Ruthven Park Banding is up and running again... with photos

[Rob'in'To]

I was out in Cayuga this morning at Ruthven Park for the bird banding.  Overall it was a very quiet morning for netting birds.  I did luck out upon my arrival with a Connecticut Warbler just about to be released...  so I did get a very good look at one.  I'd never seen one before.  So, since the morning was so low key, I participated in a census of the grounds recording all sightings.

So I got two more firsts being Caspian Terns X 6, and a Lesser Yellowlegs!  An Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Eastern Bluebird, numerous Red-bellied Woodpeckers, even more Turkey Vultures made the list.

Upon our return to the station, we were fortunate enough to see an anomaly of sorts.  A Rose-breasted Grosbeak who was first banded in May 2008.  He's got the wings of an adult but the head and some of the markings on the chest/breast sure don't say adult male.  Check out the pics...

Oh, and lastly, they are having their second annual "Ruthven's For The Birds" Festival this weekend from the 16th to 18th.  Saturday is the big day of course where the banding station is open from 6am to 1pm.  You may participate in a census walk at 7:30am which lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.  Or try an adventure for serious hikers where you join the Grand Valley Trail Association for a 6km hike along the Grand River going through mixed forest and making your way back to the park.  Many speakers throughout the day!  And the Canadian Raptor Conservancy will be putting on 3 shows at 11:30, 12:30 and 2pm with meet and greet the birds inbetween.

Here's some pics from today...

Connecticut Warbler


Here's the interesting looking Grosbeak I mentioned...




And one on my hike, a Common Yellowthroat (I think) but sure looks like the Connecticut.

[lovemypt]

Thanks for the posting Rob...great find with the Connecticut warbler...for someone who said they didn't like traveling you sure do get around...don't know where you find all these places

so many places to see and try this time of year.... I think I will check out the Ruthven Park on Friday...any other birders up for an outing? probably heading out around 7.30

[Rob'in'To]

Ya, things like an opportunity to band a bird will get me moving and that they have resident Tufted Titmouses (Titmice?) there make Cayuga not too far off.  The T.T. are easily seen in the colder months, not right now though.

It's a nice drive too, and so simple.  Here are the directions...

http://www.ruthvenpark.ca/?page_id=1076

And he does a daily blog, and I made the September 12th entry.  You can see what birds have been passing through the last couple weeks.  They banded a Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoo recently!

http://www.ruthvenpark.ca/natureblog/

[Rob'in'To]

So Dave, did you make it out to Ruthven on Friday?  Curious.

[lovemypt]

Hi Rob


 Yes, I did go down on the Friday and it was a good day even though I didn't see alot of new things..... The weather does not seem to be co-operating with the migration but it does make for good sunny and warm walks. The centre was not swamped but did have a steady stream of birds to band and enjoyable to watch. When I first arrived around 9 am , there was a higher bit of activity around the buildings ( saw Black-throated greens and Magnolias in trees next to banding station and lots of juvenile Cedarwax wings) so I had high hopes for later so I spent some time in banding centre; however, the weather warmed up too fast and activity slowed down outside. 1 walked the trails but only saw the normal birds for this time of year not much in way of warblers but some were around just hiding... no great prizes like the ones you saw... maybe next year  :lol:


young Magnolia


Ovenbird


saw your comments on the Algonquin trip, too bad about the mammals ..it is a shame when you have to resort to counting road kill to get  numbers......

Dave