Final Day of Spring Banding

SpruceHaven

St. Agatha, ON

28 May 2017

     Today marked the end of our bird banding activities for this spring - and a fine day it was too, warm, little wind and a variety of species.

     The first significant capture was a Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus. I was especially happy with this prize since I had seen it recently for the first time since I have been "working" at SpruceHaven, and based on the vociferous and persistent calls from a second cuckoo, we concluded that we are dealing with at least one pair. In fact, a second Black-billed Cuckoo flew into one of the nets but escaped before we could get to the net to extract it. Perfect habitat exists for the species to breed at SpruceHaven and we will be vigilant to see if we can confirm nesting.

     Heather is away this weekend, hard at work in Banff, where they apparently had snow recently, but Daina came along to help as she does every weekend, and here she is paying careful attention to Kevin as he instructs her in the finer points of extracting a bird from the net quickly and efficiently.

     With the bird securely contained in a cloth bag, and clutching Kevin's stick (a kind of staff of office!) she leaves to go to the next net.

     Back at the picnic table which serves as our banding station, Kevin bands while Daina scribes, flashing her million dollar smile to indicate her joy at doing what she loves to do.

     Here Daina and Kevin are discussing some finer point of the species being banded.

     Her concentration is evident.

     The second species we were very happy to capture was a Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum, a first at SpruceHaven even though we know the species has bred there.

     Our bird banding operation presents a wonderful opportunity for Dave to be able to see the birds up close and he wastes no time in getting into position to observe.

     A female Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas was one of the last birds we trapped before closing down the nets until fall.

     It was with a good deal of satisfaction that we captured a Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia that we banded at SpruceHaven last year, viz. No. 258187820 banded as an adult on 20 August 2016. This was our very first recovery of one of "our" birds - we can only speculate where it might have spent the winter before coming home.

     Today also presented us with a chance to trap some of the adult Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica from the colony in the barn to see which birds have returned from their winter sojourn in South America

   . We did this but briefly, but nevertheless were delighted to note the following returnees.

Band No. 259188110, banded as an adult male on 22 June 2016

Band No. 259188128 banded as an adult male on 28 June 2016

Band No. 259188136 banded as an adult male on 13 August 2016

Band No. 259188111 banded as an adult female on 22 June 2016

     We really felt as though members of our family had come back home.

     We are very excited to be embarking on other scientific studies to try to help this species which is facing declining numbers. Our latest field of study will be to assess relative parasite loads between nests in old barns as compared with newer artificial structures, and the rate of brood success between the two types of nesting sites. Other potential studies are being contemplated also.

     Our old friend, Ross Dickson, dropped by this morning and we were all mightily delighted to see him. Ross is a licensed bander in his own right and a dedicated professional. He helped us to quickly process the Barn Swallows. Franc Gorenc also came to see us, camera in hand, looking as always for the perfect shot.
     Daina and I checked all our nest boxes and I am happy to report that we have three boxes occupied by Tree Swallows Tachycineta bicolor, two with eggs and one with young. The Eastern Bluebirds Sialia sialis appear to have fledged their young from another nest box and from what we can judge are preparing for a second brood.

      As we close down for a few weeks, I would be remiss if I did not express my thanks to Dave, Sandy and Jamie for the kindness they show us every day in giving us free range on this Shangri-La called SpruceHaven.

      Kevin Grundy, ever the consummate professional, not only elicits awe every time I see him in operation, but makes the morning entertaining in so many ways with his wry sense of humour and twisted wit!

      To Heather Polan and Daina Anderson I say welcome, welcome and welcome again to our team. You are stellar young women in every way, dedicated biologists, and an incredible asset to our group.

      You may wonder what I do - and it's not very much really. I have been fortunate to be able to assemble this team who do everything for me. How fortunate is that!

     We are looking forward to ever greater success in the future and to making a contribution to the welfare of the birds we love so much.

All species banded: Black-billed Cuckoo (1), Black-capped Chickadee (1), Barn Swallow (13), Brown Thrasher(1), American Robin (2), American Goldfinch(4), Common Yellowthroat (1), Red-winged Blackbird (1), Common Grackle (1), Song Sparrow (3).  Total: 28 individuals.