[MASSBIRD] Banding Surprise

[Barbara M Volkle]

Thanks to Strickland Wheelock for this report.

Barbara Volkle
Northborough,MA
bar...@theworld.com

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Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2023 19:27:17 +0000 (UTC)
From: Strickland Wheelock <skwhe...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Banding Surprise


Interesting & welcomed surprise while banding this morning at this
private residence in Uxbridge - a Pine Siskin mixed among the many Am
Goldfinch netted this warm morning. Not sure if this means anything on
forecasting what this winter brings, but early this fall, I started
catching Juncos & Wht-thr Sparrow - way earlier than normal for me - now
a Pine Siskin - now waiting for the Redpolls.Each morning like this
morning, catching many Goldfinches [15 to 20] along with several Juncos,
Wht-thr & Song & Swamp & Chipping Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers -
yesterday 7 Ruby-cr Kinglets to add to the mix - basically all the
traditional fall mix is back along with the Cardinals, Blue Jays,
Titmouse, Chickadees, Carolina Wrens - then throw in a Chat, Blue-headed
Vireo, Savannah Sparrow, Yellow-b Sapsucker, Downy Woodpeckers to add
variety. The catbirds now seemed gone from the daily mix - did have a
Bald Eagle & Red-tailed Hawk soar over along many Red-w Blackbirds, N
Flickers, Red-b Woodpeckers & expected species.

Will be interesting what this cold weather will bring for new migrants &
departing migrants. Nearby another bander is doing a study on migrating
Saw-whet Owls that banded 4 last Tues but with the winds now coming from
the south, basically zero movement - next week the owls should be moving
at a good clip once the winds shift from the north - one such movement
in the past, we banded 55 Saw-whets in one evening.

Strickland Wheelock
Uxbridge MA