Quiet times down by the river.......

In spite of a change in the weather to cooler, unsettled conditions, the light northerly breezes failed to deposit any numbers of migrants in the "Rare" study area. Nevertheless, diversity has increased, as might be expected as the Autumn migration starts in earnest. This weekend saw an overall reduction in birds banded (81), but an increase in the number of species to twenty-six, including the first Magnolia and Black and White Warblers. We also added an Eastern Kingbird to the year list, which now stands at fifty-six. Last year saw sixty-three species banded, so we are expecting that total to be surpassed very soon!

Two Ospreys continue to use the nesting platform as a home base, but the second pair that nested further upstream, appear to have departed. There were several raptors to be seen each day, this weekend producing Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, an American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawks, and of course, the Ospreys.

Totals banded on August 29th and 30th are as follows:

American Goldfinch 3
American Redstart 2
American Robin 4
Black and White Warbler 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Brown Thrasher 1
Canada Warbler 1
Cedar Waxwing 1
Common Grackle 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Kingbird 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great-crested Flycatcher 1
Gray Catbird 6
House Wren 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Magnolia Warbler 5
Red-eyed Vireo 11
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 10
"Traill's" Flycatcher 8
Warbling Vireo 5
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 3
Yellow-shafted Flicker 2

There are no pictures this week, as Georg, our trusty and rather hairy photographer was on a family excursion through the Rocky Mountains, where he no doubt saw lots of interesting birds, large mammals, and more than a few Red Necks.

Next weekend is the Labour Day weekend, so we'll be operating on Sunday and Monday.....Grace and I are off to Toronto Island on Saturday.....hopefully the weather will be good for the entire holiday weekend!