Bird Banding Blog

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All banding, marking, and sampling is conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab (BBL).
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Belle Isle Bird Banding - April 2026 

A crew of 7 volunteers got the net poles set up on March 21st. The plan for the first week of banding had to be postponed because of rain on the intended banding days, followed by two days with temperatures in the 20s.  The result was that the number of days covered this April was 7 instead of 8. The total number of birds banded this month was 239, which is only 10 less than April of last year. The number of nets in 2025 was 12, which we increased to 16.5 last fall, so the number of net hours per day increased to 99 (44.1 banded per 100 net hrs in 2025, 34.5 in 2026). Despite all the rain in April, the banding area was not as wet as last year. A small vernal pond in one of the trails that had frogs breeding in it last year had none this spring. With the season starting a little later, we missed one over-wintering species, American Tree Sparrow, and banded only a single Dark-eyed Junco. 

 

Thursday, April 9, 2026

The first day of banding was warmer than average for early April, but with windy conditions. Despite rain not being in the forecast, there were three brief bands of light sprinkles, each lasting only a few minutes, that passed through. The total of 40 banded of 19 species was much higher than expected this early in April, especially the number of species. An Eastern Phoebe was a little on the early side for them.

Second-year Eastern Phoebe

The subtle contrast between juvenile and adult type secondary coverts allowed this one to be aged as second-year. 

Second-year Eastern Phoebe

Both species of kinglet were banded today, although the Ruby-crowned was a bit earlier than expected. The fairly worn plumage suggests that this individual might have wintered farther north than normal.

Second-year female Ruby-crowned Kinglet

A Brown Creeper was an expected early migrant, although many do overwinter in our area.

After hatch-year Brown Creeper

After hatch-year Brown Creeper

I think of April as "sparrow month", and 5 species were banded today. The White-throated Sparrows were probably overwintering individuals, as they don't usually start migrating into Michigan until after mid-April.

After hatch-year White-throated Sparrow

The two Fox Sparrows were an expected early migrant.

After hatch-year Fox Sparrow

The Field Sparrow is also an early migrant, but is typically fairly scarce at banding stations in woodlands. 

After hatch-year Field Sparrow

Small numbers of Northern Flickers overwinter in southeastern Michigan, but there had clearly been an early influx of them, and we banded 3 today.

Second-year male Northern Flicker

The biggest surprise today was an after second-year male Rusty Blackbird, which was only the 16th one I've ever banded in my life.

After second-year male Rusty Blackbird

After second-year male Rusty Blackbird

After second-year male Rusty Blackbird

The relatively warm temperatures today brought out this Butler's Garter Snake, a fairly range-restricted species that seems to be common on Belle Isle.

Butler's Garter Snake (Thamnophis butleri)

Banding Results for April 9, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:45 - 12:45 (99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 51-64
Cloud Cover: 80-100%
Wind Direction: S-SW
Wind Speed: 7-10-15 mph
Barometer: 30.13 - 30.14
Precipitation: Intermittent Light Rain
Sunrise: 7:01

Northern Flicker - 3
Eastern Phoebe - 1
[Black-capped Chickadee - 2 recaptured]
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Brown Creeper - 1
Winter Wren - 1
European Starling - 1
Hermit Thrush - 7
American Robin - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 1
Field Sparrow - 1
Fox Sparrow - 2
White-throated Sparrow - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)
Song Sparrow - 6 (plus 3 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 2
Red-winged Blackbird - 1
Rusty Blackbird - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1

No. of species captured: 19
No. of individuals banded: 40
No. recaptured: 7
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 47.5 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 752,900

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Shelly Andrews, Mike Charlebois, Marilynn Crowley, Jacob Pitcher, Joshua Samuels.
Visitors: 1
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Saturday, April 11, 2026 

Temperatures were more normal today, with little wind but clearing skies lit up the nets eventually. It was another surprisingly diverse day, with 20 species and 50 individuals banded. Hermit Thrushes were the dominant species captured today, with 12. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher today was a bit on the early side.  The black eyebrow indicated that this was a male.

After hatch-year male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Carolina Wrens are year-round residents on Belle Isle, and can have fairly large territories so are not often captured. 

After hatch-year Carolina Wren

Eastern Towhees only rarely overwinter, with Belle Isle a good place to see them. But they are also an early migrant, which is likely the case with this female.

After hatch-year female Eastern Towhee

After hatch-year female Eastern Towhee

The two Yellow-rumped Warblers banded today may have been the earliest I've ever banded anywhere.

Second-year male Yellow-rumped Warbler

Belle Isle is a good place to see overwintering and migrant Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Today's female (note her white throat) was only the 16th I've ever banded, but hopefully we'll band them every year in the future here.

After second-year female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Banding Results for April 11, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:30 (99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 39-48
Cloud Cover: 100-0%
Wind Direction: NE-SE
Wind Speed: 3-5-7 mph
Barometer: 30.42 - 30.46
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 6:57

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
[Northern Flicker - 1 released unbanded]
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Brown Creeper - 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1
Carolina Wren - 1
Hermit Thrush - 12 (plus 1 recaptured)
American Robin - 1 (plus 2 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
American Goldfinch - 5
Fox Sparrow - 3
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
White-throated Sparrow - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)
Song Sparrow - 2 (plus 2 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 4 (plus 1 recaptured)
Eastern Towhee - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
Northern Cardinal - 1

No. of species captured: 20
No. of individuals banded: 50
No. recaptured: 8
No. released unbanded: 2
Capture Rate: 60.6 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 400

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Laura Besler, Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Grace Goetting, Pierre Hendricks, Marissa Jardine, Kathy McDonald, Lily Pagac, Erika VanKirk
Visitors: 4
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Friday, April 17, 2026 

Today was warmer than average, which also brought us fog for most of the morning. It was another fairly productive and diverse day, with 42 individuals of 15 species banded. We had our first Tree Swallow of the season, which normally forage well above the height of our nets. Thanks to the fog, they were foraging lower. It was also a great day for Brown Thrashers, with 3 banded today.

Second-year Brown Thrasher

Because we caught two on one net run, we could compare their eye colors. Hatch-years have "dull yellow" eyes, and after hatch-years have "lemon yellow".  That probably works best in fall, as the rate of eye color change can be variable. The two in the photo below could actually be the same age (second-year), but the more orange-eyed one I feel confident calling a second year, while the other is best left as the less-specific age of after hatch-year.

Second year (left) and after hatch-year Brown Thrashers

Second-year Brown Thrasher

White-throated Sparrows have started to migrate, as evidenced by the number banded today, as well as the obvious difference between those in active body feather molt (likely winter residents) and those in pristine plumage (migrants from farther south that molted before migrating).

  

Banding Results for April 17, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:30 (99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 53-65
Cloud Cover: 100-20-90%
Wind Direction: Calm-S
Wind Speed: 0-5-7 mph
Barometer: 29.97 - 30.02
Precipitation: Fog until 11 a.m.
Sunrise: 6:47

Northern Flicker - 1
Blue Jay - 3
[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]
Tree Swallow - 1
European Starling - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Brown Thrasher - 3
Hermit Thrush - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)
American Robin - 2
American Goldfinch - 1
White-throated Sparrow - 10 (plus 2 recaptured)
Song Sparrow - 2 (plus 1 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
Swamp Sparrow - 5 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Red-winged Blackbird - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1
Northern Cardinal - 2

No. of species captured: 15
No. of individuals banded: 42
No. recaptured: 7
No. released unbanded: 2
Capture Rate: 51.5 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 8100

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Luke Grange, Jacob Pitcher, Erika VanKirk, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 2
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Sunday, April 19, 2026 

It was cooler than normal today, with winds giving us a wind chill. And then, for a couple minutes, we had snow! Species diversity and numbers were lower today, but we managed to show a few banded birds to two different groups that the nature center staff brought by. The only photo highlight of the day was a Blue-headed Vireo, which was the earliest in the spring that I've ever banded one.

After hatch-year Blue-headed Vireo

After hatch-year Blue-headed Vireo

White-throated Sparrows were the bird of the day, with 14 banded. Two more Brown Thrashers brought the season total to 5.

 

Banding Results for April 19, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:30 (99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 41-47
Cloud Cover: 60-10-80%
Wind Direction: W
Wind Speed: 7-10-15 mph
Barometer: 30.06 - 30.07
Precipitation: Trace of snow
Sunrise: 6:44

Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 1
Brown Thrasher - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
Hermit Thrush - 6
American Robin - 1
American Goldfinch - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 14 (plus 3 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
[Song Sparrow - 1 recaptured]
Swamp Sparrow - 4 (plus 2 recaptured)
Red-winged Blackbird - 5
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1

No. of species captured: 11
No. of individuals banded: 38
No. recaptured: 8
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 47.5 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 100

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Cass Arsenault, Lauri Besler, Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Wren Haynes, Brianna Heflin, Guy Lenk, Nolan Lenk, Newt Weheeler, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 26
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Thursday, April 23, 2026

The temperatures swung back to above normal today, but migration seems slow and the diversity and number banded was the lowest so far this month. A White-tailed Deer tore a big hole in one of the nets today. Two more Tree Swallows were banded today, but the clear highlight was the second-year female Sharp-shinned Hawk. 

Second-year female Sharp-shinned Hawk

She was basically in her first plumage, with brown upperparts and streaked underparts. Some second-year birds will molt more grayish flight and back feathers, but some will not. Measurements determined her sex, as females are larger than males with no overlap. And she was too small to be a male Cooper's.

Second-year female Sharp-shinned Hawk

Second-year female Sharp-shinned Hawk

Red-winged Blackbird topped the list of most banded today, with only 6. 

 

Banding Results for April 23, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:30 (99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 49-67
Cloud Cover: 0-20%
Wind Direction: NE-SE
Wind Speed: 1-3-5 mph
Barometer: 30.00 - 29.94
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 6:38

Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
Northern Flicker - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Blue Jay - 1
Tree Swallow - 2
[Hermit Thrush - 1 recaptured]
American Robin - 1
American Goldfinch - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)
Song Sparrow - 1
Swamp Sparrow - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 6 (plus 1 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

No. of species captured: 12
No. of individuals banded: 20
No. recaptured: 7
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 28.3 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 156,500

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Mike Charlebois, Marissa Jardine, Kathy McDonald, Jasper Myles, Jacob Pitcher, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 5
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Sunday, April 26, 2026

Today was about 10 degrees below normal, with lower numbers banded once again. Today's highlights included two firsts for the season, a Northern House Wren and two Palm Warblers.

After hatch-year Northern House Wren

It can be difficult to determine the sex of Palm Warblers, but I feel fairly confident that those with extensive rufous caps (measured) are males. This one had a cap extending for 16mm.

After hatch-year male Palm Warbler

White-throated Sparrows led the totals today with 14.

 

Banding Results for April 26, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:15 - 12:15 (99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 44-57
Cloud Cover: 20-60%
Wind Direction: N-E
Wind Speed: 1-3-7 mph
Barometer: 30.08 - 30.16
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 6:33

Northern House Wren - 1
American Robin - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 5
White-throated Sparrow - 14 (plus 2 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 5
Red-winged Blackbird - 6 (plus 1 recaptured)
Palm Warbler - 2

No. of species captured: 7
No. of individuals banded: 36
No. recaptured: 5
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 41.4 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 400

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Wren Haynes, Guy Lenk, Nolan Lenk, Jacob Pitcher, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 8
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Thursday, April 30, 2026 

Our final banding day of the month was below normal in temperature, and was also the slowest banding day for numbers and diversity. The species with the most banded was White-throated Sparrow with 5, followed by Ruby-crowned Kinglet with 3. There are no photo highlights from today. Another White-tailed Deer put a hole in another net, the second one this spring.

 

Banding Results for April 30, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:15 - 12:15 (99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 43-53
Cloud Cover: 100-90%
Wind Direction: NW-WNW
Wind Speed: 3-5-10 mph
Barometer: 29.93 - 29.96
Precipitation: Trace of rain
Sunrise: 6:28

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3
[Northern House Wren - 1 recaptured]
Hermit Thrush - 1
American Robin - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 5
Swamp Sparrow - 1
[Red-winged Blackbird - 1 recaptured]
[Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 recaptured]
Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

No. of species captured: 9
No. of individuals banded: 13
No. recaptured: 5
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 18.2 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 0

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Mike Charlebois, Dick Filby, Marissa Jardine, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Dave Lancaster, Jasper Myles, Jacob Pitcher, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 0
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