23, but slow

We had about 23 birds today at Redwood Creek, but it felt pretty slow. We did catch a couple of very cute chickadee fledglings, and found a hummingbird nest.

Chickadee banding from Todd

A few more photos from the chickadee banding a while ago, all from Todd, thanks Todd!

Checking the box

Parent?

Perhaps a parent of the recently banded youth

Chickadee banding

Today we banded the chickadee nestlings!


We generally band nestlings when the feathers of the primaries are breaking through the sheaths.






Being weighed

Chickadee box

The babies have hatched and we are checking them frequently in order to make sure we don't missing the banding date for them. There turns out to be 6 of them and we had to take one out to see a couple that were at the bottom of the pile.

Chickadee nest

We have a few nest boxes around the station which we check the contents of every Wednesday. Only one of the boxes has a nest in it, but it's a good one. A pair of chestnut-backed chickadees have created a comfy little nest out of mostly moss, finishing it off with a top inch or two Maria's hair (which was cut and left outside, but slowly disappeared). Last week there were two eggs, but no sign of the parents. This week there are six eggs, and the female didn't hop off the nest until we opened it, despite our knocking on the door before entering.

Contents


Nest and mirror above the nest showing the contents

Chestnut-backed chickadee

PRANK

Good day at MUHO today, 10 birds and lots of practice with song sparrows. Some cool birds too.

Downy woodpecker


Chestnut backed chickadee


Wilson's warbler

RSFL

Good day at Pine Gulch on Michael's first day back. 25 birds with a couple good ones mixed in.

Myrtle warbler tail


Chestnut backed chickadee


Red shafted northern flicker






Anna's hummingbird