Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Opening Day Re-run







The very first day of my first spring as bander at FLSP banding station was March 14, 2007. The very first bird banded on the first net run of that first day was a male, after-second-year, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, band 2410-54719.

On the first day of March 2010, the opening day of the sixth CVWO spring season at First Landing, kinglet 2410-54719 was recaptured for the first time since 2007. And the lad looked very fit for a 6.5 gram (1/3 ounce) bird of at least 5 years of age. Sorry, no pictures; it was cold and windy and kinglets are best sent on their way in such conditions.

Some other early observations of note: a. winter-resident Myrtle Warbler numbers are down at the station and elsewhere in the Park; b. while there are Osprey present in the Park and the Osprey nest near the station survived the November northeaster and subsequent storms, the nest and tree is being used much of the time by two Black Vultures; c. Woodcock have been heard and seen towering in the wetland along lower Fox Run; d. dead and living trees all over the Park have fallen or been pruned by the wind and snow of fall 2009 and winter 2010; e. Brown-headed Nuthatches are excavating a total of three cavities along Long Creek and within the station ; f. a partially-leucistic Myrtle Warbler was netted and banded on opening day. Pictures above.

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