Pictorial Highlights

August 6 - September 2, 2007 This early part of the fall banding season netted us 790 "new" birds of 62 species, plus 210 recaptures. Total banding effort was 2,500 net hours, giving a capture rate (for "new" birds) of 32 birds/100 net-hours. Our total for the period included 252 wood warblers of 23 species and 56 Empidonax flycatchers of five species (two of these lumped together as "Traill's").Top ten species banded during the period were Cedar waxing (99 banded), Gray Catbird (64), … [Read more...] about 2007 Late Summer

July 2007 During the second half of summer, our banding station operated on 23 days. We banded 679 birds of 55 species and processed 183 recaptured birds. Our total effort (1,820 net hours) was similar to June, when less than half as many (274) birds were banded, so the capture rate during the latter part of the summer period more than doubled to 37.3 new birds per 100 net hours. Locally breeding adults (usually in heavy molt) and young (Hatching Year) birds comprised most of our … [Read more...] about 2007 Summer

June 2007 The first half of summer banding marked the transition between spring migration and the summer breeding season at Powdermill. By the end of the period, some adults were even showing signs that their nesting efforts for the year were done, as is typical for certain species.In fact, it won't be long now before the first fall migrants will be on the wing and passing through. Because June is peak-breeding for many species, and daily turnover of individuals is low, the banding … [Read more...] about 2007 Early Summer

Late May 2007 During the final full week of the 2007 spring banding season at Powdermill, we banded just 127 birds of 32 species (including, however, one exciting new species for the season) and processed 48 recaptures, with a total effort of 1,165 net-hours (giving a very low capture rate of just 11 new birds per 100 net-hours). Our banding total did not exceed 30 birds on any day this week, and our species diversity maxed out at just 15. By comparison, the best single banding day … [Read more...] about 2007 Late Spring

Early May 2007 Through the first nine days of the month, 2,500 net hours of effort resulted in our banding a total of 646 birds of 60 species (26 birds per 100 net-hours); an additional 122 recaptures were processed. The best day was 8 May, when 122 birds of 35 species were banded; the capture rate of 30.5 birds/100 net-hours that day also is the highest recorded during the period. Top ten species so far in May are American Goldfinch (59 banded), Gray Catbird (58), Ruby-crowned Kinglet … [Read more...] about 2007 Spring

March - April 2007 Banding effort occurred on eighteen days during the month of March and we netted a total of just 150 new birds. Our highest count was 47 on the last day of the month and we had a maximum of twelve species on 3/18. With 128 banded, Dark-eyed Junco was far and away the most common species during the month.    The junco pictured to your left shows what is an uncommon (but by no means rare) plumage variation in the "Slate-colored" subspecies, distinct white … [Read more...] about 2007 Early Spring