Sunday May 24.  143 new of 34 species; 20 recaps.  New species House Sparrow.  Bird of the day was American Redstart with 16 banded.  It’s an exciting day with great variety including 16 warbler species.  In the evening, there are at least 12 Common Nighthawks flying over the fields and trees beyond.

Monday May 25.  70 new of 21 species; 21 recaps.  Bird of the day was Blackpoll Warbler with 18 banded.  We welcome J. Alan Clark from Fordham University and Nigel Mann from SUNY Oneonta.  We have many visitors taking advantage of the good weather on this Memorial Day holiday.

Tuesday May 26.  52 new of 22 species; 26 recaps.  Bird of the day was Blackpoll
Warbler with 12 banded.  This is the slowest day of the week but we still band 52 birds.  And the less hectic day gives us time to finish taking cloacal swabs from 50 birds to send to U.C.L.A. where they will be tested for the presence of Avian Influenza.  We also take two feathers from each sampled bird and if influenza is detected from any bird, the DNA extracted from those two feathers will give important information about where the bird has come from.

Wednesday May 27.  233 new of 36 species; 36 recaps.  New species Barn Swallow.  Bird of the day was Swainson’s Thrush with 44 banded.  This is one of the best days of the spring, even without the back aerial nets!  We keep radar on all morning as there are storms to the north and the south of the banding station, but we stay clear and dry.  We get an amazing 26 Cedar Waxwings caught in one of our double-stacked nets.  Luckily, Cedar Waxwings are about the easiest species to remove from a net.  We enjoy lunch with Carol Southby.  In the evening, showers hold off for our picnic for volunteers.  Later, we hold our annual Memorial Garden Remembrance Ceremony honoring Dr. Ronald C. Dilcher,  Hedy M. Marcotte, Jennifer D. Mathiason, and Kathy Maley Wirth.

Thursday May 28.  163 new of 35 species; 26 recaps.   Bird of the day was Cedar Waxwing with 20 banded.  We have another great day, as we dodge thunderstorms on and off all morning.  Having our Internet connection in the banding lab allows us to monitor weather radar and when a severe cell suddenly develops and heads our way, we are able to run out and close all nets before it hits the area.  We enjoy a visit from Joanna Klima.  Later, there are at least 30 Common Nighthawks catching insects high over the banding station. 

Friday May 29.  157 new of 28 species; 20 recaps.  Bird of the day was Traill’s Flycatcher with 34 banded.  It’s a cool day with showers threatening but we still have a good day.  It’s a typical late-season flycatcher day with 14 Yellow-bellied, 34 Traill’s and 7 Least Flycatchers banded.  After we close the nets, a lost dog appears and, with patience and plenty of tempting snacks, we are able to catch him and return him to his owner. 

Saturday May 30.  122 new of 24 species; 12 recaps.  Bird of the day was American Redstart with 27 banded.  Ryan Kayhart is BIC on his last day before heading home to Vermont.  Four species of flycatchers are a challenge and we still band 14 warbler species including a late Yellow-rumped Warbler.