WCMS Banding Results, 21-22 Sept., 2002

[catharus_thrush]

Banding Results for Wilson Creek MAPS Station, 5
Miles SW of Phillips, WI, USA. 21-22 September, 2002

Bander: Richard L. Roberts
45 Net hours 9/21 (9 nets for five hours), 31.5 net hours 9/22 (9 nets for 3.5 hours)

Species captured - 7
Individuals captured - 12

Weather: Temp. High: 60, Low: 38. Clear. Wind 5-10mph.

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Ovenbird - 1
Black-Capped Chickadee - 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
Hermit Thrush - 3
Nashville Warbler - 2
Magnolia Warbler - 2
Orange-crowned Warbler - 1

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Birds seen or heard in the area but not banded:


Cedar Waxwing
Broad-winged Hawk
Northern Goshawk (In tree next to cottage!)
Barred Owl (hooting on Saturday night).
Bald Eagle (Flyover)
Common Raven
Common Crow
American Robin
Common Flicker
American Goldfinch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Cedar Waxwing
American Redstart
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker (scared the hell out of me!)
Ruffed Grouse (numbers are down, only saw one)
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Notes:

The leaves are starting to get some color and the ferns are turning brown. I picked quite a few leaves out of the nets on Sunday. Fall is arriving in Wisconsin's Northwoods! The sky was clear and the air was cool and brisk both days. It was simply beautiful. I did not get up to the station until noon on the 21st, and opened the nets at 2:00 p.m. and had them open until dark. On the 22nd I opened the nets just before 6:00 a.m. and had them open until 9:30 a.m. I wish I could have had them open longer, as there were many migrants in the area, but I had to get back home by mid-afternoon. During the first net-check, there were two thrush-sized birds in net number one that managed to get out of the net before I could get to them, which was very surprising. There was a lot of activity at dusk the 21st, and I observed many various warblers flitting around in the trees, preparing to migrate. I was pleasantly surprised to capture a female Orange-crowned

I installed a bulk feeder near the banding camper. It's got separate compartments which can hold about 25 lbs. of seeds each, so I filled it with mixed seed on one side and sunflower seed on the other. I also attached a suet-cake holder to the side. Later in the fall I will set up a net or two next to it in order to capture and band Evening Grosbeaks and other winter birds such as Siskins, etc. I'll be hanging a thistle-seed feeder from it like I did with the one I have at my home. As I did with my home feeder, I put a six foot length of Stove-pipe around the post, so I won't have to worry about squirrels helping themselves to the seed.

I also set up two 60 mm mesh nets (so far) in anticipation of Saw-whet Owl banding in the middle of October. My next banding period will be the weekend of October 5th and 6th. New photos and information will be put on my website tonight, I hope.

[Steve]

Brilliant post Richard, a great read thanks:t:


steve

[paj]

Great post Richard.
Members are very impressed by the attention to detail.

paj:t:

[IanF]

A very interesting read, thankyou for that.

We actually had an Oven Bird over here this year too, but the powers that be have discounted it for the 'official record', apparently because a 'proper' birder didn't see it, despite the householder having taken decent enough photos of it in her garden to make a positive identification. I suppose if one made it, others may too

[catharus_thrush]

Originally posted by IanF
A very interesting read, thankyou for that.

We actually had an Oven Bird over here this year too, but the powers that be have discounted it for the 'official record', apparently because a 'proper' birder didn't see it, despite the householder having taken decent enough photos of it in her garden to make a positive identification. I suppose if one made it, others may too

Thank you all for the nice remarks!! Actually, Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) are the species that I capture the most of, it seems. The habitat is perfect for them, and in the spring, their loud "teacher, teacher, TEACHER!" song echos from every direction in contrast with the ethereal vocalizations of the local Hermit Thrush population. I was actually surprised to capture one last weekend (Ovenbird). I knew the locals were gone and I had thought that the rest had already migrated through. My web site is back up, by the way, after being hacked. Cheers! :cool: