Bird Conservancy Banding Report - Chico Basin Ranch, 9/23/19

[Robert Snowden]

We had some nice weather and decent banding activity at Chico this morning: 33 newly-banded birds and 3 recaptures of 14 total species. 

Nothing too unusual species-wise, with Lincoln's Sparrows being the most-caught species of the day. We also had a Hermit Thrush that, based on its coloration and relatively small measurements, likely belongs to the "Pacific Lowlands" subspecies group that is not encountered very often out here. 

One of the recaptured birds was a Willow/Alder ("Traill's") Flycatcher that was banded last Thursday and then recaptured on Friday. This individual weighed 11.9 grams and 12.6 grams in those first two encounters, respectively, and today it weighed in at 13.6 grams. A great example of a migrant loading up on fuel supplies at a stopover site to prepare for its next long-distance flight! 

Today's summary:

Wilson's Warbler 8

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1

Clay-colored Sparrow 1

Orange-crowned Warbler 1

Warbling Vireo 1

Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon 1

Lincoln's Sparrow 9

White-crowned Sparrow, 2

Western Tanager 3 + 1 recapture

Blue Grosbeak 1

Hermit Thrush 1 + 1 recapture

Blue Jay 1

American Robin 4

Willow/Alder ("Traill's") Flycatcher 1 recapture

We are open 6 days a week, closed on Sundays. This week we're opening nets at 6:50 AM and closing at 11:50 AM, weather permitting. There will be a large school group visiting again tomorrow, so the best time to stop by to see birds without too much commotion will be between 7:00-8:30 AM. Come visit!

Robert Snowden

Bander, Chico Basin Ranch

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies