Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report- May 25, 2026-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

[Chicobander]

Although it may be a solemn day for some since it is Memorial Day, I am truly grateful for all the sacrifices past and current veterans, and active personnel who have made America free. WE do not realize what freedoms we have until we lose them. Let's Not lose them. I get the opportunity to be here in CO to conduct bird research with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. I am certain that if I was in many other countries I would not have this privilege. 

Today was a nice day to be outside. We did have a couple new birds for the season including Indigo Bunting female and a Northern Mockingbird. A nice diversity of bird species of 22 species rounded out the morning for our catch of the day. A third Ovenbird and a second American Redstart was banded at the station this season. A light north wind still had us catching Hermit Thrushes; However, they were last year's hatch so most Hermit Thrushes should be completing migration soon.

61 New Banded Birds

Yellow Warbler- 1

American Redstart- 1

Ovenbird- 1

MacGillivray's Warbler- 5

Willow Flycatcher- 1

Traill's Flycatcher- 1 (Measurements were in the overlap area for Alder and Willow)

Western Wood-pewee- 3

Swainson's Thrush- 24

Hermit Thrush- 2

American Goldfinch- 2

Lincoln's Sparrow- 4

Lazuli Bunting- 1

Indigo Bunting- 1

Blue Grosbeak- 2

Lark Sparrow- 1

Mountain White-crowned Sparrow- 1

Bullock's Oriole-7

Gray Catbird- 1

Northern Mockingbird- 1

Blue Jay- 1

Common Grackle- 1

1 Return

Northern House Wren- banded last fall as a hatching year bird (returned to the same breeding area it was hatched)

The Banding Station will be open tomorrow through Saturday at Sunrise until @11 AM.

Register at Aiken Audubon website if interested in birding/visiting the ranch. www.aikenaudubon.com

Thanks again to all the veterans both past and present.

Have a good day,

Julie Shieldcastle

Bander Chico Basin Ranch

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies