Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Albert Creek update - August 25th


Ted and Y2C2 crew

First off, we'd like to apologize to our readership for the very infrequent updates. We've been experiencing some technical difficulties lately.

From Aug 21st through Aug 25th Albert Creek averaged 47.2 birds/day and 0.329 birds/net-hour for a total of 236 birds banded. White-crowned Sparrow on the 23rd, Golden-crowned Sparrow on the 24th and Western Wood-Pewee and Townsend's Warbler both on the 25th were new banding species for the season. One of the banding highlights of the period included a recapture of a Sharp-shinned Hawk from last fall on the 22nd. The top 5 most numerous species banded during the period were Yellow-rumped Warbler (55), Common Yellowthroat (28), Alder Flycatcher (25), Boreal Chickadee (22) and Wilson's Warbler (16). The current season top 5 is Northern Waterthrush (174), Tennessee Warbler (149), Yellow-rumped Warbler (117), Common Yellowthroat (111) and Alder Flycatcher (91).

At Albert Creek the banding totals seem to reflect quite well the bird activity in the area. The field observations highlighted increasing numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers and clear movement of Boreal Chickadees.

A four person Y2C2 crew spent time at Albert Creek and helped to repair existing and build new boardwalks. Two of their greatest achievements were building a boardwalk in the far end of census #2 and another one between nets #s 8 and 9 restoring the original net-round abandoned years ago when the water levels started to rise. Many, many thanks to the crew! We would also like to thank Abril Heredia and Gwen Baluss (of Juneau, AK) for donating their time and expertise for the station!


Abril Heredia exploring the marvels of boreal forest during her 5 day visit to Albert Creek


Syd Cannings (L) and Ted studying a Northern Waterthrush


Y2C2 crew working on cencus #2 boardwalk

Photos © Gwen Baluss (top and bottom) and Abril Heredia (two middle ones)


Complete list of birds banded at Albert Creek as of Aug 25 this season (latest 5 day period in brackets):

Green-winged Teal - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 5 (1)
Spotted Sandpiper - 1
Solitary Sandpiper - 2
Least Sandpiper - 2
Belted Kingfisher - 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 7
Western Wood-Pewee - 1 (1)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 4 (2)
Alder Flycatcher - 91 (25)
Least Flycatcher - 44 (3)
Hammond's Flycatcher - 19 (2)
Blue-headed Vireo - 1
Warbling Vireo - 60 (8)
Gray Jay - 1
Black-capped Chickadee - 9 (1)
Boreal Chickadee - 34 (22)
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 12 (1)
Swainson's Thrush - 68 (6)
American Robin - 4 (1)
Varied Thrush - 8
Tennessee Warbler - 149
Orange-crowned Warbler - 24 (14)
Yellow-Warbler - 68 (8)
Magnolia Warbler - 19
Cape May Warbler - 1
Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler - 117 (55)
Townsend's Warbler - 1 (1)
Blackpoll Warbler - 15 (4)
American Redstart - 50 (3)
Northern Waterthrush - 174 (9)
MacGillivray's Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 111 (28)
Wilson's warbler - 45 (16)
Chipping Sparrow - 2
Savannah Sparrow - 1
Fox Sparrow - 6 (2)
Lincoln's Sparrow - 52 (8)
Swamp Sparrow - 11 (1)
White-crowned Sparrow - 11 (11)
Golden-crowned Sparrow - 1 (1)
White-throated Sparrow - 19
Dark-eyed Junco - 12 (1)
Western Tanager - 7
Rusty Blackbird - 3 (1)
Pine Siskin - 22
= 1303 (236) birds of 48 species
0.304 (0.329) birds/net-hour

No comments:

Post a Comment