Bird Banding Blog

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click here to visit archives of Bird Banding Blogs from previous years.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Belle Isle Bird Banding - October 2026 

Most of the rain, and the only normal temperatures for the month of October occurred in the first week. The remainder of the month was dry and warm with temperatures 10-15 degrees above average. Good numbers of migrants moved through during the first 3 weeks, with quite low numbers the last week. Audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls was conducted every morning starting on 4 October with nets open by 5:30 (E.S.T.) and the audio lures turned off by 7:00 or 7:30 as sunrise occurred later. Banding was conducted on 10 days this month, which is more than the standard 8, mainly due to the configuration of the calendar this year. No weather events caused the effort on any days to be shortened. Two nets were swapped from 12-meter to 18-meter to cover additional habitat, bringing the total to 17.5 nets. I continued to keep track of the BirdCast totals for the night before banding over Wayne County, but it is becoming increasingly clear that those numbers won't predict how many birds will be in the area the following morning. More important is when the birds are peaking, and very often that is around midnight. So most migrants bypass our area on most nights.

 

Thursday, October 1, 2026 

Light rain stopped as we were opening the nets, and warm temperatures made for a pleasant day. Unfortunately, the southwest winds overnight resulted in no migrants over Wayne County. A good mixture of thrushes and warblers continued, although there will soon be more sparrows and fewer warblers. The Blackburnian Warbler was a surprise, as they are mainly an early migrant.

Hatch-year male Blackburnian Warbler

We also had the first Brown Creeper of the season today, a later migrant that almost never overlaps in timing with Blackburnian Warbler.

Hatch-year Brown Creeper

Hatch-year Brown Creeper

An interesting caterpillar in the parking lot was identified as a Large Yellow Underwing moth. 

Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)

Banding Results for October 1, 2026

17.5 nets open 7:00 - 13:00 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 65-73
Cloud Cover: 100%
Wind Direction: SW-SSW
Wind Speed: 1-3-7 mph
Barometer: 29.89- 29.87
Precipitation: Trace of rain
Sunrise: 7:29

[Northern Flicker - 1 released unbanded]
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 2
Brown Creeper - 1
Winter Wren - 2
Gray Catbird - 2
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 2
Swainson's Thrush - 5
Hermit Thrush - 1
American Robin - 1
White-throated Sparrow - 1
[Song Sparrow - 1 released unbanded]
Ovenbird - 1
Bay-breasted Warbler - 5
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 8

No. of species captured: 17
No. of individuals banded: 35
No. recaptured: 0
No. released unbanded: 2
Capture Rate: 35.2 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 0

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Mike Charlebois, Pierre Hendricks, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Dave Lancaster, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 3
--------------------------------------------

 

Sunday, October 4, 2026  

The forecast for today was for some fairly minor rain showers to move through north of our location. But we ended up with a few brief sprinkles off-and-on until mid-morning. After they ended, we saw these interesting Mammatus clouds, followed an hour later by a double rainbow.

The temperature started in the normal range, but rose more than 20 degrees by mid-day. Today we had the highest number banded so far, and good species diversity. The clear highlight was the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, which was a first on Belle Isle, somewhat late, and only the 3rd I've personally banded.

Hatch-year Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Hatch-year Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Hatch-year Yellow-billed Cuckoo

There were a few warbler highlights today, including a somewhat late Ovenbird, the 20th of the season.

Hatch-year Ovenbird

The first Orange-crowned Warbler of the season was more expected.

Hatch-year male Orange-crowned Warbler

Hatch-year male Orange-crowned Warbler

The Black-throated Blue Warbler today was only the 4th of the season, and not particularly late, but was the first male which is always a delight to band.

Hatch-year male Black-throated Blue Warbler

Today's Indigo Bunting was somewhat late, and the 6th of the season.

Hatch-year female Indigo Bunting

With Wren Haynes volunteering today, she of course found something interesting; a Dekay's (Northern) Brown Snake.

Dekay's (Northern) Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi)

Hermit Thrushes took over from Swainson's as the most numerous thrush species banded, and it was clearly the peak of White-throated Sparrow migration. Another Black-throated Green Warbler was welcome, and the 6 Winter Wrens was a good number.

 

Banding Results for October 4, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:00 (9.75 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:00 - 13:00 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 49-71
Cloud Cover: 70-100-0%
Wind Direction: Calm-SW
Wind Speed: 0-3-5 mph
Barometer: 30.16- 30.06
Precipitation: Intermittent light rain
Sunrise: 7:32

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Blue Jay - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 11
Northern House Wren - 1
Winter Wren - 6
Gray Catbird - 4
Swainson's Thrush - 1 (plus 2 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
Hermit Thrush - 13
White-throated Sparrow - 29 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Song Sparrow - 6
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
Swamp Sparrow - 5
Ovenbird - 1
Orange-crowned Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Blackpoll Warbler - 4
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1
Indigo Bunting - 1

No. of species captured: 21
No. of individuals banded: 94
No. recaptured: 3
No. released unbanded: 2
Capture Rate: 94.3 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 24,700

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Wren Haynes, Pierre Hendricks, Marissa Jardine, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 8
--------------------------------------------

 

Thursday, October 8, 2026  

Despite the warmer than average temperatures today, the winds overnight brought another good batch of migrants in with good numbers and diversity banded. Although not the first of the season, the 3 Eastern Phoebes today was a good number.

Hatch-year Eastern Phoebe

This one was particularly easy to age, based on the contrast between the different colors of the tips of the greater secondary coverts (the wing bar) as well as shape differences, that can be seen well in the photo below.

Hatch-year Eastern Phoebe

Not only are Brown Thrashers scarce in the nets in fall, but the one today was a bit on the late side.

Hatch-year Brown Thrasher

They can be aged by eye color, with hatch-years having dull yellow eyes and after hatch-years having lemon yellow.

Hatch-year Brown Thrasher

It was an interesting day for warblers as well, with 6 species banded. The first Yellow-rumped Warblers of the fall came in strong with 5 banded today.

Hatch-year female Yellow-rumped Warbler

There was a good influx of kinglets today, dominated by Ruby-crowned. 

 

Banding Results for October 8, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:00 (9.75 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:00 - 13:00 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 55-69
Cloud Cover: 10-40%
Wind Direction: W-NW
Wind Speed: 3-5-12 mph
Barometer: 29.88 - 29.98
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:37

Eastern Phoebe - 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 14
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 6
[Northern House Wren - 1 recaptured]
Winter Wren - 1 (plus 1 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
[Gray Catbird - 1 recaptured]
Brown Thrasher - 1
Hermit Thrush - 17 (plus 2 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 21 (plus 1 recaprtured, 2 released unbanded)
Song Sparrow - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Lincoln's Sparrow - 2
Swamp Sparrow - 3
Nashville Warbler - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 7
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 5
[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]
Indigo Bunting - 1

No. of species captured: 20
No. of individuals banded: 89
No. recaptured: 8
No. released unbanded: 3
Capture Rate: 95.2 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 321,200

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Mike Charlebois, Pierre Hendricks, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Dave Lancaster, Blanche Wicke, Sue Wright.
Visitors: 28
--------------------------------------------

 

Saturday, October 10, 2026   

It was another busy day, but with few photo highlights. There was good species diversity, but 2/3 of the birds banded today were of just two species; Hermit Thrush and White-throated Sparrow. A Philadelphia Vireo today was a bit late, and the 11th of the season.

Hatch-year Philadelphia Vireo

Another vireo today was a season highlight, only the second White-eyed Vireo banded on Belle Isle (the first was in fall of 2025).

Hatch-year White-eyed Vireo

The eyes of hatch-years is more grayish than whitish.

Hatch-year White-eyed Vireo

It was another good day for warblers, considering the date, with 5 species captured.  

 

Banding Results for October 10, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:00 (9.75 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:00 - 13:00 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 57-73
Cloud Cover: 80-100%
Wind Direction: E-SE
Wind Speed: 3-5-7 mph
Barometer: 30.23 - 30.18
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:39

Downy Woodpecker - 1
White-eyed Vireo - 1
Philadelphia Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 2
Black-capped Chickadee - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Winter Wren - 3
Gray Catbird - 1
[Brown Thrasher - 1 recaptured]
Hermit Thrush - 25 (plus 13 recaptured, 2 released unbanded)
White-throated Sparrow - 35 (plus 2 recaptured)
Song Sparrow - 5
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 2
Nashville Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 1
[Magnolia Warbler - 1 recaptured]
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]

No. of species captured: 21
No. of individuals banded: 90
No. recaptured: 18
No. released unbanded: 3
Capture Rate: 105.7 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 5,700

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Rebekah Graham, Pierre Hendricks, Guy Lenk, Nolan Lenk, Lily Pagac, Jessica Schwarz, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 12
--------------------------------------------

 

Thursday, October 15, 2026    

It was a bit cooler today, but with increasing easterly winds. But it was another good day for individuals and species diversity. The overnight migration over Wayne County was more than a million birds according to BirdCast! Another White-eyed Vireo was surely a highlight of the day.

Hatch-year White-eyed Vireo

Although it is a non-migratory breeding species, the Tufted Titmouse makes the list of highlights today because we don't catch very many of them. They used to be quite common, but numbers have been reduced since 2003 when they were hit hard when West Nile Virus first arrived in the Great Lakes.

Hatch-year Tufted Titmouse

Hatch-year Tufted Titmouse

Two Northern House Wren were a bit on the late side!

Hatch-year Northern House Wren

Another late bird was a surprise Swainson's Thrush among all the Hermit Thrushes that typically dominate the month of October. 

Hatch-year Swainson's Thrush

The first Dark-eyed Juncos (2) of the season were banded today, just about on schedule for their normal arrival.

Hatch-year female Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco

Hatch-year female Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco

Warblers are definitely on the wane, with only two species banded today. A Blue-headed Vireo might have made the photo highlights if we hadn't caught a second White-eyed!

 

Banding Results for October 15, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:15 (11.375 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:15 - 13:15 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 56-59
Cloud Cover: 100-95%
Wind Direction: ENE-E
Wind Speed: 7-10-12 mph
Barometer: 30.21 - 30.10
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:45

Downy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
White-eyed Vireo - 1
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
[Black-capped Chickadee - 3 recaptured]
Tufted Titmouse - 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 9
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 4
Brown Creeper - 2
Northern House Wren - 2
Winter Wren - 2 (plus 1 released unbanded)
[Gray Catbird - 1 recaptured]
Swainson's Thrush - 1
Hermit Thrush - 19 (plus 1 recaptured)
Dark-eyed Junco - 2
White-throated Sparrow - 22
Song Sparrow - 3
Swamp Sparrow - 4
[Eastern Towhee - 1 released unbanded]
Nashville Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
Northern Cardinal - 2

No. of species captured: 21
No. of individuals banded: 79
No. recaptured: 6
No. released unbanded: 2
Capture Rate: 82.9 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 1,032,800

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Shelly Andrews, Mike Charlebois, Pierre Hendricks, Dave Lancaster, Zeke Stark, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 24
--------------------------------------------

 

Saturday, October 17, 2026  

It was a chilly day, especially after all the warm days so far, with temperatures right around average for this time of year. A good migration over night did not bring a lot of birds into the banding area. There was nothing new for the year, so no photo highlights today, but yet another late Swainson's Thrush was notable. The Northern House Wren and Blackpoll Warbler were also late.

 

Banding Results for October 17, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:15 (11.375 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:15 - 13:15 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 42-51
Cloud Cover: 20-0%
Wind Direction: NW
Wind Speed: 7-10-5 mph
Barometer: 30.34 - 30.45
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:47

Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Northern House Wren - 1
Winter Wren - 1
Gray Catbird - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 1
Hermit Thrush - 9 (plus 4 recaptured)
American Robin - 1
White-throated Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 5
Swamp Sparrow - 1
Nashville Warbler - 2
Blackpoll Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1

No. of species captured: 13
No. of individuals banded: 27
No. recaptured: 4
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 29.5 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 440,700

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Wren Haynes, Pierre Hendricks, Jasper Myles, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 1 (my 6th grade teacher)
--------------------------------------------

 

Friday, October 23, 2026  

It was back to warmer than average today, and still no rain although the dense and lingering fog provided plenty of moisture. The photo below shows the sun in fog at 9:30.

Our numbers and species diversity ticked up from last week, and we had our first Fox Sparrows of the season today.

Hatch-year Fox Sparrow

Hatch-year Fox Sparrow

Blue Jays don't normally make the photo highlights, but this one (the 6th of the season) was special because it was the 1000th bird banded this fall.

After hatch-year Blue Jay

After hatch-year Blue Jay

Another Blue-headed Vireo was notable, and late, as was a Nashville Warbler.

 

Banding Results for October 23, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:30 (13.0 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:30 - 13:30 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 52-62
Cloud Cover: 100-0-20%
Wind Direction: N-E
Wind Speed: 1-3-7 mph
Barometer: 30.32 - 30.37
Precipitation: Fog most of the morning
Sunrise: 7:54

Downy Woodpecker - 2
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 1
Black-capped Chickadee - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 6 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Winter Wren - 2
Hermit Thrush - 23 (plus 1 recaptured)
Fox Sparrow - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 2
White-throated Sparrow - 5
Song Sparrow - 3
Swamp Sparrow - 3
Nashville Warbler - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

No. of species captured: 15
No. of individuals banded: 57
No. recaptured: 3
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 58.1 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 345,200

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Shelly Andrews, Alexa Blankenship, Erika VanKirk, Newt Wheeler, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 1
--------------------------------------------

 

Sunday, October 25, 2026   

A chilly morning with cloud cover and calm winds looked promising for owl banding. The moon-set was quite nice, photographed here at around 6:45, well before dawn.

All the mornings this month of getting to the park at 5 a.m., and getting owl nets and audio-lures up and going by 5:30, finally paid off with this feisty hatch-year female Northern Saw-whet Owl. This is the 3rd fall season in a row with one of these tiny owls.

Hatch-year female Northern Saw-whet Owl

I am always careful to photograph them only using my headlamp for light, and aiming it well away from the bird. The large pupils confirms that the bird is not being blinded by any lighting.

Hatch-year female Northern Saw-whet Owl

These owls are aged by the state of their molt, and sexed by a combination of wing length and weight. She was a big female by both of these metrics.

 

Before the sun came up, the fog rolled in and it was interesting walking the trails to check the nets. This photo was taken at 10:30.

The owl was the only bird photo highlight from today, and the rest of the birds banded were the expected species but in lower numbers than recently. A new species for me, which I'd hoped never to see, was this Spotted Lanternfly near one of the nets. It is a new invasive species, originating in Asia, and tied to an invasive tree (brought here long ago), the Tree of Heaven, also from Asia.

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycoma deliculata)

This species was not detected on Belle Isle until September of 2026, and this is the second one in our banding area this month.

 

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycoma deliculata)

Hermit Thrushes continued to dominate the captures today, but two more Fox Sparrows were nice to see. 

 

Banding Results for October 25, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:30 (13.0 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:30 - 13:30 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 45-66
Cloud Cover: 70-100-80%
Wind Direction: Calm-SW
Wind Speed: 0-5-7 mph
Barometer: 30.45 - 30.42
Precipitation: Fog most of the morning
Sunrise: 7:56

Northern Saw-whet Owl - 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 4
Winter Wren - 1
Hermit Thrush - 12 (plus 5 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
Fox Sparrow - 2
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
White-throated Sparrow - 4
Song Sparrow - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

No. of species captured: 9
No. of individuals banded: 27
No. recaptured: 6
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 32.4 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 2,200

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Skyler Babbitt, Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Wren Haynes, Jessica Schwarz, Newt Wheeler, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 2
--------------------------------------------

 

Thursday, October 29, 2026  

This entire week was much warmer than average (temperatures in the 70s are almost unheard of this time of year), and the number of birds banded took a steep dive as did species diversity. We at least had a partial rainbow early in the morning, and luckily no rain fell on us.

Only expected bird species were captured today, so no bird photo highlights. A medium-sized Common Snapping Turtle in the trail in the woods would be odd, if we hadn't found a hatchling almost exactly here last year, and a larger one fairly close to this spot.

Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

This photo of volunteer Dave Lancaster shows what we spent most of the day doing; removing hundreds of leaves from the nets every net check.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banding Results for October 29, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:30 (13.0 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:30 - 13:30 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 53-73
Cloud Cover: 30-60%
Wind Direction: SSW-SW
Wind Speed: 1-3-10 mph
Barometer: 30.12 - 30.00
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 8:01

[Downy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1
Winter Wren - 1
Hermit Thrush - 6 (plus 3 recaptured]
[Fox Sparrow - 1 recaptured]

No. of species captured: 5
No. of individuals banded: 8
No. recaptured: 5
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 12.4 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 200

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Shelly Andrews, Pierre Hendricks, Dave Lancaster, Jasper Myles, Newt Wheeler, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 5
--------------------------------------------

 

Saturday, October 31, 2026   

A chilly start, but temperatures still rose above average although not as much as in the past few days. Unfortunately, the month of October ended with a whimper not a bang, with low numbers and species diversity today. The only photo highlight is of the first American Tree Sparrow of the season, which is a bit later arriving than expected.  

After hatch-year American Tree Sparrow

The two-toned black-and-yellow bill is the best way to confirm an identification of this species. 

After hatch-year American Tree Sparrow

Lily and I (mostly Lily) spent part of the morning tracking down and mapping the Trees of Heaven in and near the banding area, with the hope that the Michigan DNR can remove them and possibly stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, as well as the tree itself. Near the Nature Center, we encountered a lanternfly trap that a researcher had placed, and which has had some success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banding Results for October 31, 2026

6.5 nets open 5:30 - 7:30 (13.0 net hrs) audio-luring for Northern Saw-whet Owls
17.5 nets open 7:30 - 13:30 (6.0 hrs, 105.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 41-59
Cloud Cover: 100-70%
Wind Direction: Calm-SE
Wind Speed: 0-3-5 mph
Barometer: 30.35 - 30.44
Precipitation: Trace of rain
Sunrise: 8:04

Hermit Thrush - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
American Robin - 1
American Tree Sparrow - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 2
Song Sparrow - 6 (plus 1 released unbanded)

No. of species captured: 5
No. of individuals banded: 13
No. recaptured: 1
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 14.3 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 108,500

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Skyler Babbitt, Mike Charlebois, Rebekah Graham, Pierre Hendricks, Lily Pagac, Erika VanKirk, Newt Wheeler, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 4
--------------------------------------------

Belle Isle Bird Banding - September 2026 

The weather during September was more active and variable, with some challenges in scheduling banding days to avoid rain and wind. But we did manage to band on the maximum of 8 days. Nets were closed early due to rain on the first day of banding this month, which was only the beginning of the weather issues that day. Numbers and species diversity increased this month, including more than twice as many warblers as were banded in September last year.

 

Thursday, September 3, 2026 

I have been looking at BirdCast Migration Dashboard for Wayne County to see how many birds migrated the previous night, with the thought that there might be some correlation with how many birds we catch.  There is a lot of information on this site, and it is about more than just the numbers. Large numbers can fly over the county and not drop in just before sunrise. This graph from September 1st shows what this looks like.

The graph for the night of September 2-3 was more promising, lots of birds dropping in ahead of sunrise.

It was a good day for flycatchers, with the 9 Least Flycatchers a good number for a single day. There was also a good influx of Swainson's Thrushes, which was one of the top three species banded last fall. Among the 16 warblers of 7 species banded today was the first Black-and-white Warbler of the season.

Hatch-year male Black-and-white Warbler

Young of both sexes have white throats, but hatch-year females have black flank streaks with a buffy wash, while males have clean black and white flank streaks.

 

Hatch-year male Black-and-white Warbler

One of the two Mourning Warblers banded today was an adult male, which was unexpected as the majority of birds captured in mist nets in fall along the Great Lakes tends to be hatch-year birds. 

 

After hatch-year male Mourning Warbler

The extensive black bib is indicative of an adult male, and is absent in females and even some young males will only have one or two black feathers.  

 

After the banding station was closed, I did a drive around the perimeter of Belle Isle, which I often do to see what other birds are around. I got a photo of this wall of clouds at around 2 p.m., which may have been a precursor to the tornado that hit Belle Isle around 4 p.m., a first ever to hit the island (and adjacent parts of the City of Detroit).

 

Banding Results for September 3, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:45 - 11:15 (4.5 hrs, 74.25 net hrs) - closed early due to rain
Temperature: 71-82
Cloud Cover: 20-100%
Wind Direction: Calm-WNW
Wind Speed: 0-5-7 mph
Barometer: 29.91- 29.92
Precipitation: Rain at early close
Sunrise: 6:59

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3
Willow Flycatcher - 2
"Traill's" Flycatcher - 1
Least Flycatcher - 9
Northern House Wren - 5
Gray Catbird - 1
Veery - 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 15
Red-winged Blackbird - 1 (plus 3 released unbanded)
Ovenbird - 4
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
Mourning Warbler - 2
Nashville Warbler - 5
American Redstart - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Wilson's Warbler - 1

No. of species captured: 16
No. of individuals banded: 55
No. recaptured: 0
No. released unbanded: 3
Capture Rate: 78.1 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 656,300

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Mike Charlebois, Luke Grange, Marissa Jardine, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Jessica Schwarz, Newt Wheeler, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 0
--------------------------------------------

 

Sunday, September 6, 2026 

We were relieved to see that there was no damage in the banding area from the tornado. Two nets were opened early this morning to audio-lure for Eastern Screech-Owls, which had been calling while opening nets all during August. This succeeded in drawing a couple of owls near the lure, but they were apparently just interested in having a conversation rather than a confrontation, so none were captured. Lots of migrants flew over last night, but only modest numbers dropped in before sunrise. One highlight today was a molting hatch-year Wood Thrush which could have been the offspring of the pair in breeding condition banded at the end of May.

 

Hatch-year Wood Thrush

Hatch-year Wood Thrush

The first Lincoln's Sparrow of the year was banded today.

Hatch-year Lincoln's Sparrow

Hatch-year Lincoln's Sparrow

Among the 15 warblers of 6 species banded today was the first Black-throated Green Warbler of the season. 

 

Hatch-year male Black-throated Green Warbler

The pattern on the median wing coverts and the small amount of black on the lower throat indicated that this was a male. Wren found this small American Bullfrog on the margins of the nearby Lake Muskoday which is adjacent to the banding area.

 

American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

An Eastern Wood-Pewee was the first of the season, and could have fledged locally.

 

Banding Results for September 6, 2026

2.0 nets open 5:30 - 6:30 (1.0 hrs, 2.0 net hrs) - audio luring for EASO
16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:30 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 62-75
Cloud Cover: 10-40%
Wind Direction: N-NE
Wind Speed: 1-3-10 mph
Barometer: 30.03- 30.07
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:02

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 1
Northern House Wren - 4
Gray Catbird - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Veery - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 9
Wood Thrush - 1
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
Ovenbird - 4 (plus 1 recaptured)
Nashville Warbler - 3
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 1 (plus 2 released unbanded)
Bay-breasted Warbler - 4
Black-throated Green Warbler - 1

No. of species captured: 15
No. of individuals banded: 38
No. recaptured: 2
No. released unbanded: 2
Capture Rate: 42.4 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 1,154,900

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Wren Haynes, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Jasper Myles, Lily Pagac, Newt Wheeler, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 16
--------------------------------------------

 

Friday, September 11, 2026  

The pre-dawn hours today saw two mammal highlights. This young Virginia Opossum was right along the trail as I walked back to start opening the nets.  

 

Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginianus)

Then, on the first net run, just at sunrise, we had a Silver-haired Bat in the net. 

 

Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)

Bat researchers use gloves to handle them properly for tagging, but bird banders don't generally ever use gloves for birds. So, Alexa and I worked to carefully get him out of the net without risking getting bitten ourselves. Alexa is holding it the safest way possible, without gloves.

 

Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)

Another surprise, later in the day, was a large immature female Cooper's Hawk.

Hatch-year female Cooper's Hawk

Hatch-year female Cooper's Hawk

This was the 4th Cooper's Hawk captured at this site since October 2024, which is more than expected.

 

Hatch-year female Cooper's Hawk

The first Blackpoll Warblers of the fall were banded today, including this adult male. It was aged based on a completely ossified skull, and the shapes of the primary coverts and tail feathers. A few tiny black feathers on the forehead allowed it to be sexed as male.

 

 

Possibly the most unexpected capture today was a very early Hermit Thrush, which was not photographed because it was in heavy molt and not particularly photogenic. It was a hatch-year bird. Early migrants of this species in years past have almost always been actively molting hatch-years. Typically, the first Hermit Thrushes arrive at the very end of September.

 

Banding Results for September 11, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:30 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 61-73
Cloud Cover: 0-40-20%
Wind Direction: Calm-N-NE
Wind Speed: 0-5-7 mph
Barometer: 30.03- 30.04
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:07

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 2
Red-eyed Vireo - 2
Black-capped Chickadee - 1
Northern House Wren - 2 (plus 3 recaptured)
Gray Catbird - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1
Swainson's Thrush - 12
Hermit Thrush - 1
American Robin - 1
Song Sparrow - 2
Ovenbird - 1
Nashville Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Blackpoll Warbler - 3
Wilson's Warbler - 1
Indigo Bunting - 1

No. of species captured: 19
No. of individuals banded: 41
No. recaptured: 4
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 45.5 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 1,438,600

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Alexa Blankenship, Marilynn Crowley, Rebekah Graham, Pierre Hendricks, Marissa Jardine, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Erika VanKirk, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 3
--------------------------------------------

 

Sunday, September 13, 2026  

Conditions were rather summery today. The day started with a nice sunrise. 

 

The only photo highlight of the day was the season's first Philadelphia Vireo.

Hatch-year Philadelphia Vireo

Banding Results for September 13, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:30 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 70-80
Cloud Cover: 70-20-80%
Wind Direction: W-S-W
Wind Speed: 1-3-7 mph
Barometer: 29.89- 29.92
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:10

Downy Woodpecker - 1
Philadelphia Vireo - 1
Northern House Wren - 1 (plus 2 recaptured)
Gray Catbird - 4
Veery - 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 2
Swainson's Thrush - 12 (plus 1 recaptured)
Ovenbird - 1
[Tennessee Warbler - 1 released unbanded]
Common Yellowthroat - 2
American Redstart - 3
Magnolia Warbler - 1
Bay-breasted Warbler - 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 5
Northern Cardinal - 1
Indigo Bunting - 1

No. of species captured: 17
No. of individuals banded: 39
No. recaptured: 3
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 43.4 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 231,900

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Skyler Babbitt, Alexa Blankenship, Pierre Hendricks, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Jasper Myles, Lily Pagac, Skyler Principe, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 6
--------------------------------------------

 

Friday, September 18, 2026  

Today was the first day of the season with a starting temperature below 60 degrees, but just barely. Numbers and species diversity was the highest of the season so far. The tally board below shows the species captured on the first net run alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a busy day, so not too many photos were taken of highlights. Philadelphia Vireos are fairly scarce, so it was nice to capture 3 of them today.

 

Hatch-year Philadelphia Vireo

Two Black-throated Green Warblers were also welcome, as they too are fairly scarce low enough to the ground to be captured by mist nets.

 

Hatch-year male Black-throated Green Warbler

Perhaps a bit more unusual was another Mourning Warbler, which was somewhat late for this early migrant.

Hatch-year female Mourning Warbler

Hatch-year female Mourning Warbler

It was also a good day for thrushes which included four species, and the warbler tally for the day ended up with 31 individuals of 11 species.

 

Banding Results for September 18, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:45 - 12:45 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 59-72
Cloud Cover: 10-30%
Wind Direction: N-NE
Wind Speed: 3-5-7 mph
Barometer: 30.23- 30.25
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:15

[Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 recaptured]
Least Flycatcher - 2
Philadelphia Vireo - 3
Eastern Warbling Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 6
Northern House Wren - 4
Gray Catbird - 6
Veery - 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 6
Swainson's Thrush - 22
American Robin - 1
Lincoln's Sparrow - 2
Swamp Sparrow - 1
Ovenbird - 1
Black-and-white Warbler - 1
Mourning Warbler - 1
Tennessee Warbler - 5
Nashville Warbler - 5
Common Yellowthroat - 3
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Bay-breasted Warbler - 5
Blackpoll Warbler - 5
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Black-throated Green Warbler - 2

No. of species captured: 24
No. of individuals banded: 86
No. recaptured: 1
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 87.9 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 693,500

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Skyler Babbitt, Alexa Blankenship, Rebekah Graham, Pierre Hendricks, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Dave Lancaster, Erika VanKirk, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 5
--------------------------------------------

 

Tuesday, September 22, 2026  

We got rained out on Sunday (20th), but thanks to the flexibility of some volunteers we were able to reschedule to today. On the down side, we discovered that two of the net poles had been removed by vandals, so had to work with one less net open today. It was another good day for numbers and species diversity, and lots of highlights. The day started with a beautiful sunrise.

 

 

A bit of a surprise was the first Eastern Phoebe of the season, which was a bit earlier than expected.

 

Hatch-year Eastern Phoebe

Another first arrival was the always delightful and scare (in mist nets) Blue-headed Vireo.

 

Hatch-year Blue-headed Vireo

Continuing the theme of first arrivals, two Ruby-crowned Kinglets were banded today; the first of many more to come. 

 

Hatch-year female Ruby-crowned Kinglet

There were lots of highlights among the 18 warblers of 9 species banded today. Two more Black-throated Green Warblers included this very photogenic adult male.

After hatch-year male Black-throated Green Warbler

After hatch-year male Black-throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warblers tend to be earlier migrants, as they have a long ways to go to their wintering grounds in the Andes and other parts of South America. So another one today was unexpected. 

 

Hatch-year female Blackburnian Warbler

Northern Parulas tend to be caught in small numbers at almost all banding stations, so it was nice to see our first one of the season (and first for the station) today.

Hatch-year female Northern Parula

Hatch-year female Northern Parula

This Rose-breasted Grosbeak was likely a migrant rather than a locally breeding individual.

 

Hatch-year female Rose-breasted Grosbeak

I'm used to seeing Mourning Cloaks in early spring, so it was a surprise to see this one on the trail today.

 

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

Another Indigo Bunting today was also a highlight. 

 

Banding Results for September 22, 2026

15.5 nets open 6:45 - 12:45 (6.0 hrs, 93.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 54-61
Cloud Cover: 90-80%
Wind Direction: NE-ENE
Wind Speed: 5-7-15 mph
Barometer: 30.24- 30.29
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:19

Northern Flicker - 2 (plus 2 released unbanded)
Least Flycatcher - 2
Eastern Phoebe - 1
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Philadelphia Vireo - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Red-eyed Vireo - 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
[Northern House Wren - 1 released unbanded]
[European Starling - 1 released unbanded]
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 3
Swainson's Thrush - 10
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
Ovenbird - 2
Nashville Warbler - 2 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Common Yellowthroat - 2
Northern Parula - 1
Magnolia Warbler - 4
Bay-breasted Warbler - 2
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 2
Black-throated Green Warbler - 2
Northern Cardinal - 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 1

No. of species captured: 24
No. of individuals banded: 52
No. recaptured: 1
No. released unbanded: 5
Capture Rate: 62.4 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 604,300

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Shelly Andrews, Pierre Hendricks, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 6
--------------------------------------------

 

Thursday, September 24, 2026  

The cooler weather trend continued today, along with good species diversity and higher numbers banded. The first bird of the day, an Eastern Screech-Owl captured while we were still opening nets, was a surprise because we weren't audio-luring for owls. 

After hatch-year Eastern Screech-Owl

After hatch-year Eastern Screech-Owl

Ageing screech-owls can be a little challenging, partly because this was only the 13th one I've ever banded. The flight feathers need to be examined to assess molt. It appears to me that the outermost 6 primaries are newer than the innermost 4. All the secondaries seem to be the same. So my best evaluation is that this is an after hatch-year rather than a hatch-year; I don't think I can be any more precise than this.

 

After hatch-year Eastern Screech-Owl

It was another good day for thrushes, and the first White-throated Sparrow was banded today (many more to come). The 13 Bay-breasted Warblers today was half of all the warblers (7 species) banded! Two more Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were a pleasant surprise, but the Scarlet Tanager was the clear winner of "Bird of the Day" (apologies to owl enthusiasts).

Hatch-year female Scarlet Tanager

Hatch-year female Scarlet Tanager

Hatch-year female Scarlet Tanager

Banding Results for September 24, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:45 - 12:45 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 56-66
Cloud Cover: 0-20-10%
Wind Direction: NE-E
Wind Speed: 3-5-12 mph
Barometer: 30.37- 30.34
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:21

Eastern Screech-Owl - 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 1
Philadelphia Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 6 (plus 1 recaptured)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 6
[Northern House Wren - 1 recaptured]
Gray Catbird - 2
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Swainson's Thrush - 23 (plus 2 recaptured)
White-throated Sparrow - 1
Lincoln's Sparrow - 2
Swamp Sparrow - 1
Ovenbird - 2
Nashville Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 1
American Redstart - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 5
Bay-breasted Warbler - 13 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Black-throated Green Warbler - 2
Scarlet Tanager - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2

No. of species captured: 22
No. of individuals banded: 77
No. recaptured: 6
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 84.8 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 181,500

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Jacob Charlebois, Mike Charlebois, Pierre Hendricks, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Dave Lancaster, Jessica Schwarz, Zeke Stark, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 5
--------------------------------------------

 

Sunday, September 27, 2026  

Lower numbers and diversity today despite the incredible BirdCast data from last night, but still some highlights. It is always a good day when we catch a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

Hatch-year male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Hatch-year male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

The season's first Golden-crowned Kinglet and Winter Wren were right on schedule.

Hatch-year female Golden-crowned Kinglet

Hatch-year Winter Wren

The later the season gets, the happier we are to see colorful species in the nets. Today, that was a hatch-year male Black-throated Blue Warbler. 

 

Hatch-year male Black-throated Blue Warbler

The season's 18th Ovenbird was banded today, with at least one banded on every banding day in the month of September. Amazing consistency. 

 

Banding Results for September 27, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:45 - 12:45 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 54-73
Cloud Cover: 0-10-0%
Wind Direction: N
Wind Speed: 1-3-10 mph
Barometer: 30.07- 30.03
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 7:25

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1
Philadelphia Vireo - 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Winter Wren - 1
Gray Catbird - 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush - 3
Swainson's Thrush - 10
White-throated Sparrow - 4
[Song Sparrow - 1 recaptured]
Swamp Sparrow - 2
Ovenbird - 1
Nashville Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1

No. of species captured: 15
No. of individuals banded: 33
No. recaptured: 1
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 34.3 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 1,158,700

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Mike Charlebois, Wren Haynes, Pierre Hendricks, Marissa Jardine, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Lily Pagac, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 4
--------------------------------------------

 

Belle Isle Bird Banding - August 2026 

The month of August was hot and humid throughout. This resulted in the nets being closed early on 3 of the 8 days we banded. And on the last day of banding this month, we were shut down 4 hours early due to rain moving in earlier and heavier than expected. In addition, we had fog on one morning, and rain at closing time on another day that did not force us to close early (although we did close early that day due to heat). The vegetation had grown up quite a bit over the summer, even with three trips out during June and July to keep the net lanes trimmed and clear. It was much better than last year, which was a very dry season from July through October. The number of birds banded this month was nearly identical to August 2025.

 

Thursday, August 6, 2026 

Our first day of the fall season was hot and humid, but we managed to make it through our standard of 6 hours open before the temperature reached 84 degrees. There was little evidence of migration today, and over night only 1800 birds crossed Wayne County according to BirdCast. It is possible that one or more of the Northern Yellow Warblers banded today were migrants as they depart quite early. A bit more surprising were a couple species that were likely breeders but not expected, including an adult female Cedar Waxwing.

 

After hatch-year female Cedar Waxwing

More unexpected was a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak with a fully developed incubation patch, providing confirmation of breeding. I have not noted this species in Belle Isle in summer in many years.

After hatch-year female Rose-breasted Grosbeak

This bird showed a mix of old and new flight feathers, which in spring would indicate it was a second-year bird, but I suspect that she was undergoing her post-breeding molt a bit early.  Breeding evidence for Northern House Wren, Gray Catbird, American Robin, Song Sparrow, and Indigo Bunting was also noted.

 

Banding Results for August 6, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:30 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 72-84
Cloud Cover: 100-60%
Wind Direction: Calm-SW
Wind Speed: 0-3-7 mph
Barometer: 30.04- 30.05
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 6:29

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4
"Traill's" (Willow/Alder) Flycatcher - 1
Cedar Waxwing - 1
Northern House Wren - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Gray Catbird - 8 (plus 2 recaptured)
American Robin - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
Song Sparrow - 2
Northern Yellow Warbler - 4 (plus 1 recaptured, 1 released unbanded)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 2

No. of species captured: 10
No. of individuals banded: 28
No. recaptured: 5
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 34.3 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 1,800

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Marissa Jardine, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Jessica Schwarz, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 15
--------------------------------------------

 

Saturday, August 8, 2026 

We had to close the nets a half-hour early today due to the heat and humidity. Although there were reports of migration this week at points north of us, not much was materializing yet on Belle Isle with only resident breeding species captured today. The only photo highlight from today was a resident species that is infrequently captured, an adult female Carolina Wren with an incubation patch.

 

After hatch-year female Carolina Wren

The Willow Flycatcher banded today was a female with an incubation patch, confirming breeding for the island. 

 

Banding Results for August 8, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:00 (5.5 hrs, 90.75 net hrs)
Temperature: 74-85 (closed early due to heat)
Cloud Cover: 50-30%
Wind Direction: SW
Wind Speed: 3-5-7 mph
Barometer: 29.93-29.92
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 6:31

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Downy Woodpecker - 2
Willow Flycatcher - 1
[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 released unbanded)
Carolina Wren - 1
Northern House Wren - 5
Gray Catbird - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)
Song Sparrow - 1
[Common Yellowthroat - 1 recaptured]

No. of species captured: 9
No. of individuals banded: 13
No. recaptured: 2
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 17.6 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 300

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Mike Charlebois, Wren Haynes, Guy Lenk, Nolan Lenk, Lily Pagac, Skyler Principe, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 0
--------------------------------------------

 

Friday, August 14, 2026 

We had to close the nets a half-hour early again today due to the heat and humidity. But with some overnight migration noted on BirdCast, we were rewarded with our first confirmed migrant, two hatch-year Mourning Warblers, a species that does not breed here.

 

Hatch-year female Mourning Warbler

A female Eastern Warbling Vireo with a receding incubation patch provided breeding confirmation for this species in the banding area, and a juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker was evidence of successful breeding as well.

 

Banding Results for August 14, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:30 - 12:00 (5.5 hrs, 90.75 net hrs)
Temperature: 72-82 (closed early due to heat)
Cloud Cover: 100-70%
Wind Direction: Calm-E
Wind Speed: 0-3-5 mph
Barometer: 30.02-30.06
Precipitation: Fog in A.M.
Sunrise: 6:38

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1
Willow Flycatcher - 1
Eastern Warbling Vireo - 1
Northern House Wren - 1
Gray Catbird - 1
[Song Sparrow - 1 recaptured]
Mourning Warbler - 2
Common Yellowthroat - 1
Northern Yellow Warbler - 1
Northern Cardinal - 2

No. of species captured: 11
No. of individuals banded: 14
No. recaptured: 1
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 16.5 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 21,100

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Shelly Andrews, Mike Charlebois, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Joshua Samuels, Newt Wheeler, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 0
--------------------------------------------

 

Sunday, August 16, 2026 

Reports of good numbers of migrants to our north, and on the western side of the state, continued to cause us frustration as the BirdCast numbers were dismal for Wayne County once again. And that was again reflected in our captures, which consisted only of resident and/or breeding species. We closed the nets an hour early today due to the heat, but also due to impending rain. The only photo highlight today is an insect, one of several interesting species found today by Wren. this one was a Red-humped Caterpillar Moth. 

 

Red-humped Caterpillar Moth (Oedemasia concinna)

Banding Results for August 16, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:15 - 11:15 (5.0 hrs, 82.5 net hrs)
Temperature: 73-82 (closed early due to heat)
Cloud Cover: 60-100%
Wind Direction: Calm-W-N
Wind Speed: 0-5-7 mph
Barometer: 29.95-29.90
Precipitation: Rain at close
Sunrise: 6:40

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Northern Flicker - 1
Black-capped Chickadee - 1
Northern House Wren - 4 (plus 1 recaptured)
Gray Catbird - 2
Song Sparrow - 1
[Northern Cardinal  - 1 recaptured]

No. of species captured: 8
No. of individuals banded: 12
No. recaptured: 2
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 17.0 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 300

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Mike Charlebois, Wren Haynes, Marissa Jardine, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Jasper Myles.
Visitors: 0
--------------------------------------------

 

Friday, August 21, 2026 

Our starting temperature this morning was below 70 degrees for the first time this fall, but it was still a hot and humid day. But we did end up banding for our full 6 hours. With a good number of migrants over Wayne County last night, according to BirdCast, our hopes were high for a good day. But species diversity and numbers were low again. We did have a few migrants though, so the trickle has begun! Four Least Flycatchers were clearly migrants. In late spring of 2025, one was seen gathering nesting material, but they have not been confirmed nesting on Belle Isle. 

 

Hatch-year Least Flycatcher

Veeries nest in all counties surrounding Wayne, but are scarce in this county and do not nest on Belle Isle. So today's Veery was definitely a migrant.

 

Hatch-year Veery

Only two individual warblers were banded today. One was an Ovenbird, with a similar breeding distribution to the Veery, so likely does not nest on Belle Isle. The other was a Tennessee Warbler, clearly  a migrant.

 

Hatch-year female Tennessee Warbler

In fall, the sex of hatch-year Tennessee Warblers cannot be determined by any plumage characters. But some can be determined by wing measurements; less than 60mm is female and more than 65mm is male.

 

Banding Results for August 21, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:15 - 12:15 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 61-80
Cloud Cover: 20-60%
Wind Direction: Calm-SW
Wind Speed: 0-5-7 mph
Barometer: 30.10-30.10
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 6:45

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2
Least Flycatcher - 4
Black-capped Chickadee - 1
Northern House Wren - 2
Gray Catbird - 3
Veery - 1
American Goldfinch - 1
Song Sparrow - 1
Ovenbird - 1
Tennessee Warbler - 1
[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]

No. of species captured: 11
No. of individuals banded: 17
No. recaptured: 1
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 18.2 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 35.700

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Nicole Kvasnovsky, Blanche Wicke
Visitors: 4
--------------------------------------------

 

Sunday, August 23, 2026 

We finally got one day of relief from the heat, with starting temperature in the 60s for only the second time this month, and ending temperature staying below 80 for the first time. The wind speed may have affected our captures for the first time this month. A good flight of migrants last night on BirdCast had us hopeful once again, but most of them apparently kept on going as our diversity and numbers were once again low. But it did include a migrant Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and four warbler species, but only one of each. 

 

Hatch-year Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

They are very greenish and yellowish, especially with yellowish on the throat, and a big-headed look with a clean pale yellowish eye ring.

 

Hatch-year Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

The warblers included another Ovenbird, and an American Redstart. The other two that were photographed included the first Bay-breasted Warbler of the fall, which is an expected early migrant.

 

Hatch-year male Bay-breasted Warbler

The amount of chestnut on their flanks can help determine their sex; in this case a good amount indicative of male.

 

Hatch-year male Bay-breasted Warbler

The first Chestnut-sided Warbler of the season found the nets today. The presence of chestnut on the flanks of hatch-years indicates male, but the lack of chestnut does not indicate female as some males lack chestnut. So, this one was of unknown sex.

 

Hatch-year Chestnut-sided Warbler

The low number of birds was conducive to looking at other things, which many of us do on busy days as well. Here is a photo of Lily looking for insects.

 

 

I was keeping an eye on some large patches of Slender False Foxglove, an uncommon plant that was coming into peak bloom today. 

 

Slender False Foxglove
(Agalinis tenuifolia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are growing in a gravelly part of the banding area where a road was removed. 

 

Banding Results for August 23, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:15 - 12:15 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 62-74
Cloud Cover: 20-70%
Wind Direction: W-NW
Wind Speed: 5-7-12 mph
Barometer: 29.85-29.89
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 6:47

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 1
[Northern House Wren - 1 recaptured]
Gray Catbird - 2
[American Robin - 1 released unbanded]
Song Sparrow - 2
Ovenbird - 1
American Redstart - 1
Bay-breasted Warbler - 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1

No. of species captured: 10
No. of individuals banded: 12
No. recaptured: 1
No. released unbanded: 1
Capture Rate: 14.1 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 260,400

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Alexa Blankenship, Mike Charlebois, Pierre Hendricks, Lily Pagac, Jasper Myles, Jessica Schwarz, Rachel Schwarz, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 8
--------------------------------------------

 

Friday, August 28, 2026  

Warblers arrived today, but it was just a trickle. The large number of migrants last night, according to BirdCast, apparently flew past us again. The temperatures were pleasant and we were able to keep nets open for the full 6 hours that is our standard. Nine warblers of 7 species included a Canada Warbler, which is an early migrant in small numbers. 

 

Hatch-year female Canada Warbler

The blurry grayish spots on the breast indicate that this is a female. Males will have some black spots.

 

Hatch-year female Canada Warbler

Another early migrant is the Blackburnian Warbler, which we don't catch very often as they tend to stay high in the trees.

 

Hatch-year male Blackburnian Warbler

Hatch-year male Blackburnian Warbler

The second Chestnut-sided Warbler of the season was also banded today; last year only one was banded.

 

Banding Results for August 28, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:15 - 12:15 (6.0 hrs, 99.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 64-75
Cloud Cover: 0-10%
Wind Direction: N-NE
Wind Speed: 1-3-7 mph
Barometer: 30.08-30.15
Precipitation: None
Sunrise: 6:53

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Black-capped Chickadee - 1
Gray Catbird - 2
Veery - 1
[Song Sparrow - 1 recaptured]
Northern Waterthrush - 2
Nashville Warbler - 1
American Redstart - 1
Bay-breasted Warbler - 2
Blackburnian Warbler - 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1
Canada Warbler - 1

No. of species captured: 12
No. of individuals banded: 14
No. recaptured: 2
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 16.2 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 579,100

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Skyler Babbitt, Alexa Blankenship, Marissa Jardine, Nicole Kvasmovsky, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 2
--------------------------------------------

 

Sunday, August 30, 2026  

With rain in the forecast, we knew that we might have to close the nets early. But the rain arrived more quickly, and was more widespread, than was predicted. So the nets were only open for two hours, and we took everything down in the rain after closing just before it started. BirdCast showed no birds, zero, flew over Wayne County last night. Even with the low number banded, we had two more Mourning Warblers, and the first Swainson's Thrush and Magnolia Warbler of the season. Here is a photo that John took of the crew right after we got all the nets taken down.

 

I took a drive around the island, looking for birds. Sometimes these conditions bring shorebirds down to the beach, which is normally covered with humans. No such luck today. But I did get this photo from Lake Okonoka on the island that shows the condition of the former old-growth forest that has pretty much died off in the past few years due to flooding, oak wilt, and Emerald Ash Borer.

 

Banding Results for August 30, 2026

16.5 nets open 6:15 - 8:15 (2.0 hrs, 33.0 net hrs)
Temperature: 71-72
Cloud Cover: 100%
Wind Direction: Calm-W
Wind Speed: 0-1-3 mph
Barometer: 30.07-30.08
Precipitation: Intermittent light rain (rain forced early close)
Sunrise: 6:55

Alder Flycatcher - 2
Gray Catbird - 2
Swainson's Thrush - 1
Song Sparrow - 1
Mourning Warbler - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 1

No. of species captured: 6
No. of individuals banded: 9
No. recaptured: 0
No. released unbanded: 0
Capture Rate: 27.3 per 100 net hrs
BirdCast for Wayne Co: 0

Bander: Allen Chartier
Assistants: Shelly Andrews, Alexa Blankenship, Skyler Babbitt, Wren Haynes, Nicole Kvasnovsky, John Scarramucci, Blanche Wicke.
Visitors: 0
--------------------------------------------