This was the first "Yellow Warbler Day" in this strange season of mini-migration. We captured 11 YEWAs (yes, the code for Yellow Warblers has been changed), almost all in the 7:30 a.m. run, in nets near the big pond. (So far, there has been a pattern...the activity is in the first or second run, then almost nothing. ) The weather was cold and gray, but the nets were dotted with these bright yellow balls - all but one were adult males.
Of the 11 Yellows, 7 were new, 2 had been caught earlier this season, and 2 were long term summer residents recaptured for the first time this year - 1 banded 5/17/07 and the other 7/16/05. I think the bird from yesterday, which was banded 5/06, is probably the oldest. He was banded as an adult, which means hatch year 04 or before, whereas the one banded 7/05 was likely a HY bird at the time. But still..looks like some pretty healthy long-living Yellows at Chatfield! Other species caught today (1 each): Dusky Flycatcher (FOS), Gray Catbird, Orange-crowned Warbler (FOS), and Common Yellowthroat. Hope the weather cooperates and we are able to open tomorrow! Meredith McBurney Bander, Chatfield Station 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.
