Andrew’s Posting For August 21st – 25th
Warm temperatures and low winds kept migration at a stand still over the next 5 days though some new species began to move through in low numbers. We banded 22 birds of 10 species on the 21st including a young female Scarlet Tanager, a Black-billed Cuckoo, 2 Wilson’s Warblers, as well as American Redstart, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo and Red-breasted Nuthatch. A Spotted Sandpiper was observed during census on the 21st our first shorebird for fall 2012. On the 22nd we banded a Hermit Thrush, an Indigo Bunting and a Cabot Head record early American Tree Sparrow. Many Northern Flickers are flying foraging along the Cabot Head road and have been observed at the station daily. A surprise on census on the 22nd was a single Wild Turkey that was flushed and it flew into a nearby aspen tree. On the 23rd we banded 37 birds of 11 species mostly caught during the last net run close to noon. Species banded include: Nashville, Myrtle, Black-throated Green and Black-and-white warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Common Yellowthroat and American Redstart. 3 Common Mergansers and a Traill’s Flycatcher were also observed for the day. Moderate west winds seemed to blow in some mixed flocks of warblers our nets were their busiest yet with 54 birds banded of 17 species for the day. We banded: Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Veery, Yellow, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Myrtle, Black-throated Green, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll and Black-and-white Warbler. 2 Great Blue Herons were seen flying in off Georgian Bay during census and 2 Common Mergansers were also seen. On the 27th an adult Bald Eagle was observed most of the morning as well as Sharp-shinned Hawk and Merlins. We banded American Robin, Blue Jay, Traill’s Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo, among other warblers. A Whip-poor-will has been heard on and off calling in the early morning during net opening. Our most exciting catch was a first for the station, a Long-tailed Weasel found in a middle panel of Net 15. Extraction was not pleasant.
Andrew