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Archived Postings

September 26, 2005 – September 30, 2005

September 26 to September 30, 2005 This week marks the end of migration monitoring at the LSLBO for 2005. With so few migrants passing through and cooler morning temperatures, it was time to call it a season and take down the mistnets for the final time. A few migrants were seen around the banding lab during the last few days. A number of hermit thrushes passed by the lab; there was one even singing its little heart out. Expected late migrants consisting of Myrtle warblers, ruby-crowned kinglets, and orange-crowned warblers were frequently seen, but in very low numbers. An unexpected cape-may warbler was spotted on the 29, which was a nice observation for the end of migration monitoring. Overall, it was a good fall with 1907 birds banded. Most of the birds were banded during the first half of fall migration. Nets were relatively quiet late August through September. Species diversity was on par with previous years. 57 species were banded, including the standard species which are expected and a few bonus species like the varied thrush and brown creeper. Species such as the savannah sparrow, fox sparrow, palm warbler, northern flicker, and yellowed-bellied sapsucker were absent from the banded species list this fall. A few individuals of these species usually show up in the nets every fall, it was a bit disappointing that they were missed this year. Northern saw-whet owls are moving. During this last week of September there have been some busy banding nights, including a night where 14 saw-whets were banded. By the 30th, a total of 92 saw-whets have been banded. The banding total for 2004 was 91 saw-whets. Last years banding total has already been broken, and there is still at least two weeks of banding to go. It is surprising that no other species of owls have been captured yet this year - only a few barred owls have been heard in the area (which is still a very good thing). The high expectations of catching boreal owls or even a long-eared owl are quickly diminishing. Now that songbird monitoring has ended, this will be the last update for the 2005 season. Keep tuned to the LSLBO’s website (www.lslbo.org) for more detailed results of the banding season. The website will also have information on upcoming winter activities that the LSLBO will be involved with, like the Christmas Bird Count. Owl monitoring will continue until the end of October, but not nightly. Anyone still interested can contact Amy Wotton at (780) 849-7117 or birds@lslbo.org, to find out exactly what is going on. It’s been a great year and looking forward to what 2006 will bring.

2010