Chatfield Banding Station, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 5-1-26

[meredith]

We were rained out yesterday (2nd time this week).  I was thrilled to see clear skies this morning, and was expecting a lot of bird activity after so much clouds and rain.  But the birds slept in.....we banded our first bird at 9 and it continued to be slow the balance of the morning.

The most interesting capture was a female Pine Siskin with a full brood patch. This is only the 4th PISI ever caught at the station, and we are asking ourselves....they breed here?  In the Second CO Bird Breeding Atlas, Doug Kibbe writes, "Nomadic" and "opportunistic" are terms often used in describing the PISI's lifestyle.....shows little site fidelity".  Perhaps this year's unusual weather has had an impact on at least one pair. 

Here are the 13 birds caught for the first time this season:

White-breasted Nuthatch 2 (male and female caught together, in breeding condition - both had brood patches, as can occur with this species)

Northern House Wren 2

American Robin 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Myrtle 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Audubon's 2

Spotted Towhee 1 new, 1 banded last fall

Lincoln's Sparrow 1

White-crowned Sparrow, Mountain 1 (first of this subspecies this season)

Pine Siskin 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