As we banded over the past 6 days - while setting up the station, orienting our new-to-RMBO banders, then celebrating our official opening of the season as part of BBQ for the Birds - I've wondered.. were we really catching a lot more Yellow Warblers? So, I've counted. Turns out we have caught twice as many Yellows (91 vs 45), while being way behind in total numbers (135 vs 208). By this time last year we had banded 72 Wilson's, compared with 18 this year, plus we'd caught our first of many other migratory species. Is it the heat? Whatever, most of the birds we've caught so far have been likely summer residents that have yet to move on.
Here's the rundown for Tuesday through Sunday (6 short days; we've closed by 10 a.m. every morning because of the heat): Hairy Woodpecker 1 Western Wood-pewee 1 Willow Flycatcher 1 Warbling Vireo 2 House Wren 17 American Robin 1 Gray Catbird 1 Yellow Warbler 88 new; 3 returns, 1 banded in 2003, 1 in 2008, and 1 in 2009 American Redstart 1 Common Yellowthroat 2 Wilson's Warbler 18 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 American Goldfinch 1 (female with a brood patch) We will be closed tomorrow, Monday, 8/29. Then, open every day through Labor Day. The Labor Day weekend should be a great time to visit - no formal groups scheduled! Let's hope for slightly cooler weather.. Meredith Meredith McBurney Bander, Barr Lake State Park Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
