Kinglet and Thrashers – PSU Fall Banding

Heavy fog and very cold temperatures again this morning, and we had our slowest morning of banding yet with just 22 birds of 7 species captured and banded. The official breakdown was 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 11 Gray Catbirds, 1 Brown Thrasher, 1 Common Yellowthroat, and 4 White-throated Sparrows. We also had a number of recaptures including 1 Northern Mockingbird from 10/23/12, 1 Gray Catbird from 9/20/13, 1 Brown Thrasher from 9/17/13, and 1 Black-capped Chickadee from 9/20/13. For the beginning of the fall season, Gray Catbirds are our most commonly captured species but as the fall goes on, that title is quickly awarded to the White-throated Sparrow. We have only caught 1 other White-throated prior to today, but with 4 this morning it is becoming obvious that October is only a few days away. Similarly, the scarcity of warblers and increasing numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglets is a clue that we are entering the next phase of fall migration. Two Brown Thrasher were handled today, and that’s always a treat – seeing those big, rufous mimids up close was a highlight.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Brown Thrasher (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Brown Thrasher (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Brown Thrasher (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Brown Thrasher (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Common Yellowthroated - easily aged/sexed as a juvenile male because of the partial black mask (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Common Yellowthroat – Easily aged/sexed as a juvenile male because of the partial black mask (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

 

Black-capped Chickadee (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

A recaptured Black-capped Chickadee, originally banded on 9/20/2013 (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)