Monday was the biggest day of the migration. Before dawn it was apparent that there were many birds about the station by both song and movement. I only opened 14 nets and began closing nets during the second net run. At the end of the day 109 new birds were banded with 9 recaps. New species included: Bay-breasted Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo (finally) and Baltimore Oriole. A Gray-cheeked Thrush is also pictured. It was a tiring, long day. Common Yellowthroats were 44 strong, followed by 13 Black-throated Blue Warblers and 9 American Redstarts. Catbirds only numbered three.
Monday night the birds moved north en mass. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday new birds failed to break 10 each day. The avian activity about the station was limited largely to local breeders, including a recaptured ATY Red-bellied Woodpecker, a first of season.
There remains a group of migrants yet to come through, such as Wood Pewee. Perhaps they will arrive on the next warm south winds.
Peter
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