Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station 4/27/2026 first day

[Chicobander]

Hi all!

Glad to be back in Colorado! The banding station was only operated 2.5 hours after we set up nets. Interesting when the wind picked up from the north @ 11:00,  the birds seemed to drop into the olive grove around noon. It was as if they were working their way north and the wind stopped them in their flight. This afternoon there was lots of Hermit Thrushes, White-crowned Sparrows and more Wilson's and Yellow-rumped Warblers everywhere. Hoping tomorrow will be a good day!

The first day we banded 12 new birds and caught a returning American Robin Male that was banded as an adult in spring of 2022. This bird is at least 7 years old! The bird was banded as an adult in 2022 so it was at least in its third year of life. Good for him!

Eight new species were banded including two warbler species Orange-crowned and Myrtle subspecies of Yellow-rumped Warblers.

12 New Birds Banded

Orange-crowned Warbler- 1

Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler -1

Yellow-rumped Warbler intergrade-1 -Had mostly Myrtle charatewististics but had some yellow wash on the throat and the facial markings were not as distinct as would be on a Myrtle subspecies.

Northern House Wren- 1

Lincoln Sparrow- 1

Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 3

American Robin- 2

Blue Jay- 2

1 Returning bird from spring 2022

American Robin

Remember if you want to bird or visit the ranch please register on the Aiken Website www.aikenaudubon.com. Stop by the banding station to share your sightings. I would love to hear what you have seen.

Have a good birding day,

Julie Shieldcastle

Chico Basin Ranch Bander

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies