Bird Conservancy Banding Report - Chatfield 5/13/19

[Meredith McBurney]

The morning started great and then tapered off quickly as the temperature rose.  In our first hour or so we had 6 warbler species, including 2 fairly unusual (American Redstart and Northern Waterthrush) and our first Catbird and Cedar Waxwing.  Five birds banded in prior seasons.  

But, since this is the day after Mother's Day, I want to pay tribute to another of today's captures, a bird who should get an award for the best bird mom of all time!  She is an American Robin that we caught today - we were just arriving at the net when she flew in.  She had a brood patch that was declining, indicating that her young had probably hatched.  We then realized that she had a plump and juicy earth worm hanging out of her mouth, which she was not eating; we figured she was on her way back to the nest to feed her young.  All good mothering behavior!  But here's the kicker - she was missing most of one foot, either from birth or due to a long ago injury we could not tell.  So, a bird who managed to grow up, find a mate, hatch eggs and was now feeding young all with one foot!  What strong maternal instincts!!

Here's the breakdown of the 21 new birds for the day:

House Wren 5

American Robin 1

Gray Catbird 1

Cedar Waxwing 1

Orange-crowned Warbler 1

Yellow Warbler 3, 1 banded in each 2016, 17, and 18

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Myrtle 1

American Redstart, 1 banded 2017

Northern Waterthrush 1

Common Yellowthroat 1

Yellow-breasted Chat, 1 banded 2015

Lincoln's Sparrow 4

We will be open daily, WEATHER PERMITTING, through May 31, except for Memorial Day. We are opening nets at 6:30, and most days will have birds back at the station by 7:15. We aim to close by noon most days, earlier if it is very hot, very cold, or very windy. Registration is required for all weekend visitors; see the Denver Audubon website to sign up. Individuals may visit weekdays without registering before the school groups arrive, which is usually around 10 a.m. 

Come visit!

Meredith McBurney

Bander

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies