Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station Report- May 26, 2026-Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

[Chicobander]

A quiet day in the banding woods today. I believe the winds carried the migrating birds overtop and not many dropped into the woods for the day. The highlight for the day was a couple returning birds and a female Hooded Warbler. We are still catching male MacGillivray's Warblers so migration is not over yet. Just when you think there is not anything different around, a different species shows up. 

34 New Banded Birds

Yellow Warbler- 1

Hooded Warbler- 1

Common  Yellowthroat- 1

MacGillivray's Warbler- 4

Western Wood-Pewee- 1

Lesser Goldfinch- 1

American Goldfinch- 1

Lincoln's Sparrow- 3

Lazuli Bunting- 1

House Finch- 1

Swainson's Thrush- 16

Orchard Oriole- 1

Gray Catbird- 1

Common Grackle- 1

2 Recaptures (banded this season)

Orchard Oriole

Bullock's Oriole

(Both are breeding species in the banding area)

2 Returns- banded a different season

Orchard Oriole male- banded in spring 2024 as an adult- It is at least 5 years old.

Blue Grosbeak female- banded last spring as an adult- it is at least 4 years old.

Just shows that bird come back to the area they have been breeding. We may not catch them every year. However, humans should recognize when habitat is altered or destroyed the animals that rely on that habitat may not survive or have to search for suitable habitat elsewhere.

The Banding station will be open tomorrow through Saturday from sunrise until @ 11AM.

Remember to register online at the Aiken Audubon website to bird/visit the ranch. www.aikenaudubon.com

Stop by the banding station to share your sightings with us!

Have a good day,

Julie Shieldcastle

Bander, Chico Basin Ranch

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies