Spring is Getting Closer

Today's banding at Erie Bluffs was cut short by rain at 11 AM, but I was still able to band 27 birds, among them several new migrants. Firsts of the year included a Least Flycatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart and a Field Sparrow. I also had a singing Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Wood Thrush, but they avoided the nets. So let's look at some of the birds i was able to catch.

I just love looking at White-throated Sparrows. They're so striking this time of year.

A Black-and-white Morph

A Tan-striped Morph

The tan-striped might not be as pretty, but does make up for it in personality.

Regardless of their appearance, are all treated to the indignity of being weighed.

The first Empidonax flycatcher of the year was this Least Flycatcher.

It has a very prominent white, teardrop-shaped eye-ring.

This Field Sparrow was one of the last birds I caught before having to close the nets.




Earlier in the morning I caught a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers. They weren't happy about the experience, but I couldn't resist taking several pictures of them

Female Reb-bellied Woodpecker

Note the lack of red on her forehead

 You really have to have these birds in the hand to appreciate where their name comes from. It sure isn't obvious in the field.

Male Red-bellied Woodpecker

 He posed very nicely

Once I released him, he didn't leave, being more interested in letting me know that he wasn't afraid in the slightest.

He perched on my finger for more than a minute before flying off.

This Second-Year Black-and-white Warbler was another first for the year, although I've been hearing them sing for the past week or so.

The mottled throat-patch, streaked auriculars and faded flight feathers helped in aging and sexing him.

The last bird of the day was the most distinct, being a being American Redstart. It was raining while I photographed him, so these pictures don't do him justice.