What I wonder is that with various long term reports of many species showing declining trends across many species/habitat groups, and major losses of bird numbers since the 1970s etc., why are we surprised that there are often poor migratory showings? Shouldn't we expect fewer and fewer migrants, even now at what ought to be the peak of a typical migration season? If the reported population declines are as great as those reported, surely we will have fewer birds. I wonder, as often it seems we think maybe they took another route, or maybe they are just late, or? Are the long term trends that are highlighted in reports of the state of birds wrong?
Just wondering,
David suddjian
Littleton, CO
On Fri, May 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM Chicobander <jshieldcastle@gmail.com> wrote:
It was a more beautiful day than yesterday and still no more birds. Makes me wonder if they went up the Central Plains as last week the Birdcast view was lit up from TX to North Dakota with the bird migration forecast. Seems like we should have an overabundance of Orioles and tanagers. Yes, A couple Summer Tanagers were spotted at the Banding station olive grove and at least one at HQ pond. Hoping for improvement in the bird numbers tomorrow.--We captured two new species for the season: Yellow Warbler and Chipping Sparrow. There was 2 Yellow Warblers captured. One was already banded when we extracted it out of the net. The other we banded today. The banded bird was a second-year male we banded in May of 2023. This bird is four years and counting! Can you imagine a bird that weighs the equivalent of 2 nickels flying to Central America or northern South America for the winter?! This Yellow Warbler has made the round trip twice. So many obstacles these birds can possibly encounter in the skies or while on the ground during migration. This is one of the values of mark from bird banding to learn what these birds are capable of and how long they can live. When I worked at a bird migration station in NW Ohio. We captured several Yellow Warblers over the years that bred in the vicinity. The oldest individual was an 11 year old female and she was still flying. Other Yellow Warblers returning to NW Ohio were 6 and 7 years old or more. Quite a feat if you ask me for a small bird to travel several thousand miles round trip.An American Robin we banded at Chico in September 2022 was recovered in Wyola, Montana as reported by the Bird Banding Lab a few weeks ago. Another interesting piece of information, I would not have thought an American Robin would take to the skies for WY. So much to learn about these birds!The White-eyed Vireo is still singing around the banding station. We banded in on April 30th. It has not been recaptured since it was banded.8 New Birds BandedYellow Warbler-1Audubon's (Yellow-rumped) Warbler- 1Chipping Sparrow-1Northern House Wren-2Swainson's Thrush-1Hermit Thrush-1Gray Catbird-1Recapture- Northern House WrenReturn- Yellow WarblerThe banding station will be open tomorrow from Sunrise until @11 AM. The station will be closed on Sunday and reopen on Monday. Remember to sign up on the Aiken Audubon Website (https://www.aikenaudubon.com) if you are planning to visit Chico Basin Ranch.Have a good day,Julie ShieldcastleChico Basin Ranch Bird BanderBird conservancy of the Rockies
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