Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station 4/28/2026

[Chicobander]

First full morning of banding produced a couple surprises even for Band Manager Colin Woolley. Highlight of the day was a Lucy's Warbler which is the first ever banded at Chico Basin Ranch. Even though it would be hard to beat that nice bird, catching a Hairy Woodpecker is pretty crazy as well.

Fourteen bird species were captured and banded including 5 warbler species ( Lucy's, Virginia's, Orange-crowned, Common Yellowthroat, Audubon's and Myrtle (Yellow-rumped). Hermit Thrushes have been numerous around the banding station the past couple days.

For the past 2 days birds were active around 9-10 am and then after 11 am. This is most likely due to waves of birds filtering north during the day. Not sure what the weather will produce later this week as far as migrants. It will be interesting to see.

32 New Banded Birds

Lucy's Warbler- 1

Virginia's Warbler- 1

Orange-crowned Warbler- 2

Common Yellowthroat- 1

Audubon's (Yellow-rumped) Warbler- 2

Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler -1

Northern House Wren- 2

Hermit Thrush- 9

Field Sparrow -1

Lincoln's Sparrow- 2

Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow- 6

Mountain White-crowned Sparrow- 1

Hairy Woodpecker- 1

American Robin- 2

1 Recapture -banded yesterday and gained weight

Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler

The banding station will be operating 6 days a week, Monday - Saturdays through June 6th from sunrise to around 11 AM. Please stop by the station and share your sightings.

Birding the ranch requires signing up on the Aiken Audubon website www.aikenaudubon.com

Enjoy the day,

Julie Shieldcastle

Chico Basin Ranch Bird Bander

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

[Kevin Schutz]

Fantastic Julie!  A Lucy's Warbler!  Amazing.

Kevin Schutz

El Paso Cnty