Looks like everything is about to head out soon. Lots of birds sound around but we only captured two species today. Gray Catbirds were hitting about every netand the ones they didn't hit they were still on one side or the other. They are very active and about to head North. We captured 13 new birds and one we banded last year. We captured 3 Carolina Wrens along the way. Most with brood patches. Babies are on the way! We usually get our last warblers and buntings around Earth Day. Hopefully that remains the same this next Sunday. Today's Totals Birds Processed New Recaptured Total ..read more

Beautiful weather today. Winds did not pick up until 9:30 and we wrapped up starting at 9:45 when the air changed and all activity dropped to zero. Still had some migrants getting ready to move North so it was a pretty nice day. First bird up was a Gray Catbird. We caught 3 today. They are getting restless and about to move out. Next was an Ovenbird. We had 2 today. Then, a recaptured House Wren. We captured 4 Carolina Wrens along the way. We ended with a new male Northern Cardinal. So, busier. Still waiting for the wave to show up for Spring migration. We still usually get som ..read more

We were hoping for migration to arrive today but no such luck. Turned out to be a very quiet day after a noisy danw chorus. But, we did have a nice surprise at the end of the morning. An early Common Yellowthroat gave us some hope that the day might be good. Followed by a recaptured Gray Catbird first baded a couple weeks ago. Then we spent most of the morning walking the lanes in bordom. Andrew decided to throw in the towel 30 minutes early. As nets were beginning to be put away, a bird was being walked back to the table. It turned out to be a Common Grackle! We have banded some at the ..read more

Two weeks in a row? Weather is beginning to be a little more cooperative. But, it didn't last too long for today. First bird of themorning was a new Gray Catbird. Then we got a nice migrant. A Northern Waterthrush. Better yet, it was a recapture. We had to dig through our data and were pleasently surprised to find we banded this bird as an adult almost excatly 6 year years ago! In the same area it was first captured. Thats site fidelity for ya. Alex got to release our Northern Waterthrush. Next up was a new Carolina Wren. Very sharp claws on this little bird. We caught a recapture ..read more

Rain still forecast for the AM when we set up. Not going to chance it. Maybe we can get soem fun birds for St. Patrick's Day. BUT, remember to Spring Forward. ______________________________________ Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 17th. All nets will be opened by 7:15 A.M ..read more

More rain predicted all Sunday. Sleep in and hope for next week. ______________________________________ Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 10th. All nets will be opened by 7:30 A.M ..read more

When we arrive in the mornings we always wonder what we are going to find. This morning we discovered a large chunk of oak tree had fallen and missed the pole for Net 7 by less than an inch. We were still able to set the net and the rangers will have a little chore next week. Spring has sprung a little early. At least thats what the Northern Parulas are telling us. They are back on their breeding grounds (here) in good numbers. But they stayed high in the trees today. Must trees are in bloom and attracting the most insects. Lower to the ground was our first Northern Cardinal, a female ..read more

We finally had a Sunday that we could band during, finally. It was a slow day as the wind picked steadily. We also had a feeling we would have to do some repairs after leaving the area to the bear for 3 weeks. Sure enough, there were 5 poles compromised. Later in the morning, we found a Bear Bed. Looks like it was used multiple times. We haven't run into the bear itself. We can keep it that way... Just at dawn we heard Catbirds sounding a little weird near the table. THey were headed toward Net2 so Andrew headed up to se if we would have a Catbird in the net. Nope. But we did have a new Ea ..read more

More rain. So wet this year and always on Sunday. We will try to be back on the 11th. Hopefully. February is always fickle, so who knows... ______________________________________ Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 11th. All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M ..read more

Can't catch a break this month. Rains are forcast at our time out this Sunday with winds increasing by the hour. Sleep in and maybe February will be more kind. Though, that is usually the month where we get some weird cold snaps and wild weather. ______________________________________ Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 4th. All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M ..read more