Passerine banding this Fall has been conducted by a dedicated group of
volunteers. We are building on the training started last year and have
several returning volunteers
The season has been slower than
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| Courtesy of Ken Zakovich |
fall 2012
with 672 birds banded through September 8th. The variety has been
similar, but overall numbers are down. Hopefully things will improve
later this month. Highlights so far are 21 species of warblers banded,
including a stunning male black-throated blue warbler on 9/7. We also
banded several black-throated green warblers including this beautiful
male on 9/7. We look forward to a great next week or two with many days
of >50 birds banded. More updates to follow.
-- David Alexander
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| Merlin - Courtesy of Chris Neri |
The raptor banding project began on August 15th at
the main station, and increased to three stations on September 2 with
Paine Farm and Moose Valley starting up. Chris Neri and Nova Mackentley return for their third year as raptor banders.
August was an average month
with 85 birds banded. August 30th was a great day with a hatch year Bald Eagle and a hatch year Peregrine Falcon banded at the main station. The
numbers for Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel were lower than
expected in August. We banded 130 birds so far in September including 4
Northern Harriers, 110 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 7 Red-tailed Hawks, one
Broad-winged Hawk, and 8 Merlins. The September numbers show some
improvement, but are still lower than average.
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| Male Northern Harrier - Courtesy of Chris Neri |
One reason for the lower than average numbers this
fall is the weather: days of extremely hot weather, followed by cold,
moist days of east winds discouraged migration. Winds are predicted to
shift to a more favorable West/Northwest direction later this week. That
should bring the first real push of Sharp-shinned Hawks and
Broad-winged Hawks for the season. Hopefully some will be banded and
available for public education programs at the overlook.
-- Frank Nicoletti, Banding Director
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