Its now been two days since the last arrival and they are still here! The days catch was 137 birds with a further 71 retraps of mainly Golden-crowned Kinglets and White-crowned Sparrows. However we had a late female Black-throated Blue Warbler and two more Fox Sparrows along with 58 Golden-crowned Kinglets (31 retraps).
20th Oct – shrike surprise 2
Well would you believe it a second Shrike appeared today and once again it was in a net. This time a juvenile bird that equals the previous best fall record of a bird that isn’t caught every year. Kinglet numbers were still high with 90 new Golden and 15 Ruby-crowned. In the afternoon conditions weren’t easy looking out over the lake but I managed to find 5 Surf and the 6 Black Scoters bobbing up and down long with 200 White-winged Scoters, 30 Horned Grebes, 30 Long-tailed Ducks and a Black Duck.
Northern Shrike
19th Oct – cracked 100
The day started calm and frosty as the sun started to rise over the lake. Straight away birds were seen heading over the point with up to 400 Red-winged Blackbirds and small groups of Chickadees with a final count of 50. The nets produced the highest catch of the week with 174 birds banded and we also reached 100 species and forms with the addition of Red-winged Blackbird to the fall list. I must say that there is little variety in the birds present now as the bulk was 98 Golden-crowned Kinglets. However there was one surprise find when an adult Northern Shrike appeared in a net.
Northern Shrike
18th Oct – scoter trio
Another sunny day with a light Northeast wind meant raptors were on the move again as we caught an amazing 8 Sharp-shinned Hawks with a further 50 estimated flying over. Also heading over in the first 2 hours of daylight were a Bald Eagle, 6 Red-tailed Hawks, Goshawk, 100+ American Robins and a Buff-bellied Pipit. As the day progressed the wind died down to nothing making ideal conditions for grilling the lake. Straight away I started scanning the White-winged Scoter flock that numbered 400, it wasn’t long before I came across 14 Surfs and then 6 Blacks. Other ducks included the return of 8 Long-tails, 14 Bufflehead as well as the very distant Scaup flock now estimated at 3000 (could be any number really). Not so many Grebes with just 4 Horned and 1 Red-necked but down around the lighthouse was a flock of 6 Dunlin.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Tonight the Owls finally got going with 69 Saw-whets caught as well as 5 controls, also we caught another grey Eastern Screech Owl and a Barred Owl. The Barred Owl also had a second friend as they both caused mischief around the nets.
17th Oct – geese head south
As we walked out of the building at first light we immediately saw a flock of 60 Atlantic Black Brant flying low over the lake heading south. Today was a much better day for raptor watching as the sun was shining. Throughout the day I personally managed to see a Red-shouldered Hawk, 2 Northern Harriers, 2 Goshawks, 6 Red-tailed and 8 Sharp-shinned Hawks. Also on the move were 210 Common Grackles and 20 Red-winged Blackbirds. Out of the nets came an Orange-crowned, Nashville and 2 Myrtle Warblers. 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
16th Oct – late warbler
Much the same as yesterday for both the weather and birds. Overhead a Red-tailed Hawk drifted over as did 11 American Crows. Out of the nets came 23 Golden and 18 Ruby-crowned Kinglets but by far the biggest surprise was as I pulled out a Yellow-breasted Chat from a bag! This being only the 2nd bird of the year and over 2 weeks later than any previous records for the Kingston area. The night owling was hampered by the presence of a Barred Owl but thankfully there was very little food around.
Yellow-breasted Chat
15th Oct – quiet start
A strong Northeast wind continued to blow as we managed to band 74 birds. 13 were Ruby-crowned and 10 were Golden-crowned Kinglets along with 3 Blue-headed Vireos. Sparrows were active around the ground traps with 8 White-crowned, 4 White-throated, 2 Song and a Chipping all being new. In the evening a pair of Northern Cardinals made a brief visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment