The Waxiest Wings of All

We banded 59 of these cute Cedar Waxwings today. Most of them were caught at once, in the 11 nets. Brandon came across them and took a photo:

Waxwings, Waxwings and more Waxwings (by Brandon)

This morning we didn't think we would band 165 new birds today.. The nets were frozen until 10.30...! We were able to open three nets at the beginning, around 7.15 pm. The first new bird we banded this morning was a very unusual Sparrow!! Around 8.30 I pulled this very weird sparrow out of the 8c net. I knew it was a life bird for me, but I wasn't sure about the species. When I brought it in I showed it to Drew and Amy. They already knew what it was, but I  didn't. I had a quick look in the Sibley: Vesper Sparrow! A species that used to be captured quite regularly in the early years when the site looked much more like farmland. Nowadays, Vesper Sparrow can be considered as a rarity here at Powdermill!

 Bob holding the Vesper Sparrow

 Vesper Sparrow, after hatching year

The red shoulder patch is really distinctive for this species.

An adult female Dark-eyed Junco with white mascara!

 One of the four Fox Sparrows captured today. This one is an adult bird.

This adult Fox Sparrow had some white feathers spread over its body. Some on the rump, one white greater covert and some white on the back.

Totals for today:

Black-capped Chickadee 1 -

Tufted Titmouse 4 -

White-breasted Nuthatch 2 -

Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 -

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8 -

Hermit Thrush 1 -

Cedar Waxwing 59 -

Yellow-rumped Warbler 4 -

Chipping Sparrow 2 -

Field Sparrow 3 -

Vesper Sparrow 1 -

Fox Sparrow 4 -

Song Sparrow 8 -

Swamp Sparrow 7 -

White-throated Sparrow 14 -

Dark-eyed Junco 16 -

Indigo Bunting 1 -

House Finch 1 -

American Goldfinch 28 -

Total 165 (199 incl recaps), 19 species