Andrew’s Posting From May 23rd to May27th

Migration Still Going Strong at Cabot Head.

Today (May 23rd) we banded 40 birds of 17 species including Least Flycatcher, Red Eyed Vireo, a pair of Brown Creepers, Rose Breasted Grosbeak and another female Golden Winged Warbler. Census produced a male Indigo Bunting singing as well as a Red Bellied Woodpecker and an Eastern Towhee. Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are now buzzing about the firs in the woods always and the flycatchers are starting to turn up along with Blackpoll Warblers regularly observed the dooming signs that migration will be coming to a close soon are showing but there are still lots of birds around.

Today (May 24th) we banded 48 birds of 16 species including Wilson’s Warbler, Canada Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Slate Coloured Junco, Traill’s Flycatcher, Yellow Bellied Flycatcher and Eastern Wood Pewee. We also banded 17 American Redstarts and we are observing 30 to 50 most days. Hawks once again moved today in good numbers with 1 Osprey, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Northern Harrier, 12 Sharp Shinned Hawks, 3 Cooper’s Hawks, 244 Broad Winged Hawks, 17 Red Tailed Hawks, 1 American Kestrel, 4 Merlins and 7 Red Shouldered Hawks! A Semipalmated Plover was seen flying along Georgian Bay during Baywatch. We also banded 4 Swainson’s Thrush and a Gray Cheeked Thrush.  2 Field Sparrows were heard singing at the Pine Barrens and 17 male Eastern Bluebirds were singing up a storm there as well.

Today (May 25th) was rainy and windy and there was noticeable drop in bird activity. We banded 20 birds of 11 species Traill’s FLycatcher, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Canada Warbler and American Robin. On census 31 species were seen including a Great Horned Owl that was perched in a pine across the basin giving great views for a birding group from the Huron Fringe Birding Festival who were at Cabot Head for the morning. Whip-Poor-Will was heard in the early morning during net opening and a Ring Necked Duck was seen floating throughout the morning.

Today (May 26th) was clear but breezy but we were able to open all our nets. We banded 21 birds of 11 species including our first Indigo Bunting of the year, Sharp Shinned Hawk, White Throated Sparrow, and 2 Mourning Warblers. Census was productive with 42 species seen highlights being Hairy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Rusty Blackbird and Pine Siskin. With a total of 62 species seen for the day the birds are still moving through in good numbers.

Today (May 27th) was cloudy and ominous but it did not rain and we ran our nets without a hitch. We banded 21 birds of 13 species including Brown Thrasher, Nashville Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler and Traill’s Flycatcher. About 100 Canada Geese were seen flying out over Georgian Bay and 2 Whip-Poor-Will were heard sing around the basin. Census was good with 38 species including Bay Breasted Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, American Pipit, Pileated Woodpecker. Today we say goodbye to Pat Burri from Lucerne, Switzerland who has been volunteering at Cabot Head for a month. Best of luck and keep cool!

Andrew