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2011 Late Fall

Although we had a very average September (numerous days with southeast winds did not help), captures dramatically increased in October. A high diversity of warblers remained through early October, and they were replaced by exceptionally high numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers. We also were fortunate to capture some rather unusual species.

Pine Warbler

One of 3 Pine Warblers banded on a single day in early October. We only capture about one of these a year, making 3 in a day quite a surprise.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

One of the 28 Black-throated Blue Warblers banded in October.  This adult female was the last of the season and was captured on October  22.  BTBWs can double brood and, as a result, are known to be late migrating warblers.

adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler

This adult male Chestnut-sided Warbler was migrating through unusually late when it was captured and banded on October 26.

Orange-crowned Warbler

A more typical capture in mid October - An Orange-crowned Warbler.

Yellow-rumped Warbler with spread wings

We had a near record year for Yellow-rumped Warblers as 959 of them were banded. All but 9 were banded in October as they moved through in very high numbers during a period of a couple weeks. This individuals was identified as a hatching year bird with an unusual amount of juvenile feathers in the greater coverts (outer 5). Since Setophaga (previously Dendroica) warblers often replace some greater coverts during the pre-alternate molt, this bird may have 3 generations of feathers within the greater coverts during next spring/summer.

Yellow-rumped Warbler in a tree covered with poison ivy berries

It is well known that Yellow-rumped Warblers often consume poison ivy berries during fall migration, and the abundance of these berries at Powdermill is one reason we were able to band so many YRWAs this fall. Pictured is a bird preparing to forage on poison ivy berries.

Carolina Chickadee pictured next to a drawing of the same bird in a book

This Carolina Chickadee banded in October was a first of the year capture. Notice the very gray colored greater coverts. Small wing and tail measurements confirmed this to be a Carolina rather than the more common Black-capped Chickadee.

Carolina Chickadee with spread wings

An open wing photo of the same Carolina Chickadee.

Wilson's Snipe

One of 2 Wilson's Snipes captured this fall.

hatching-year Wilson's Snipe with outstretched wings

An open wing photo of the snipe. The molt limits among the wing coverts identified this as a hatching-year bird.

head of an American Bittern

Probably the most unexpected bird captured this fall (but check the sparrow page) was the American Bittern. This was only the 5th Am. Bittern banded at Powdermill over 50 years!

American Bittern held by a researcher

Although the bittern growled nearly the entire time it was being processed, it was not too aggressive with its bill.

blurry photo of an American Bittern flapping its wings and trying to take off

The bittern flying off after its release.

Green Heron

Another nice wading bird capture was this Green Heron.

Sharp-shinned Hawk with spread wings

A hatching-year Sharp-shinned Hawk was one of only three banded this fall.

Eastern Screech Owl with open wings

Our only Eastern Screech Owl was banded in October.

Pileated Woodpecker, a black and white bird with a bright red crest on its head

We had good luck with Pileated Woodpeckers with 3 being banded this fall. Two of them were captured together in the same net!

Cedar Waxwing eating crabapples

Flocks of Cedar Waxwings were around the banding area for several weeks in late October as they took advantage of the abundant fruit resources.

dramatic photo of a bird dropping a berry from its beak

Oooops, dropped the fruit!

These colorful images were taken by Fabian Meijer. He seems to have a knack for capturing great photos when only having a few spare minutes!

Osprey flying in clear blue sky

An Osprey flying over the ponds at the station.

Ruffed Grouse

A Ruffed Grouse strutting along the side of a local road.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet in a bush

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet on a sunny fall day.

Ovenbird in a tree with a yellow sunrise in the background

A late migrating Ovenbird in the morning sun.

Saw-whet Owl in an evergreen tree

One of the 10 Saw-whet Owls banded at Powdermill this fall. We also captured 2 owls banded somewhere else and are waiting to hear where those birds came from.

Pied-billed Grebe swimming in a pond

A Pied-billed Grebe on Crisp Pond (largest pond in the banding area)

A Little Brown Bat found roosting on the exterior of the maintenance barn.

pond in the fall with colorful trees

A view in front of the banding lab on a brisk fall evening.

a red sky reflected in a pond

The same view at dawn just before a strong storm system passed through.

Again, we thank Fabian Meijer for a number of great photos of birds in the hand and the bush.

Powdermill Avian Research Center sponsored in part by Colcom Foundation and the Laurel Foundation.
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