banding at the Vestaburg station

This year's summer banding went out with a whimper today.  We opened all of the nets (29) and still only caught 18 individuals of 10 species of which 16 were new, one was a recapture and one was unbanded.  Ovenbirds ruled the day of mostly one hit wonders.  We captured a total of five ovenbirds and they were all HY birds that had already completed or were finishing up their pre-formative molt.  So, they all looked nice and fresh like this individual.

We had an early migrant Swainson's Thrush that was enjoying the fruit selection in the old field.  It was in the process of going through its pre-basic molt in preparation for its journey south.

A female second year Black-and-white Warbler was a nice addition to our list.  While we are within the breeding range for this species they don't nest at the bog.  So, this female undoubtedly finished her breeding somewhere else, probably nearby, and is completing her molt before migration.

Another probable migrant was this Winter Wren.  Winter Wren have nested at the bog and nest locally.   However, we had no evidence of a pair nesting here this summer.  We never had a male singing nor did we catch any individuals earlier in the season.  So this HY individual more than likely wandered into our station during its pre-migration dispersal.

We also still have babies coming off of the nest as evidenced by this juvenile Veery.  It is just beginning its pre-formative molt that will shed its spotty juvenal plumage for more adult-looking outerwear.

A Northern Waterthrush was a nice surprise as our own breeding individuals down in the bog seemed to be on break this summer.  Earlier in the season we only ever heard one singing male and only caught one individual at that time.  No more turned up in the nets throughout the summer.  This was a HY bird but it is hard to say whether it was born here or wandered in from elsewhere.

Finally, this Gray Catbird, while common showed incriminating evidence as to its lunch.  It was also captured in the field feasting on the assortment of berries found there and the tell-tale stains on its face (and adorning our carrying bags) are proof.

Here's the tally:

Black-capped Chickadee  1 R
Winter Wren  1 N
House Wren  2 N  1 U
Veery  1 N
Swainson's Thrush  1 N
Wood Thrush  3 N
Gray Catbird  1 N
Black-and-white Warbler  1 N
Ovenbird  5 N
Northern Waterthrush  1 N