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Rouge River Bird Observatory |
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Rouge River Bird Observatory |
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September 1999:30 Sept: An Indigo Bunting was banded today (we don't get many in fall), and the first fall Swamp Sparrows arrived. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were first seen on 28 Sept, and Lincoln's Sparrows came in on 27 Sept.
Banding results 18 to 25 September: 5 days, 144 birds (107 new, 37 recaptures) of 22 species. Highlights were Connecticut Warbler #5, Sharp-shinned Hawk.. 25 Sept: The first Golden-crowned Kinglets arrive.
24 Sept: Still another Connecticut Warbler was banded today, along with fall's first White-crowned Sparrow. Thrush numbers remain high, with many more Gray-cheeks in the mix lately.
19 Sept: The first Yellow-bellied Flycatcher of the season was in the Craves yard today.
Banding results 14 to 18 September: 5 days, 191 birds (159 new, 22 recaptures) of 30 species. Highlights were WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, 2 Connecticut Warblers, 2 Field Sparrows, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blackburnian Warbler, and 55 Swainson's Thrushes. 17 Sept: Banded our first fall Yellow-rumped Warbler today. Swainson's Thrushes still going strong, and lots of White-throated Sparrows around. We also caught 4 Black-throated Blues, and saw another, kind of a lot for one fall day. In general, a good movement of migrants last night. The juvenile Double-crested Cormorant that has been hanging around the lake has been joined by a buddy.
16 Sept: Our first White-throated Sparrow for fall was banded today.
17 Sept: Gray-cheeked Thrushes finally arrive.
14 Sept: Today a potential first state WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE was banded. Separating this species from Eastern Wood-Pewee without the aid of vocalizations is nearly impossible in the field and very difficult in the hand. The bander's bible, Peter Pyle's 1997 book on identification of N.A. birds, gives several measurements having to do with tail length and primary feather extension. Those formulas matched for Western, which according to Pyle should identify over 97% of birds. The tail formula was especially far out of ranges given for Eastern. The entire lower mandible was black, which is uncommon to rare in Eastern. Other plumage characteristics given by Pyle also fit for Western, but there is a great deal of variability. Fall specimens of both species at the UMMZ in Ann Arbor were examined. A couple of major plumage characteristics concerning the general color of the upperparts, the contrast between crown/nape and back/rump, and the pale stripe bisecting the chest band (in Eastern) greatly Pyle's descriptions, and the scales were tipped even more heavily in favor of Western. The bird was an adult, based on the development of the skull, which helps eliminate some of the variability shown in younger birds.
Specimens will again be reviewed after prints and slides are developed, and others who have more experience with Westerns and the reliability of the various measurements, etc. will be consulted. Conclusive evidence may be in the form of DNA analysis from a feather sample. We are seeking an appropriate person to do the analysis.
Also banded were two more Connecticut Warblers, both adults, and one a truly stunning male.
Banding results 7 to 11 September: 5 days, 171 birds (140 new, 31 recaptures) of 26 species. Highlights were 24 species of warblers including Connecticut, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and a Wood Thrush color-banded as a young bird last year. 9 Sept: The fall's first Palm Warbler was banded today, and we finally caught one of the Red-breasted Nuthatches.
8 Sept: Finally, some Tennessee Warblers.
7 Sept: Another Connecticut Warbler was banded today. The Craves yard hosted a Cape May Warbler, first for fall. Red-breasted Nuthatches continue to be heard nearly daily.
5 Sept: A Double-crested Cormorant was hanging out at the lake.
Banding results 30 to 3 September: 5 days, 136 birds (98 new, 38 recaptures) of 24 species. Highlights were a Swainson's Thrush with two white wing feathers, and a chickadee from 1996. We are right on pace with last fall (which was our best ever) in spite of two rain days. 1 Sept: The season's first Connecticut Warbler was banded today, along with a slightly early Philadelphia Vireo. Finally caught a Least Flycatcher; empids have been scarce at this location so far this fall. A Common Loon was on the Rouge channel. But for two early winter records, all our other records are from spring.
Archived sightings
