Metro Beach banding report - May 23 & 25, 2009

After an absence of thirteen days during the peak of spring migration, I was finally able to return to banding at Metro Beach thanks to the help of several volunteers. As expected, the majority of sparrows have moved through while thrushes and Empidonax flycatchers have increased somewhat. The selection of warblers was distinctly comprised of the later migrants. On a more mundane level, a new spring season record for Red-winged Blackbirds was broken on May 23 (old record was 92 from spring 2008). Typically, we catch a lot of male Red-wings in April and early May while we catch mainly females in late May into early June. We are starting to catch more females as expected, but are continuing to catch males and the season total is now in excess of 120. As the spring progresses, we are also recapturing more of the local breeding species, and so far there have been 16 Yellow Warblers banded in previous years (back to 2005), several Common Yellowthroats (back to 2006), 12 Black-capped Chickadees (back to 2005), more than a dozen American Goldfinches (back to 2006), and 4 Baltimore Orioles (back to 2004). Over these two days of banding, 131 birds were banded, with the greatest number on May 23 and the best diversity (including a couple surprises) on May 25.

Banding highlights from Saturday, May 23 included a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, an Alder Flycatcher, a Least Flycatcher, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow, a Gray-cheeked Thrush, and the first American Redstarts, Mourning and Wilson's Warblers of the spring.

Mourning Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Additional banding highlights included a Gray-cheeked Thrush, a Lincoln's Sparrow, and SIX Baltimore Orioles. Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Sora calling in the marsh, singing Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow-bellied and Willow Flycatchers, a late Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and a few additional warblers including single Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, and Blackpoll as well as multiple singing Canada Warblers.

Banding highlights from Monday, May 25 included three Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, a Hairy Woodpecker, and several Empidonax flycatchers banded as "Traill's" (Willow or Alder) including one that keyed out to Alder. As many of you know, these flycatchers are very challenging, and among my favorites to band.

"Traill's" Flycatcher

Other banding highlights included a Tree Swallow, a late-ish Veery, three more Baltimore Orioles, SIX Wilson's Warblers, and the first Canada Warbler of the spring.

Canada Warbler

Later in the day, two surprises were captured. First was a Savannah Sparrow, a species quite unexpected in a marsh adjacent to a swamp, and only the second one banded here since 2004 and only the third ever (the first was in spring 1993). This is quite a beautiful sparrow up close.

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

The second surprise was an Eastern Kingbird, only the second ever banded here (the first was in spring 1999).

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

Personally, this is also only the third time I've ever banded this species; the first time was at Holiday Beach, Ontario, many years ago when I banded three in 1998 and three more in 1999. All these, however, were hatch-year birds. Today's Eastern Kingbird was an after hatch-year male and as a result showed plumage characters I'd not seen before including the hidden red crown patch typical of adults.

Eastern Kingbird crown patch

Another character that adult Eastern Kingbirds show is notching on the outer two primaries. Since this notching measured more than 8 mm, it was possible to sex this bird as male.

Eastern Kingbird, male

Interesting birds observed but not banded included three flyover Turkey Vultures, a Sora calling in the marsh, a briefly calling Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, a continuing and late Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (probably nesting by now), as well as single Bay-breasted and Blackpoll Warblers, and up to three Mourning Warblers singing all around us most of the morning.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these two days possible: Elaine Attridge, Andrea Charlebois, Chris Charlebois, Michael Charlebois, David Furi, Harry Lau, Rose Lau, Tessa Lau, and Jennifer Philpot-Munson.

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Banding Data:
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SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:04 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:00
Hours Open: 7.25
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 88.563
Temperature (F): 50-73
Sky: 10-80% cloud cover
Wind: NE-E @ 1-3-10 mph
Barometer: 30.21 - 30.14
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 78 (plus 23 recaptured and 6 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 27
Capture Rate: 120.8 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: David Furi, Harry Lau, Rose Lau, Tessa Lau

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1

[Downy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]

[Northern Flicker - 1 released unbanded]

Alder Flycatcher - 1

Least Flycatcher - 1

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1

[Black-capped Chickadee - 3 recaptured]

House Wren - 1

Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1

Swainson's Thrush - 4

American Robin - 4 (plus 2 recaptured)

Gray Catbird - 6

Nashville Warbler - 1

Yellow Warbler - 8 (plus 3 recaptured)

Magnolia Warbler - 1

American Redstart - 2

Mourning Warbler - 2

Common Yellowthroat - 2 (plus 5 recaptured)

Wilson's Warbler - 2 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Song Sparrow - 1

Lincoln's Sparrow - 1

[Swamp Sparrow - 1 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 26 (plus 2 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 4 (plus 1 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Baltimore Oriole - 6

American Goldfinch - 1 (plus 4 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:02 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15

Hours Open: 7.50

No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25

Net Hours: 93.00

Temperature (F): 52-68

Sky: 70-20% cloud cover

Wind: NNE-E @ 3-5-10 mph

Barometer: 30.21 - 30.28

Precipitation: None

No. Banded: 53 (plus 24 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)

No. of Species: 24

Capture Rate: 84.9 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Elaine Attridge, Andrea Charlebois, Chris Charlebois, Mike Charlebois, Jennifer Philpot-Munson

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3

Downy Woodpecker - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)

Hairy Woodpecker - 1

Alder Flycatcher - 1

"Traill's" Flycatcher - 3

EASTERN KINGBIRD - 1

Tree Swallow - 1

[Black-capped Chickadee - 2 recaptured]

[House Wren - 2 recaptured]

Veery - 1

Swainson's Thrush - 4

American Robin - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)

Gray Catbird - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)

Yellow Warbler - 2 (plus 5 recaptured)

Magnolia Warbler - 1

American Redstart - 1

[Common Yellowthroat - 3 recaptured]

Wilson's Warbler - 6 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Canada Warbler - 1

SAVANNAH SPARROW - 1

[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 11 (plus 2 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)

Baltimore Oriole - 3 (plus 3 recaptured)

American Goldfinch - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Metro Beach banding report - May 8-10, 2009

The warblers have arrived!

The impressive total of 138 birds banded on these three days, Friday May 8 through Sunday May 10, would have been even more impressive if we hadn't been all but shut down completely by bad weather on Saturday, and had more than a partial day to band on Sunday (curtailed due to an afternoon commitment). As a result, there are more photo highlights in this installment. Who could resist these colors?

Banding highlights from Friday, May 8, included a very good number of Veeries, six to be exact, which may be a record number banded for one day here. One of the Veeries had a large, engorged tick on its neck, which I removed to be sent to a researcher studying the dispersal of Lyme Disease.

Among the 9 species of warbler banded today, among the most interesting, or at least most colorful, included a Chestnut-sided...

...a Black-throated Green...

...and my favorite, Magnolia Warbler.

The third White-eyed Vireo of the spring was not as unexpected as it might have been, since this species seems to be everywhere, and in greater numbers this spring.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Worm-eating Warbler singing from the swamp near the Upland Nets. Unfortunately we didn't catch him. We also observed Chimney Swifts, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Marsh Wren, Tennessee, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, Palm, and Black-and-white Warblers.

Banding highlights from Saturday, May 9, included, well...nothing. We were only able to get 9 of the 13 nets open, and then only for less than two hours as first we got rain, then very strong winds. Very little of interest was observed, though we did see a Common Loon fly over and there was a Sora calling in the marsh, and the first Wilson's Warbler of the season singing next to the cars.

Banding highlights from Sunday, May 10, included the first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (2) of the season, obviously a big highlight for me.

Also, the first Wood Thrushes (2) of the spring were banded today.

As on Friday, 9 species of warbler were banded today in a similar mixture, but with the first Palm Warbler of the season as well as some unexpectedly late Yellow-rumped Warblers. But in this season of warblers, sparrows provided highlights as well, with a nice White-crowned Sparrow today, a species we don't often catch.

And Lincoln's Sparrows continue to move through in small numbers. While last week's installment also had a photo of this species, I can't resist posting another as it is one of my favorite sparrow species.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included large flocks of swallows, including several Northern Rough-winged and Bank, and large numbers of Tree and Barn, with groups of Chimney Swifts mixed in at times. A Golden-winged Warbler was singing briefly very early in the morning but apparently didn't stick around. Other interesting warblers observed included Northern Parula, Cape May (very low in the trees), Blackburnian (at least 3), and Blackpoll. A Scarlet Tanager was "chick-burr"-ing from near the Upland Nets for part of the morning, and Baltimore Orioles were numerous and conspicuous.

A non-avian highlight of Sunday morning was the beautiful moon-set over Lake St. Clair at 6 a.m.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these three days possible: Terri Chapdelaine, Andrea Charlebois, Chris Charlebois, Jean Gramlich, and Renee Render,.

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Banding Data:
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FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:19 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15
Hours Open: 7.25
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 88.188
Temperature (F): 60-72
Sky: 50-80% cloud cover
Wind: SW @ 3-5 mph
Barometer: 29.80 - 29.78
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 68 (plus 17 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 32
Capture Rate: 97.5 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: Jean Gramlich, Renee Render

Downy Woodpecker - 1

White-eyed Vireo - 1

Warbling Vireo - 1

Blue Jay - 1

[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]

House Wren - 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1

Veery - 6

Gray-cheeked Thrush - 1

Swainson's Thrush - 1

Hermit Thrush - 2

American Robin - 3

Gray Catbird - 2

Nashville Warbler - 2

Yellow Warbler - 12 (plus 5 recaptured)

Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1

Magnolia Warbler - 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1

Black-throated Green Warbler - 1

Ovenbird - 5

Northern Waterthrush - 1

Common Yellowthroat - 2

[Song Sparrow - 2 recaptured]

Lincoln's Sparrow - 2

Swamp Sparrow - 10 (plus 1 recaptured)

White-throated Sparrow - 5

[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 2 (plus 2 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 1

Brown-headed Cowbird - 1

[Baltimore Oriole - 2 recaptured]

[American Goldfinch - 3 recaptured]

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SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:17 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 7:45 (rain and high winds forced early closure)

Hours Open: 1.75

No. of Nets: 5.00-8.75

Net Hours: 11.563

Temperature (F): 60-62

Sky: 70-100% cloud cover

Wind: S-W @ 3-5-25 mph

Barometer: 29.62 - 29.59

Precipitation: Rain (forced early closure)

No. Banded: 6 (plus 4 recaptured)

No. of Species: 5

Capture Rate: 86.5 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Andrea Charlebois, Chris Charlebois

Swainson's Thrush - 1

Gray Catbird - 1

Yellow Warbler - 3 (plus 3 recaptured)

[Song Sparrow - 1 recaptured]

Swamp Sparrow - 1

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SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:16 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 10:30
Hours Open: 4.75
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 55.438
Temperature (F): 48-61
Sky: 40-50% cloud cover
Wind: WNW @ 5-7-10 mph
Barometer: 30.14 - 30.16
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 70 (plus 19 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 28
Capture Rate: 164.1 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: Terri Chapdelaine

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2

[Downy Woodpecker - 2 recaptured]

Warbling Vireo - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

House Wren - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3

Veery - 2

Swainson's Thrush - 1

Hermit Thrush - 1

Wood Thrush - 2

Gray Catbird - 4

Nashville Warbler - 4

Yellow Warbler - 16 (plus 6 recaptured)

Magnolia Warbler - 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4

Black-throated Green Warbler - 1

Palm Warbler - 1

Ovenbird - 2

Northern Waterthrush - 2

Common Yellowthroat - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

[Song Sparrow - 3 recaptured]

Lincoln's Sparrow - 2

Swamp Sparrow - 7 (plus 1 recaptured)

White-throated Sparrow - 7 (plus 1 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)

White-crowned Sparrow - 1

[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]

Red-winged Blackbird - 2 (plus 1 recaptured)

Common Grackle - 1

[Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 recaptured]

Metro Beach Banding - April 30 & May 2, 2009

Conditions returned to more seasonal norms, with cooler temperatures and, yes, rain. On Thursday, April 30, we were only able to keep the nets open for 3 hours before the rain began. While the birds were kept safe by our early closure of nets, the intrepid volunteers (Chad and Cathy) got stuck taking down the station in a cold, light, continuous rain. So, again extra thanks to them for enduring the additional discomforts. On Saturday, May 2, it was sunny and nice, but with winds becoming a bit gusty later in the day. The thistle sock feeders have now been taken down from inside the Field Nets, and the hummingbird feeders are now up near the Field Edge net.

Banding highlights from Thursday, April 30, included not one but TWO White-eyed Vireos. One was a second-year and the other an after second-year. The photos below show the SY above, with a pearly-gray eye and the ASY below with a much whiter eye. Plumage characters (molt limits) also supported these age designations.

Although I've banded two White-eyed Vireos in the same spring season, I don't think I've ever had two on the same day (they were even on the same net run!).

Another highlight today was a Brown Thrasher, which is a species we don't catch every year.

Other firsts for the spring included a Black-and-white Warbler, an Ovenbird, and a Common Yellowthroat. And, I banded a species I've never banded in my life before today. Not because of any great rarity, but because of protocol. Ellie Cox's protocol established that any bird captured at the station would be banded, provided the banding permit allows (i.e., no ducks). As a result, I've banded a few European Starlings here which normally I might not. So, it was surprising to see the following two birds, male and female, in the Willow net closest to where we park the cars.

Yes, a male and female (with a big brood patch) House Sparrow finally hit the nets. Between 1989-2001 only 5 House Sparrows were banded, all in spring.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a pair of Blue-winged Teal in the swamp adjacent to the Upland Nets, a Sora calling in the marsh near the Field Nets, an Eastern Kingbird heard briefly, a Gray Catbird, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Palm Warbler.

Banding highlights from Saturday, May 2, included the first Warbling Vireo of the spring. Not many of these are banded these days, possibly due to the decreased undergrowth in the banding area from extensive browsing by the White-tailed Deer.

Blue Jays were flying south, reverse migrating, in good numbers today (70+), and as sometimes happens during these movements, several were captured. The peak of migration seems to be about the only time when Blue Jays are captured here. Not a rare bird, but always beautiful and exciting to catch.

Other banding highlights included the first Gray Catbird of the spring, three Northern Waterthrushes on the first net run, and the first Lincoln's Sparrow of the spring.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Cooper's Hawk in display flight, a briefly-seen Broad-winged Hawk, a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird at the feeders, a singing White-eyed Vireo near the cars (not banded), a briefly singing Blue-headed Vireo, the first Marsh Wren of the spring, and a Baltimore Oriole.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these two days possible: Dave Furi, Chad Geurts, Cathy Thiesen, and Joan Tisdale. Thanks also to Dave Furi for allowing me to use his photo of Lincoln's Sparrow.

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Banding Data:

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FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:29 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 10:00 (rain forced early closure)

Hours Open: 4.25

No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25

Net Hours: 48.438

Temperature (F): 52-54

Sky: 100% cloud cover

Wind: SE @ 5-7 mph

Barometer: 30.20 - 30.09

Precipitation: Rain started at 10:00

No. Banded: 59 (plus 8 recaptured)

No. of Species: 18

Capture Rate: 138.3 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Chad Geurts, Cathy Thiesen

Northern Flicker - 1

White-eyed Vireo - 2

Blue Jay - 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3

Hermit Thrush - 2

Brown Thrasher - 1

Yellow Warbler - 4 (plus 1 recaptured)

Black-and-white Warbler - 1

Ovenbird - 1

Northern Waterthrush - 1

Common Yellowthroat - 1 (plus recaptured)

Song Sparrow - 2 (plus 2 recaptured)

Swamp Sparrow - 19

White-throated Sparrow - 4

Red-winged Blackbird - 7

Brown-headed Cowbird - 1

American Goldfinch - 6 (plus 4 recaptured)

House Sparrow - 2

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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:28 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 5:45
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:00
Hours Open: 7.25
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 88.563
Temperature (F): 45-64
Sky: 10-50% cloud cover
Wind: Calm-SSE @ 0-5-15 mph
Barometer: 30.05 - 29.95
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 29 (plus 16 recaptured and 5 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 14
Capture Rate: 56.5 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: Dave Furi, Joan Tisdale

Downy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Warbling Vireo - 1

Blue Jay - 6 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Gray Catbird - 1

Yellow Warbler - 1 (plus 4 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Northern Waterthrush - 3

Common Yellowthroat - 1 (plus 1 released unbanded)

[Song Sparrow - 7 recaptured]

Lincoln's Sparrow - 1

Swamp Sparrow - 12 (plus 3 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Northern Cardinal - 1

[Red-winged Blackbird - 1 released unbanded]

[Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 recaptured]

American Goldfinch - 1

Metro Beach Banding - April 24-25, 2009

The warm spell from last week not only continued this week, but intensified, with the high temperatures on both Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 coming close to breaking records. With the warmth, there was also wind, not too bad on Friday but preventing setup of the Field Nets on Saturday since they're completely exposed to southwest winds. While we ended up closing the station before the rain started on Saturday, we only got about half of them down before the rain (and a little thunder) started. We were quickly soaked, but continued to take the station down. Extra thanks to Dave, Renee, and Cathy for enduring the additional discomfort.

A total of 93 new birds, 46 on Friday and 47 on Saturday, was banded continuing the good results experienced this spring.

On Friday, April 24, banding highlights included an adult female Eastern Towhee, a species not often banded here. Getting a photo showing her bright red eyes turned out to be difficult as she kept "blinking" with her nictating membrane every time I clicked the shutter.

Another highlight was the first, and unusually early, Northern Waterthrush of the season. One had been heard calling in the shrub-swamp near the road earlier, so there may have been two different individuals present.

Another highlight was a Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker. The bird of the day was again Red-winged Blackbird and this season is on track to beat last spring's record of 92 (70 so far this year). The 7 White-throated Sparrows banded today represented the first influx of this species of the spring. Highlights of birds observed but not banded included a Sora calling in the shrub-swamp, Purple Martins overhead, late(ish) Golden-crowned Kinglets, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, two Yellow Warblers heard singing distantly away from the road, and a Field Sparrow heard singing in the marsh before sunrise.

On Saturday, April 25, banding highlights included the first Blue-headed Vireo, House Wren, and Yellow Warbler of the season, and a record late Brown Creeper. As with last week, the number of Red-winged Blackbirds banded decreased as the birds apparently figure out the net setup on consecutive days. The bird of the day today was clearly White-throated Sparrow, with 26 banded. Highlights of birds observed but not banded included a female Blue-winged Teal grunting from the shrub-swamp near the cars, a Chimney Swift overhead, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that called just a couple times, at least 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers, at least 2 Northern Waterthrushes, and 1 Louisiana Waterthrush that burst into song after the thunderstorms stopped just as we finished taking the nets down.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these two days possible: John Bieganowski, Nick Dicresce, Dave Furi, Renee Render, Cathy Thiesen, and Marilynn Thomas.
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Banding Data:
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:38 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:00
Hours Open: 7.00
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 86.375
Temperature (F): 48-81
Sky: 50% cloud cover
Wind: ESE-SE @ 7-10-15 mph
Barometer: 30.02 - 29.93
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 46 (plus 6 recaptured and 3 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 14
Capture Rate: 63.7 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: John Bieganowski (a.m. only), Nick Dicresce, Cathy Thiesen, Marilyn Thomas

Northern Flicker - 1

[Black-capped Chickadee - 2 recaptured]

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1

Hermit Thrush - 4

American Robin - 1 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Northern Waterthrush - 1

Eastern Towhee - 1

Song Sparrow - 3 (plus 2 recaptured)

Swamp Sparrow - 1 (plus 1 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

White-throated Sparrow - 7

Red-winged Blackbird - 17 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Common Grackle - 2

Brown-headed Cowbird - 2

American Goldfinch - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)

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SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:36 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:00

Hours Open: 7.00

No. of Nets: 3.75-10.75

Net Hours: 70.500

Temperature (F): 69-81

Sky: 50-90% cloud cover

Wind: SW @ 10-15-20 mph

Barometer: 30.03 - 30.03

Precipitation: None (brief thunderstorm during takedown)

No. Banded: 47 (plus 7 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)

No. of Species: 12

Capture Rate: 78.0 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Dave Furi, Renee Render, Cathy Thiesen

[Downy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]

Blue-headed Vireo - 1

Brown Creeper - 1 (record late)

House Wren - 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1

Hermit Thrush - 4

American Robin - 1 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Yellow Warbler - 1

[Song Sparrow - 2 recaptured]

Swamp Sparrow - 5

White-throated Sparrow - 26 (plus 1 released unbanded)

Red-winged Blackbird - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)

American Goldfinch - 1 (plus 3 recaptured)

Metro Beach Banding - April 17 & 18, 2009

Ten degrees above normal and sunny skies made for very pleasant conditions on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18. The net setup was changed slightly on these two days because a deer ran through one of the Field Nets last week and ruined it, requiring me to buy yet another net (the 8th one since banding began in 2004). Three enthusiastic and very helpful first-time assistants came out on Friday, and four cheerful and hard-working assistants came out on Saturday, including Neil Gilbert who was visiting from California. In the photo below, Neil is helping Renee with the "photographer's grip".

And here Neil holds a Swamp Sparrow for Joan to photograph while Frank looks on.

A total of 110 new birds was banded over the two days, a very good number for so early in the season.

On Friday, April 17, highlights included four Hermit Thrushes, the first Yellow-rumped Warbler of the spring (record early for spring banding), the first Swamp Sparrow of the spring, the first Dark-eyed Junco, and possibly the last, and two American Tree Sparrows. Perhaps of more interest today were two recaptures, one of a female Black-capped Chickadee that was banded in 2005 as a second-year bird, which now makes her a 6th year female. And, a female Hairy Woodpecker was recaptured that was banded in 2004 as an After Third Year, making her an After EIGHTH Year female. Interestingly, I took photos of her when banded in 2004, as well as today. These photos are below, with the 2004 photo above and the 2009 photo below.

Interesting birds observed but not banded today included a Wilson's Snipe winnowing at sunrise over the marsh, an American Woodcock that flew across the road while we were driving in, both Caspian and Forster's Terns on the beach but visible and audible from the banding area, an Osprey perched near the beach, the first Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Ruby-crowned Kinglets of the spring, a Field Sparrow out among the Field nets, and a flyover Pine Siskin.

On Saturday, April 18, banding highlights included the first Ruby-crowned Kinglets of the spring, 9 Hermit Thrushes (a record for spring banding), two Yellow-rumped Warblers including the nice adult male shown below, a very late American Tree Sparrow (tied late record for spring banding), and the first White-throated Sparrows of the spring.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a Common Loon flying overhead, two Cooper's Hawks engaged in courtship flight, a calling Virginia Rail, a Sora (Neil only), a winnowing Wilson's Snipe at sunrise, two Blue-winged Teal (Joan only), a Belted Kingfisher, a Pine Warbler found by Neil which sang only briefly, and another flyover Pine Siskin. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was reported along the "trail" on the fence along Cherry Lane, which was refound by Joan, though she was too close for comfort when a big 30-foot multi-trunked tree fell down near her! We all heard and saw this amazing sight! An odd non-avian highlight of the day was an early afternoon bat sighting. Suddenly, a bat was flying back and forth over us in the bright sunlight. At the time, I thought it was a Red Bat, but after looking at my photos more carefully, it appears that it is actually a Big Brown Bat (based on tail shape, leg placement, and ear size), which is also somewhat migratory. I believe that I can see an insect in the bat's mouth in the photo.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding on these two days possible: Chad Geurts, Jean Gramlich, Frank Lautner, Gisela Lendle King, Renee Render (half day), Joan Tisdale, and especially Neil Gilbert who came all the way from California to help out. Well, not really, he was here anyway. Here is a final photo of Neil "hypnotizing" a Golden-crowned Kinglet...it's amazing how easily amused these California guys are!

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Banding Data:

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2009

Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:48 a.m.

Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00

Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:15

Hours Open: 7.25

No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25

Net Hours: 88.563

Temperature (F): 36-70

Sky: 0% cloud cover

Wind: Calm-SE @ 0-5-7 mph

Barometer: 30.46 - 30.36

Precipitation: None

No. Banded: 61 (plus 18 recaptured and 4 released unbanded)

No. of Species: 16

Capture Rate: 93.7 birds per 100 net hours

Assistants: Chad Geurts, Jean Gramlich, Gisela Lendle King

[Downy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]
[Hairy Woodpecker - 1 recaptured]
[Black-capped Chickadee - 3 recaptured]
Brown Creeper - 4
Winter Wren - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 3 (plus 1 recaptured)
Hermit Thrush - 4 (plus 1 released unbanded)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1
American Tree Sparrow - 2
Fox Sparrow - 1
Song Sparrow - 6 (plus 6 recaptured)
Swamp Sparrow - 3
Dark-eyed Junco - 1
Northern Cardinal - 1
Red-winged Blackbird - 23 (plus 2 recaptured and 2 released unbanded)
American Goldfinch - 11 (plus 4 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

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SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:47 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:30
Hours Open: 7.50
No. of Nets: 5.00-13.25
Net Hours: 93.000
Temperature (F): 48-77
Sky: 0-20% cloud cover
Wind: SW-WSW @ 3-5-10 mph
Barometer: 30.19 - 30.10
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 49 (plus 8 recaptured)
No. of Species: 15
Capture Rate: 61.3 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: Neil Gilbert, Frank Lautner, Renee Render (half day), and Joan Tisdale

Eastern Phoebe - 2

Brown Creeper - 1

Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2

Hermit Thrush - 9 (one-day spring record)

American Robin - 2 (plus 3 recaptured)

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2

American Tree Sparrow (tied record late)

Fox Sparrow - 2

Song Sparrow - 2 (plus 2 recaptured)

Swamp Sparrow - 5

White-throated Sparrow - 2

Northern Cardinal - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)

Red-winged Blackbird - 4

American Goldfinch - 13 (plus 2 recaptured)

Metro Beach Banding - April 11, 2009

The first full day of spring banding was quite wintry for the first few hours (we started setup just after 6 a.m. E.D.T.). The temperature was in the low to mid-40s and the wind was out of the north, sometimes strongly, giving us the effect of wind chill. But better weather is ahead! Eventually the winds diminished a little and the temperature rose through the 40s, ending up in the low 50s. The beautiful blue sky was a nice distraction also.

For this early in the season, the 60 birds banded was quite a good total even if Red-winged Blackbirds dominated the catch (19). One highlight of the day was banding not just one, but FOUR American Tree Sparrows. This species typically leaves southern Michigan by mid-April, and often departs the banding area earlier than that, so these will almost certainly be the only ones we band this spring.

Another early spring migrant is the Fox Sparrow, though it can remain into late April most years. We were lucky to catch two Fox Sparrows today, hopefully not our last for the spring.

Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers were again among the early migrants banded today, while single Winter Wren and Hermit Thrush were the first of the season. Two more Eastern Phoebes were also notable. An interesting situation occurred in early afternoon when all 5 of the Black-capped Chickadees (4 returns, 1 new) were captured on the same net run, but different nets.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included a winnowing Wilson's Snipe before sunrise, a Sora calling in the marsh, and single Eastern Towhee, White-throated Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Purple Finch, and Pine Siskin.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding today possible: Renee Render and Joan Tisdale.

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Banding Data:

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 5:58 a.m.
Time Open (E.S.T.): 6:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:30
Hours Open: 7.50
No. of Nets: 4.75-13.00
Net Hours: 87.938
Temperature (F): 32-54
Sky: 2o-0% cloud cover
Wind: N @ 7-10-15 mph
Barometer: 30.19 - 30.31
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 60 (plus 14 recaptured and 5 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 15
Capture Rate: 89.8 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: Renee Render, Joan Tisdale

Downy Woodpecker - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
Eastern Phoebe - 2
Black-capped Chickadee - 1 (plus 4 recaptured)
Brown Creeper - 4
Winter Wren - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 4
Hermit Thrush - 1
American Robin - 3
American Tree Sparrow - 4
Fox Sparrow - 2
Song Sparrow - 6 (plus 4 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)
[Northern Cardinal - 1 recaptured]
Red-winged Blackbird - 19 (plus 1 recaptured and 3 released unbanded)
Common Grackle - 1
American Goldfinch - 11 (plus 3 recaptured and 1 released unbanded)

Spring Banding Season Begins

On Sunday, April 5, 2009, four intrepid volunteers and I arrived at Metro Beach Metro Park, Macomb County, Michigan at 8 a.m. (7:00 E.S.T.) to clear net lanes and set up mist nets for the first official banding day this spring. Migration monitoring and stopover ecology of migrant birds has been studied here since 1989, and my own banding here has continued this research since 2004. There are no photo highlights in this installment, but hopefully there will be some as the season progresses.

After such a snowy winter, it was surprising that there wasn't more to clear away from the net lanes, and there was less water than usual (but plenty of mud) so we got the nets up and running quite early considering the late start. The first half of April is always iffy as far as the weather goes, but is the best chance for us to document the presence of certain wintering and early migrant species including American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and Fox Sparrow. Unfortunately, we didn't catch any of these today, but we did capture other early migrants including Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, and Eastern Phoebe. As expected, Red-winged Blackbirds dominated the captures, as they probably will for another couple weeks. The total of 24 banded today (plus 5 recaptures) of 10 species is a slightly better than average start. A shepherd's hook with two thistle feeders was put out inside the Field Nets u-shaped setup, as was done last fall, to attract goldfinches and other sparrows to the area. This will be moved at the beginning of May to the Field Edge and hummingbird feeders will replace the thistle feeders, consistent with past practice.

Interesting birds observed but not banded included Rusty Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, American Tree Sparrow, and Pine Siskin. A male and female Hairy Woodpecker caught our attention with their boisterous courtship activity. A few Tree Swallows were flying over the marsh, but have not yet shown an interest in the "Gilbert House," a nest box donated and put up by Neil Gilbert in 2007. There were still many ducks on Lake St. Clair at our meeting spot at the Day Sail parking area, but of course none were visible from the banding area.

Many thanks to the volunteer assistants who made banding today possible: John Bieganowski Chris Goulart, Renee Render, and Joan Tisdale.

Banding Data:

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2008
Sunrise (E.S.T.): 6:08
Time Open (E.S.T.): 8:00
Time Closed (E.S.T.): 13:00
Hours Open: 5.00
No. of Nets: 4.75-12.75
Net Hours: 55.50
Temperature (F): 36-48
Sky: 5o-100% cloud cover
Wind: ENE-ESE @ 5-7 mph
Barometer: 30.04 - 29.94
Precipitation: None
No. Banded: 24 (plus 5 recaptured and 4 released unbanded)
No. of Species: 10
Capture Rate: 59.5 birds per 100 net hours
Assistants: John Bieganowski, Chris Goulart, Renee Render, Joan Tisdale

Eastern Phoebe - 1
[Black-capped Chickadee - 1 recaptured]
Brown Creeper - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
American Robin - 1
Song Sparrow - 5 (plus 1 recaptured)
Northern Cardinal - 2
Red-winged Blackbird - 7 (plus 2 recaptured and 4 released unbanded)
Brown-headed Cowbird - 1 (plus 1 recaptured)
American Goldfinch - 4