Migration this last week has been pretty slow, with anywhere from 3 to 16 birds banded each day. We have had our first returning bird from another year; an Ovenbird banded during the fall 2012 season. Worm-eating warblers and Ovenbirds were the dominant species, although we captured 5 more Swainson’s warblers in the last two days.
New species banded for the season included this Great crested Flycatcher and this unknown Empidonax flycatcher, who shared characteristics of both Yellow-bellied and Acadian flycatchers.
Our new volunteers are settling in and learning how to safely handle the birds. Here Nicolas Porcelli has brought back a couple of goodies to the tent. Birds are removed from the nets and placed in bags where they are safe and generally stay calm while they wait their turn for banding.
Nicolas gently holds and releases a Worm-eating warbler.
This Worm-eating warbler was reluctant to leave Jenn Sweatman’s hands and actually perched on her finger briefly before flying away.
Graceful hands!
Sandy Milledge smiles with a Northern waterthrush.
I WANT A WWF PANDA V-NECK!!
AWESOME! I wish I was there! No Empids in the Keys that I saw, but plenty of waterthrushes (only 1 LOWA) and quite a few Worm-eatings. LOTS of Bobolinks around!