2003 Bird Lab updates - Ventana Wildlife Society

Fall migration continued unabated, with large
numbers of birds passing through daily. The first of
our usual winter visitors have returned, while most of our breeding
species have passed on to warmer climates. By the end of the month,
typical summer species such as Wilson's Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, and
Warbling Vireo were all but gone, while Hermit Thrush, Myrtle Warbler,
Golden-crowned Sparrow, Townsend's Warbler, and Ruby-crowned
Kinglet were back in force.
Mist-Netting/Banding at Andrew Molera State Park
After the excitement and activity of September,
October was a bit slower but interesting none-the-less.
Although we didn't catch any exciting vagrants, some,
including a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, two Clay-colored
Sparrows and a Blackpoll Warbler, were sighted in the
study area. Another interesting sighting was a group of
five endangered California Condors that flew directly
over the study area, towards the Big Sur River mouth.
This was only the fifth time BSOL Coordinator, Sarah
Stock, has seen Condors in Andrew Molera State Park in two and a half
years. Exciting captures included a hybrid Northern Flicker, only the
fourth such hybrid individual ever caught here, a Marsh Wren, also only
the fourth individual of this species ever caught here, a Red-breasted
Sapsucker, two California Thrashers, and two Oak Titmice. In all a total of
506 individuals of 37 species were captured during October, a
considerably lower number than last month. One aspect of recent captures
that has caught the attention of all of us at BSOL is the number of birds
that were banded in previous years that were recaptured this year. It never
ceases to amaze us that these birds were able to make the long southern
journey from their breeding grounds far to the north and end up at Molera,
often within days of the anniversary of their original capture dates.
Mist-Netting/Banding on the Carmel River Sites
Carmel River Mouth. The end of October
brought the end of banding for the year at the
Carmel River Mouth. Banding at this site will start
up again on May 1st of next year. In October, we
banded a total of 66 individuals of 20 species. No
unusual species were captured, although a Downy
Woodpecker originally banded at the Carmel River
Mouth was recaptured at Molera, and then captured once again at the river
mouth. What was this individual of a normally sedentary species doing
commuting up and down the coast? Even though no unusual birds were
captured in our mist nets at the river mouth, many interesting birds were
observed. These included a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, only the tenth
time this species has ever been seen in Monterey County, an American
Redstart, several Northern Waterthrushes, and a flock of Red Crossbills, a
species normally seen only in coniferous forest.
Carmel Middle School. October also ushered in the start of the annual