Welcome to another season of banding at Presque Isle State Park. This spring we will be banding six days a week through the end of May. Despite the chilly weather early migrants are passing through. Totals for yesterday's banding at Fry's Landing were 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3 American Robins, 3 song Sparrows (1 a previously banded bird), and one White-throated Sparrow.

The Fry's Landing Banding Station

We have a very nice view of the Perry Monument across the way

One goal of this study is to assess the impact of invasive species on migrant birds, so many of our net lanes are nestled in among asian honeysuckle, European birch and garlic mustard. 

Net lane surrounded by honeysuckle

First catch of the season! A very pretty male American Robin

Second bird of the season, a Second-Year Song Sparrow

How do I know that it's a Second-year (SY) bird? Most perching birds keep their juvenal feathers until late summer of their second year. These feathers are less durable than adult feathers and wear out quickly. Take a look.

Those juvenile tail feathers are getting pretty ratty.

First White-throated Sparrow

 I've done most of my banding in the western USA, so holding this little guy is a real treat. They're abundant but oh so pretty.

This one is also a second-year bird with a ratty tail.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Last, and least, this Ruby-crowned Kinglet (RCKI) weighed in at 7.5 grams. He had a good amount of fat, so was most likely on his way to Canada.

Only the males have a ruby crown, so I was able to sex this bird. In the field, you seldom see the crown. When he's in the hand it's a lot easier.