Today got off to a very slow start, however, a few runs into the day we began discovering new birds in the nets. Perhaps it was a late arriving wave of migration, or the birds were late risers, but some new birds had definitely found our little island.
The most numerous, and perhaps most fun, were the Red-breasted Nuthatches. Over the course of the day we banded 8 – all AHY and a mix of male and female. Other new for the season birds included 3 Traill’s Flycatchers, 1 HY-F Bay-breasted Warbler, and 1 AHY-M Cape May Warbler. We also banded 7 American Redstarts – all AHY. The Cape May in particular was a fun bird to work through given that it would definitely fall under the heading of “confusing fall warbler.” Some of the key markers we look for to age and sex when they are in their breeding plumage are absent in their non-breeding plumage. We also captured our first Cedar Waxwing after seeing and hearing them in the shrubbery by the banding station and net lanes all day. At one point, while Peg was sitting under the White Poplar, the waxwings were raining poop down on her. She was not particularly appreciative.
The Cedar Waxwing was perfectly timed to be shown to the Rye Historical Society group that was visiting the banding station.. David talked them through our banding process with a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and then we shared the waxwing quickly before they headed back to their boat.
Around the island Rebecca was thrilled to find – and correctly id! – a Lark Sparrow. Fortunately, it continued to forage on the road by the swale and so everyone was able to see it and get some pictures. We were also entertained by a young Herring Gull who has become very omnivorous in their feeding behavior. First, we found them eating an apple that had been left behind by our island apple pickers – they would grab it and run whenever we got too close to them. Later they were discovered with a stick. Perhaps not as tasty, but we hope that these behaviors bode well for their making the transition from being fed by their parents to fending for themselves.
| Downy Woodpecker | 1 |
| Traill’s Flycatcher | 3 |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | 8 |
| Gray Catbird | 13 |
| Cedar Waxwing | 1 |
| Song Sparrow | 2 |
| Northern Waterthrush | 5 |
| American Redstart | 7 |
| Cape May Warbler | 1 |
| Bay-breasted Warbler | 1 |
| TOTAL | 42 |
| TOTAL FOR SEASON | 137 |