fall warblers

the migration has stared in earnest, especially after the depression that moved through a week ago (bringing much needed rain); a plethora of species has been observed or banded, including truly migrants (i.e. no local breeders); Tennessee warbler, Blackpoll warbler, Cape May warbler, Palm warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher for example. The Olive-sided Flycatcher is the first fall sighting! It was sitting on top of the half-dead birch, close to the station.

We also captured the first Dark-eyed Junco, a young with still traces of juvenile plumage. A Pine Siskin has been heard and seen for the past days. A whip-poor-will can be heard at night across the basin, a wonderful sound that we'd like to hear more across the province...

Lots of Red-breasted Nuthatches are being observed, and captured as well, almost the most common songbird for now. Strangely enough, American Redstarts, usually plentiful, are quite rare. Could it be that the dry conditions during the summer reduced their breeding success?

the fall migration monitoring has begun!

but it still feels like summer, don't worry! The nets were opened again after the summer break on a warm dawn on August 16. Bird activity has been relatively slow, with mainly local birds being caught (American Redstart, Black-capped Chickadee, Gray Catbird). However, 2 truly early migrants were observed: an adult White-crwoned Sparrow on August 19 (it was maybe the same individual that was caught and banded today...); and a female Common Goldeneye on August 20 seen on Wingfield Basin.

there is also an abundance of Red-breasted Nuthatches, very vocal and the species most often caught in our nets!

eagerly awaiting more birds,

the bander is back at his post!