Birders and banders, The pace of migration this past weekend "kicked it up a notch", with a few more migrants noted, but no big movements yet. We banded several firsts of the season that were about 1-2 weeks later than normal, including Veery, Swainson's Thrush, Ovenbird, and Mourning Warbler. A total of 49 new birds were banded, plus 6 recaptures from previous days this season. Highlights included the second Blue-winged Warbler ever banded at the station on Sunday, followed soon after by our third ever. A total of 11 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds was banded over the weekend (9 on Saturday). On Sunday, we recaptured a Prothonotary Warbler that had been banded originally on August 10. When banded, this bird was in heavy molt, with pinfeathers all over its body, several missing wing feathers, and a tail that was less than an inch long. When recaptured, it was in perfect feather, ready for migration. Another interesting recapture involved in a Local (incapable of sustained flight) Northern Cardinal banded two weeks ago (nicknamed Loca NOCA), which had by this weekend grown enough plumage for the sex to be determined (female). Photo highlights of this weekend will be put on the HBMO website in a day or two, along with highlights from the past two weeks now posted (www.hbmo.org).
Hawk migration was in evidence on Saturday, but not on Sunday. On Saturday, with intermittent observations, we recorded Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Northern Harrier (2), Broad-winged Hawk (1), Red-tailed Hawk (6), American Kestrel (2). About 95 Purple Martins migrated past on Saturday as well. Butterflies and dragonflies were in reduced numbers again compared with two weeks ago, but there were a couple of highlights. For butterflies, we began our tagging project for Monarch Watch, and tagged our first three this weekend. For dragonflies, there was a possible (flying high) Carolina Saddlebags seen. A list of butterflies and dragonflies is at the end of this report. Birds banded: August 23, 2003 10.0 hours from 05:00 - 15:00 E.S.T. (119 Net Hours - two field nets closed early due to discovery of an in-ground bumblebee nest very close to the net lane). Temperature was 14-21 Celsius, sky was mostly clear, wind was light from the N. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 9 Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker - 1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 1 Willow Flycatcher - 1 "Traill's" Flycatcher - 4 Swainson's Thrush - 1 (first for season, late) Magnolia Warbler - 2 Black-and-white Warbler - 1 Ovenbird - 1 (first of season, late) Northern Waterthrush - 1 Mourning Warbler - 1 (first of season, late) Canada Warbler - 3 Northern Cardinal - 1 Recaptures - 1 Banders: Allen Chartier, Bob Hall-Brooks, Carl Pascoe. Assistants: Rachel Powless. August 24, 2003 9.0 hours from 05:00 - 14:00 E.S.T. (94.50 Net Hours - two field nets only operated for two hours, again due to bumblebee nest nearby). Temperature was 14-26 Celsius, sky was variable (clear to overcast), wind was light from the S. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 2 Alder Flycatcher - 1 "Traill's" Flycatcher - 1 Veery - 1 (first for season, late) Blue-winged Warbler - 2 (2nd and 3rd ever for station) Tennessee Warbler - 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler - 2 (first for season) Magnolia Warbler - 3 Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1 Black-and-white Warbler - 1 Northern Waterthrush - 1 Canada Warbler - 1 Northern Cardinal - 1 American Goldfinch - 2 Recaptures - 5 Banders: Allen Chartier, Carl Pascoe, Bob Hall-Brooks. Assistants: Rachel Powless. Butterflies Northern/Pearl Crescent - a few Viceroy - 1 Monarch - 5-6 (3 tagged) Cabbage White - a few Black Swallowtail - 1 Giant Swallowtail - 1 Dragonflies Green Darner - several Swamp Darner - 1 Eastern Pondhawk - 2-3 Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 2 Blue Dasher - 2 Black Saddlebags - 10 [Carolina Saddlebags - 1, unconfirmed] Lyre-tipped Spreadwing - 2-3 Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) is an organization devoted to monitoring migration at the Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Essex Co., Ontario, administered by the Essex Region Conservation Authority. In addition to a hawk-watch/passerine count that has been in operation since 1974, HBMO operates three banding stations, two for raptors (since 1987) and one for passerines and hummingbirds (since 1997). The Holiday Beach Conservation Area was designated an Important Bird Area by Conservation International in 2000. Lat: 42-01'54.1" Long: 083-02'41.6" Allen Chartier [EMAIL PROTECTED] 1442 West River Park Drive Inkster, MI 48141 Website: http://www.amazilia.net Michigan HummerNet: http://www.amazilia.net/MIHummerNet/index.htm "Allen Chartier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
