 species banded on September 17 included a Hairy Woodpecker, which is very infrequently banded at this site.

After hatch-year male Hairy Woodpecker

The warblers were the highlight of the day, with 15 individuals of 9 species banded. Adult male American Redstarts are not often captured at this site in fall.

After hatch-year male American Redstart

Any day when a Northern Parula is captured is a good day, and this day we had two of them. Both were hatch-year birds, one a female with a clear yellow breast and the other a male with a lot of chestnut mottling on the breast.

Hatch-year male Northern Parula

Hatch-year male Northern Parula

Hatch-year female Northern Parula

 Additional interesting captures this day included 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, a Philadelphia Vireo, a somewhat late Veery, and 3 Wilson's Warblers. A somewhat late Eastern Kingbird was observed but not banded, and a somewhat early Brown Creeper stayed in the big cottonwood tree next to the banding table most of the day.

Only 12 species were banded on September 23, but 78 individuals was still a good number although American Goldfinches accounted for 41 of them. The nets were closed early today due to the heat (84 degrees) and humidity. The "rarity" of the day was a Brown Thrasher, which is captured every year but only one or two individuals.

After hatch-year Brown Thrasher

It was interesting to view this bird from below. Its eyes are adapted to see downward into the leaf litter that it often forages in, making it look a little bit like an American Bittern!

After hatch-year Brown Thrasher

Good numbers of Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes were banded today, as well as a few warblers. An Eastern Screech-Owl was heard calling while we were opening the first nets, and another White-throated Sparrow was heard, but not captured.

Highlights of the 12 species and 52 individuals banded on September 24 included the first Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the fall.

After hatch-year female Ruby-crowned Kinglet

One of today's 11 Swainson's Thrushes was the 143rd of the season, which breaks last year's record of 142, which was more than double the previous record. It appears that this new site is consistently better for thrush migration in the fall.

Hatch-year Swainson's Thrush

The biggest surprise of the day was a beautiful adult male Golden-winged Warbler, which was only the 4th banded in the park since 2004 and the first in fall. September 24 is also rather late for this species in Michigan.

After hatch-year male Golden-winged Warbler

After hatch-year male Golden-winged Warbler

It was another hot and humid day, with the temperature reaching 86 degrees by the time we closed the nets early. The first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of the fall was seen in a dead cottonwood most of the day.

Temperatures returned to normal on September 29, although the nets had to be closed for 30 minutes early in the morning during a brief rain shower. Highlights of the 98 birds of 30 species banded included a somewhat late Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Hatch-year male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Also somewhat late was a Least Flycatcher that initially looked more like a "Traill's", which would be even more unusual this late. But the overall proportions, bill size and shape, and details of the measurements of the primaries, pointed toward Least Flycatcher.

Hatch-year Least Flycatcher

The season's first Blue-headed Vireo and Winter Wren were banded today.

Hatch-year Blue-headed Vireo

Hatch-year Winter Wren

Hatch-year Winter Wren

A couple pairs of Carolina Wrens have nested in the park for years, but as at other locations, they move around a lot from year-to-year, making them difficult to capture consistently. Both of those captured today were previously banded.

After hatch-year Carolina Wren

After hatch-year Carolina Wren

Numbers of Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes were down today, and the first two Hermit Thrushes of the season were banded.

Hatch-year Hermit Thrush

It was a pretty good day for warblers, with 21 individuals of 10 species banded, including the first Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers of the fall.

Hatch-year male Orange-crowned Warbler

Hatch-year female Yellow-rumped Warbler

 Somewhat late were the two Indigo Buntings caught in the same net on the same net run today.

Hatch-year female Indigo Bunting

And somewhat overdue were the first White-throated Sparrows of the fall.

Hatch-year White-throated Sparrow

Other interesting captures today included two Eastern Phoebes, a somewhat late House Wren, and two more Northern Parulas, bring the season total to 4, which ties the previous record set at the marsh station. A single Pine Siskin was an interesting flyover today.

Banding on these four days would not have been possible without the capable assistance of the following volunteers: Jenifer Benke, John Bieganowski, Terri Chapdelaine, Mike Charlebois, Guadeloupe Cummins, Stevie Kuroda, Hannah Pelkey, Anne Ross, Michelle Serreyn, Bruce Watson, and Blanche Wicke.

Detailed Bird Banding Results

September 17, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time closed (E.S.T.): 12:30
Hours Open: 6.75
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 6:14
Net Hours: 112.75
Temperature (F):  63-79
Cloud Cover: 20-0%
Wind Direction: Calm-SSE
Wind Speed (mph): 0-5-10
Barometer: 30.16 - 30.12
Precipitation:  None
No. Banded: 80 (plus 18 recaptured, 4 released unbanded)
Species Captured: 22
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 90.5
Banding Assistants (8.5 hours worked): Mike Charlebois, Stevie Kuroda, Hannah Pelkey (7.5 hrs), Bruce Watson, Blanche Wicke (6.5 hrs).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 1
Philadelphia Vireo - 1
Black-capped Chickadee - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Veery - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 4 (plus 1 recaptured)
Swainson's Thrush - 7
Gray Catbird - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Nashville Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 2
Ovenbird - 1
Wilson's Warbler - 3
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 5 recaptured, 2 released unbanded)
[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]
House Finch - 2
American Goldfinch - 42 (plus 6 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
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September 23, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time closed (E.S.T.): 11:30 (closed early due to heat & humidity)
Hours Open: 5.75
Sunrise (E.S.T.):  6:20
Net Hours: 95.25
Temperature (F): 66-84
Cloud Cover: 80-0%
Wind Direction: Calm-SE
Wind Speed (mph): 0-3-5
Barometer: 30.11- 30.19
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 78 (plus 9 recaptured,)
Species Captured: 12
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 91.3
Banding Assistants (7.5 hours worked): Jenifer Benke, Mike Charlebois, Stevie Kuroda, Michelle Serreyn.

Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 6
Swainson's Thrush - 11 (plus 1 recaptured)
Gray Catbird - 6
Brown Thrasher - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 2
American Redstart - 4
Ovenbird - 2
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 41 (plus 6 recaptured)
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September 24, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time closed (E.S.T.): 11:15 (closed early due to heat & humidity)
Hours Open: 5.5
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 6:21
Net Hours: 93.0
Temperature (F): 64-86
Cloud Cover: 10-0%
Wind Direction: Calm-SE
Wind Speed (mph): 0-3
Barometer: 30.17 - 30.21
Precipitation:  None
No. Banded: 52 (plus 9 recaptured, 3 released unbanded)
Species Captured: 12
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 68.8
Banding Assistants (7.25 hours worked): Mike Charlebois (5.0 hrs), Stevie Kuroda, Hannah Pelkey (6.5 hrs), Anne Ross, Bruce Watson, Blanche Wicke. 

[Black-capped Chickadee - 2 recaptured]
[Tufted Titmouse - 1 recaptured]
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 5 (plus 2 recaptured)
Swainson's Thrush - 11 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Golden-winged Warbler - 1
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Nashville Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Song Sparrow - 1
American Goldfinch - 28 (plus 3 recaptured, 2 released unbanded)
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September 29, 2017

Time open (E.S.T.): 6:00 (rain delayed open)
Time closed (E.S.T.): 13:00
Hours Open: 6.5 (all nets closed 6:30 - 7:30)
Sunrise (E.S.T.):  6:27
Net Hours: 110.5
Temperature (F): 57-63
Cloud Cover: 100-50%
Wind Direction: SW-NW
Wind Speed (mph): 5-7-12
Barometer: 30.08 - 30.10
Precipitation: Rain until 6:45
No. Banded: 98 (plus 18 recaptured, 3 released unbanded)
Species Captured: 30
Capture Rate (#/100 net hours): 107.7
Banding Assistants (9.0 hours worked): John Bieganowski, Mike Charlebois, Terri Chapdelaine, Guadeloupe Cummins, Blanche Wicke.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Least Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 2
[Carolina Wren - 2 recaptured]
House Wren - 1
Winter Wren - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 6
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Swainson's Thrush - 3
Hermit Thrush - 2
Gray Catbird - 4
Tennessee Warbler - 1
Orange-crowned Warbler - 1
Nashville Warbler - 4
Northern Parula - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4
American Redstart - 4
Ovenbird - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 1
Lincoln's Sparrow - 2
Swamp Sparrow - 2
White-throated Sparrow - 9
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Indigo Bunting - 2
American Goldfinch - 33 (plus 13 recaptured, 2 released unbanded)
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