Chatfield Banding Station, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 4-25-26

[Meredith McBurney]

Today was cool and grey, and a tad slower than yesterday, but not unusual for this early in the season.  

Biggest surprise of the day was a Gray Flycatcher, rarish and quite early - we have caught 10 in the past 18 years, and none before the middle of May.  (I think it is the earliest capture of any Empid at this station; they usually start to arrive about May 5.)

Another nice surprise was an older Spotted Towhee, banded has a young bird in 2022, so hatched in 2021.  And our first warbler of the season - a very bright Orange-crowned.

Here's a breakdown of today's 9 new and 3 returns:

Downy Woodpecker 1

Gray Flycatcher 1

Black-capped Chickadee 1, banded 2025

Northern House Wren 4

Hermit Thrush 1

Orange-crowned Warbler 1

Spotted Towhee 1, banded 2022

Song Sparrow 1, banded 2025

White-crowned Sparrow, Gambel's 1

We are banding Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) through May 31, weather permitting.  There are opportunities for the public to visit on weekends and early mornings most weekdays.  Reservations are required and can be made through the Denver Audubon website.  (Many/most sessions are already sold out, so sign up now if you are interested!)

Meredith McBurney
Bander, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies