10-28-14 Bird Field Note

10-28-14 Bird Field Note

October 28, 2014

Eric Rasmussen's Bird Field Note details a new species sighting, hummingbird research, and raptor banding.

Bird Field Note Shrubby draws, hummingbird update, raptor surveys Eric Rasmussen 10/24/2014

We continued to see low numbers and diversity during shrubby draw surveys. Our most unusual species was a White-throated Sparrow detected in Sheep Camp.

A White-throated Sparrow uses a dense hawthorn shrub for cover.

An immature Northern Shrike hunts a small flock of birds in Sheep Camp.

The quick movements of Rubycrowned Kinglets caught the shrike’s eye. The kinglets did not appear alarmed by the potential threat.

The kinglets flew circles around the ill-equipped shrike as they foraged insects around a hawthorn.

Squirrels are busy gathering and storing food for the winter.

This squirrel gnaws loose a ponderosa pine cone.

It then examines the exact landing spot.

A Pied-billed Grebe in the pump slough on October 22nd marks our 212th species.

American Tree Sparrows arrive from their northern breeding grounds.

Dark-eyed Juncos work the ground for seeds.

This Calliope Hummingbird was one of the last birds seen during our survey.

A Rufous Hummingbird fuels up for the long journey to Mexico.

This week we banded nine raptors of four different species. Our lower site on Indian Ridge was again the more productive of our two banding stations; we have banded over two-thirds of our total at this lower blind.