Half a morning of banding
House Wren (baby)
This Saturday morning we had a superb start at the CLDC MAPS banding station but then . . . . (to be continued)!!! We banded only 6 species, recaptured 9 individuals and placed new bands on 8 birdies (17 total captures). Species banded included Blue-winged Warbler, Gray Catbird, Song Sparrow, Field Sparrow, House Wren and a first for the year bird for me (also to be continued ).
Blue-winged Warbler
Visitors included some of our friends from Jamestown Audubon (hey LOB ) and our friends from Michigan (hey kids). Young Naturalist J , Kyle and Jennifer were the banding assistants for the day. Other helpers included Young Naturalist H and Young Naturalist D who didn’t get an opportunity to do much because of the weather! I do appreciate everyone’s help and taking the time to visit the banding station on this crazy morning!
Canada Warbler
Okey Dokey . . . here is the low-down on what happened! I had faith that the weather man’s prediction of “rain before sunrise and very isolated showers in the late morning” would actually happen! But up to about 8:30 in the morning the NEXRAD Radar was clear and we continued doing net-checks as normal day. We had a smaller group doing our checks and found the most amazing little bird in net 9! I put the pressure on Kyle and said don’t loose this bird (as he removed it from the net)!! Young Naturalist J and I were radiating the excitement making Kyle a little nervous . . . although he perfectly took the bird out!! We couldn’t believe that we just captured a Canada Warbler (CHECK)!!!
Young Naturalist J banding the Canada Warbler
As if it was a sign from above . . . . “you just captured the best bird of the season and now comes the rain”!!! Boy did it rain and 3 of us quickly started closing all 10 nets getting absolutely drenched (lucky all of the nets were empty)! It always happens this way and as soon as we finish closing nets . . . the rain finally stops! We then turned around and proceeded to opening all of the nets again!!
Young Naturalist J took this of the storm coming
The skies were clear, nets were open and NEXRAD was showing a larger storm moving our direction!! Decisions, decisions . . . we finally decided to end the day and take down all the nets “again”!! Well this time before the storm hit and boy did it hit just as we were driving away!!
My Rainy Drive Home
Be sure to check out Jennifer’s version of the day at: A Passion for Nature
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Oh what a lovely Canada!
Congrats on your “half a banding morning” It’s always such a “should we, shouldn’t we” decision! And it seems we hardly ever make the right one 😀
28 June 2008 at 4:55 pm
What an adventure! Our nearby banding station is closed until fall and I miss it.
28 June 2008 at 7:14 pm
@ Marg – thanks and wish we had the second half done ! Looks like with weather I will not be able to open tomorrow also!
@ Birdfreak – thanks and fall will be here quicker than we all expect!
28 June 2008 at 7:51 pm
What great birds you have banded. It is felt we have had a lucky spring when we get to see a Canada Warbler let alone hold one in hand. GREAT.
28 June 2008 at 9:00 pm
Tom – Thanks again for another exciting morning. Great birds – the Canada Warbler was a thrill!
You and your team of banders and helpers worked so hard this AM. We appreciate your dedication to banding and teaching.
28 June 2008 at 9:44 pm
How great to get a Canada Warbler! The weather seems to change so fast in our area. Blackberries are surely the way to go so you don’t give up a whole day because of the weatherman’s predictions.
28 June 2008 at 10:46 pm
Good decisions! fitting in the banding before the rain. Once again, fabulous close-ups.
28 June 2008 at 10:52 pm
Lovely photos.
28 June 2008 at 11:04 pm
I’m hearing baby wrens chirping inside the house, but haven’t seen any in the backyard yet.
I just love seeing all of your close-up photos of the birds you’re banding.
28 June 2008 at 11:24 pm
Sounds like you timed your day perfectly!
28 June 2008 at 11:57 pm
A Canada Warbler – woo hoo!! Rain, boo hoo. I mean, I’m glad it’s raining.
29 June 2008 at 7:24 am
Well of course I like the wren picture best, but they are all great. It makes we want to find someone banding near here and visit.
29 June 2008 at 9:15 am
Your half a morning was a great one. Once again, terrific photographs. Kudos to the young naturalists.
29 June 2008 at 1:53 pm
Even though, by now I expect to see unbelievable images like these when you are banding, it still just makes my jaw drop in amazement! Send some of that rain down South, would ya? :c)
29 June 2008 at 1:58 pm
@ Lisa – thanks and I really love finding Canada Warblers in the hand or not!
@ LOB – So glad that you joined us and maybe you can return again before the season ended! I really appreciate all the helpers that volunteer their time to help!
@ Linda – they are such a great bird! I am not sure if I could live without my blackberry!
@ NatureShutterbug – Thanks and I almost thought about chancing it! Glad I didn’t!
@ andrealudwig – thanks
@ RuthieJ- they wrens are little dickens to band! Babies are not any easier!
@ Nina – could have been worse! We had Tornado Warnings today!
@ Pam – the Canada is a great bird! Thanks
@ Wren – You should try and find one near your home! You can really learn more about the birds when you have them up close . . . you learn to look for certain features when you see them out in the field!
@ ncmountainwoman – Thanks and you are very kind!
@ jayne – blush . . . you are too kind! I would be happy for you to take all our rain!
29 June 2008 at 9:12 pm
That Canada Warbler is a great bird! Glad to see Kyle has gotten down there a few times, he’s the most recent birdnerd…we’re so proud! lol
30 June 2008 at 9:38 am
Outstanding photos! I was happy just to get a good look at a Canada Warbler this year.
30 June 2008 at 10:13 pm
@ Bethany – Kyle is doing great and glad to have his help! Now if we can get the rest of your guys down!
@ Larry – thanks and they are such great birds !
2 July 2008 at 11:30 pm