Date: 6/1/25 7:57 am
From: meredith <meredithmcburney...>
Subject: [cobirds] Chatfield Banding Station - Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 5/31/25
Our last day seemed like it should be the last day of monitoring spring
migration. We banded only 8 birds plus caught 8 that had been previously
caught this season. Only 2 of the 8 new birds and none of the recaps were
for sure migrating through - a Swainson's Thrush and a MacGillivray's
Warbler. A majority of the summer and year-round resident birds showed
signs of breeding.

A few unofficial observations about the season (subject to change once data
is finalized):

The first couple of weeks were dismal, well below normal, followed by a
couple of fairly robust weeks. In the end, preliminary results show we are
in the normal range for total birds caught. This was made possible, at
least in part, by a banner year for Gray Catbirds, which this year are
challenging Yellow Warblers for the most caught species title.

Flycatchers continue to be in short supply. Swainson's Thrush numbers are
up, but there were very few Hermit Thrushes.

Here are the 8 new birds banded on our final day of the season:

Swainson's Thrush 1
Gray Catbird 1
Yellow Warbler 2
MacGillivray's Warbler 1
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Song Sparrow 2

Thanks as always to the loyal crew of volunteers who make it possible to
efficiently run a banding station that monitors birds while sharing
information with school groups and/or the general public every day of the
season. You tolerate the slow days and step up when it gets busy. This
season you also got to protect the birds from a persistent bobcat (who had
to be chased off almost every day), a snapping turtle (who chose to lay her
eggs directly under net 26), numerous deer (who are not interested in the
birds but seem to enjoy destroying nets), and rumors of a fox prowling
around net 22.

Thanks also to all you who care deeply about birds. I have e-mails from
several of you to which I have not yet responded; I will do so before
heading off to the CFO conference at the end of this coming week!

Until next season,

Meredith McBurney
Chatfield Bander
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies


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