It is really windy in the valley today and has been since just before closing nets this afternoon. In fact it has seemed really windy in the afternoon for a couple days now, but not in the mornings, as that might permit us to sleep in. The highlight of the day for me was definitely on census when I had my best views of a Solitary Sandpiper that I can remember. And as a bit of a fun twist the Solitary Sandpiper was hanging out with another Solitary Sandpiper and a Sora. Not so solitary afterall, though the other two birds bailed when I got close leaving the one I saw, well in a rather solitary state.
Another highlight was our first Three-toed Woodpecker of the year. I heard either a Three-toed or a Black-backed Woodpecker yesterday, but was unable to discern which. This morning Avery heard a Three-toed across the river, possibly the same bird I heard yesterday.
I have had the trail camera up and running for four days now and so far nothing magical has transpired. I have a number of amusing pics of banders walking in circles, scratching their faces, looking upwards, appearing to walk with eyes closed, but no cougars, grizzlies, or better. I have a number of short videos of deer and two pictures of an unknown furry creature. I figure we can use those two pictures as a quiz where no one is wrong because I don’t know what the answer is. What do you think these are? I’m thinking Bobcat.
Species | Band | Recap |
Common Yellowthroat | 5 | 2 |
Warbling Vireo | 5 | |
Swainson’s Thrush | 4 | 2 |
Lincoln’s Sparrow | 4 | 1 |
Black-capped Chickadee | 3 | |
Alder Flycatcher | 2 | |
Song Sparrow | 1 | 3 |
Oregon Junco | 1 | |
Yellow Warbler | 1 | |
Orange-crowned Warbler | 1 | |
Willow Flycatcher | 1 | |
Dusky Flycatcher | 1 | |
American Redstart | 1 |
Birds banded | 30 |
Species banded | 13 |
Birds recaptured | 8 |
Species recaptured | 4 |
Species on census | 32 |
Species Total | 45 |
STANDARD TOTAL BANDED | 607 |
SEASON TOTAL BANDED | 683 |
~Chutter
Thank you for the cute story about the Solitary Sandpipers and the great photo as well. Makes me wonder where they get their name? Another first for you this year with the Three-toed Woodpecker! Cool.
As for the photo of the furry creature, the sway of the back reminds me of a cougar.
I didn’t actually see the Three-toed today, and I have seen many before though it would be a good first for the year for me.
Cougar is something I have considered for the pic, but I imagine I see a short tail in the second picture (imagination is all I can use) and given the vegetation in the picture the animal is probably a foot or less at the shoulders.
Great to see the trail cam is working. My guess is a Lynx, in part based on the wide back, no visible long tail, and apparent lack of spots. But I had another clue to help me: While monitoring an invasive plant site yesterday in the Lagoon Field I came across lynx tracks crossing the sand dunes. For those that don’t know the lay of the land, the Lagoon Field is just five hundred meters south of the banding station. The field has a series of parallel ancient beaches showing past lake levels, hence the sand dunes. I took some photos of the tracks and would insert then here in this comment but do not see a way to do that. Anyway pretty cool to see the other creatures living there.
You know, I bet it’s a cow haha.
Alice the Astute. You know, that didn’t even cross our minds….
Glad you’re reading the blog, hope all’s well in PG! Say hi to Shannelle for me.
Haha I wouldn’t have thought of it if Shanelle and I didn’t have so many surprise cow encounters (en”cow”nters) when we were there last year.
You should hope that all’s well in Ontario. I’ll be heading there for school!
Keep up the amazing work guys. Best blog on the web!