What would have been the final day of banding (Oct 23) was cancelled due to serious winds. This is a bit of an early summary on this very busy season. (More info will be available after data has been entered and we've had a chance to really dig into the numbers.)
We ended the season with a total capture of 2,189 individual birds (2,175 banded this season and 14 returns from prior years). That is a 12% increase over 2020, our highest previous year.
There is one factor that needs to be taken into consideration - in 2021 we increased the banding season by about 10 days, moving to 9 weeks instead of 7; a better measure of the increase will come when we can compare birds per net hour (a number we don't have yet). However, since the increase in days was at the end of the season when the number of birds caught is at its lowest, it will still be a very good season. (Using an estimate of the net hours this year based on the 2021-2025 seasons, this season may drop below 2020, 2018 and 2012, but we'll see.)
We've been focused on the increase in Wilson's Warblers, both because it was huge (976, compared with the now 2nd highest in 2020 when we caught 654) and because it was the most of any species ever caught in one season. But a quick look at other species that have a real impact our total number (17 species where we normally catch 20+) shows that all but 2 were equal to or above the average number caught in previous seasons. Species caught at a rate well above the 20 year average included:
Red-breasted Nuthatch 34, average 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 52, average 32
Hermit Thrush 50, average 30
Gray Catbird 24, average 10
Townsend's Warbler 44, average 14
Common Yellowthroat 34, average 23
Green-tailed Towhee 22, average 11
Song Sparrow 75, average 30
Lincoln's Sparrow 57, average 28
Thanks to the amazing crew of volunteers, some of whom worked extra days as it became clear that we were going to be really busy! And thanks to all who visited; we love discussing bird conservation and just enjoying these lovely birds with you!
Meredith
Meredith McBurney
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bander, Barr Lake Station
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
-- --
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate.
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/13ae7f89-15cb-4703-8cb7-19e0bd637834n%40googlegroups.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment