Well, I said it would be a good day and it sure was a great day to be outside today! Cool temps kept the birds from being active early but once the sun warmed up the air the insects began to fly as did the birds. It was a steady day after it warmed up with us banding 200 new birds and 22 recaptures in 106 net hours. Another new bunch of Yellow Warblers came in overnight. Some had old bands on them and some needed some bling to be counted. Nineteen warblers were heard or seen on the site with 14 species being captured in the nets. The bestest warbler, Blackburnian was singing but did not come down from the treetops for a visit to the nets. That is okay I enjoy hearing them as well as seeing them. They have an electric buzz ending to their song which is distinctive. These were the species of warbler on site: Blue-winged, Tennessee, Nashville, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Myrtle, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Western Palm, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Prothonotary, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, and Hooded Warbler.
There are still not many thrushes around. It looks like the weather will turn around by Tuesday into Wednesday so watch the weather.
Our first hummingbird (Colibri Garganta Rubi) for the year:
See the feathers on the throat are ridged producing the color you see. Without the presence of light, the feather is black. That is why sometimes you see hints of orange and pink and red and black. It is how the light is reflecting and refracting light on the feather(s).
Take a look at this beautiful Cape May Warbler female: Isn't she gorgeous?! She is even wearing a hint of rust makeup on her cheek.
Another brilliant bird was this second-year male American Goldfinch. He is quite dapper; but looking at the lesser coverts they are still greenish compared to his other yellow feathers making him hatched last summer or a second-year bird.
If you have not heard there is a BIG Festival going on in the Lake Erie Marsh Region called the "Biggest Week in American Birding." We hope you can celebrate with us! There are a few programs still avialbale but regardless the birds are here for you to enjoy! Check out http://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/
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