Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report- May 16, 2026-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

[Chicobander]

Another north wind overnight and during the morning did not bring any birds into the banding woods. Most of the captures were resident species. We did catch a Lark Sparrow which was a first of the year. She already had a brood patch forming so she will be nesting in the nearby grassland. We finally caught a thrush the last net check of the day- Hermit Thrush.

The Northern House Wren and Lazuli Bunting were banded last year and returned to the same breeding area again this year. 

15 New Banded Birds

Common Yellowthroat-2

MacGillivray's Warbler- 1

American Goldfinch- 6

Lazuli Bunting- 3

Bullock's Oriole- 1

Hermit Thrush- 1

Lark Sparrow- 1

2 Returns (Banded last year)

Northern House Wren

Lazuli Bunting

7 Recaptures (Banded this season)

Bullock's Oriole- 5

Yellow-breasted Chat- 1

Lincoln's Sparrow- 1

The Banding station will be closed tomorrow and reopen on Monday at sunrise. I am hoping the weather doesn't change- looks to be a SE wind Monday. Fingers crossed.

To bird on the ranch, please register online at www.aikenaudubon.com.

Remember to leave gates as you found them. Gates around the banding station need to be closed as they will be grazing cattle outside the banding area. The white rope fencing is electrified surrounding the woods at banding station. You can access the woods by entering the 4 fence gates (wooden fence) at banding station area. 

Have a good weekend,

Julie Shieldcastle

Bander, Chico Basin Ranch

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies