The absolute opposite to yesterday as strong westerly winds prevented the nets from being opened. A walk to Traverse Wood could only find a few birds skulking around on the floor searching for food. 20+ Hermit Thrush, 14 Myrtle, 4 Black-throated Blue, 1 Ovenbird and a Western Palm Warbler were noted. Along the road was a dead Milk Snake, just another road casualty!
Black-throated Blue Warbler
6th Oct – Hermits turn
Over night a slight switch from west to northwest winds delivered another wave of birds. Right from the start it was obvious that it was the turn of the Hermit Thrush along with more Ruby’s. Banding total for the day was 303 with 96 Hermit Thrush and 57 Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Followed by 39 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 18 Myrtle Warblers, 8 White-breasted Nuthatch, 8 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a very late Black-billed Cuckoo. (still waiting for a yellow!!!!!!) 3 Ravens flew over calling. 
Hermit Thrush
5th Oct – another hundred
Much the same as yesterday with just over a hundred banded. Best being an Orange-crowned Warbler and Northern Parula. 47 Red-breasted Mergansers were off shore with a Great Black-backed Gull as the skies were owned by a Cooper’s Hawk, 2 Red-tailed Hawks and a Merlin.
4th Oct – 5000 reached
As the wind blew from the west were received the odd light shower. Banding was able to continue with 130 birds caught, there was nothing out of the ordinary but today was special as American Goldfinches crept passed 2000 with 32 banded. Another landmark was reached as we made it to 5030 birds banded for the season. Out on the lake a group of 6 White-winged Scoters flew by. 
Blue-headed Vireo
3rd Oct – evening surprise
A calm sunny morning gave the chance for birds to leave over night as numbers dropped to 70 birds. At first light a Wild Turkey was strutting around the harbour calling loudly as 4 Ruffed Grouse were seen around the net rides. The grouse are now a daily occurrence with birds jumping into nets nearly ever other day. Two Spotted Sandpipers dropped into the lighthouse mid Afternoon as a male Scarlet Tanager flitted around the trees.
After dark and I was up for my four hour stint owling after opening at 19:15 hrs. The first net check had a cracking surprise as an Eastern Screech-owl was found with one Saw-whet. Later checks found a control Saw-whet as well as 2 bats.
Eastern Screech-owl
2nd Oct – return of an old friend
An overcast day as the wind blew from the south. Banding was still good with over 150 caught including a second late Wood Thrush, 42 Ruby-crowned and 12 Golden-crowned Kinglets. Warblers present were 3 Magnolia, 6 Nashville, 7 Black-throated Blue, 9 Myrtle, American Redstart and an Ovenbird. However the biggest turn up was a Broad-winged Hawk that lumbered into the swamp net, more surprising is that its one we banded nearly a month ago! Just where has it been hanging out all that time without being seen? And that wasn’t all, after we released it, yep you guessed it, it flew straight back into the exact same spot of the swamp net. Thankfully it was a very quiet bird and probably very happy after gaining 130 grams since early September. 
Black-throated Green Warbler
1st Oct – new month starts with a bang!
Continuing on from the end of last week we were kept very busy out at the nets. A high percentage of the catch was 56 Blue-headed Vireos, 54 Ruby and 26 Golden-crowned Kinglets along with 34 Black-throated Blue Warblers and 8 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. As the morning progressed we picked up 4 new species, which were Wood Thrush, Pine Warbler, Swamp Sparrow and Rusty Blackbird. 
Orange-crowned Warbler
After finishing banding I took a walk around to the lighthouse where there were even more birds. Most numerous where 60 Myrtle Warblers and 40 White-throated Sparrows with a mix of 30 Black-throated Blues, 4 Black-throated Greens, 8 Blackpoll, Northern Parula, Tennessee and Orange-crowned Warbler, 10 White-breasted Nuthatch and 3 Scarlet Tanagers. Evening netting was rewarded with 6 Northern Saw-whets as a Great Horned Owl could be heard calling in the distance.
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