5/12: AIMS officially open for Spring 2016

Bill Clark and I arrived on 5/11 late afternoon on the JMK which was loaded down with lumber, cement blocks and cement. Celia Thaxter’s garden beds and fence are being replaced and two cement-block sheds are being constructed for housing fuel tanks.

We got the station opened up and net lanes cleared. Bill recruited Ben – a new captain and Zack – a new engineer – to deposit the poles using the Gator. Nice!

Today, Bill the recruiter, invited Amy Simrell to help us set up the nets. Amy is here for volunteer weekend. Not only did she help us set up nets, she stayed for the entire day and became our recorder! (She’s hooked.)

The station officially opened at 13:10. First bird of the season – Downy Woodpecker – M
Slow afternoon.
I did startle 4 mallards in the net lanes: 1 hen and 3 drakes. One drake was caught in N6 at the end by the well, and fortunately managed to get out without leaving a big hole. I mean, we JUST got the nets set up!

Note: the male GBBG by the lumber pile, opposite the Dive Shed, can be aggressive.

Time for bed,

Peg

Banding list for May 12, 2016

Species Code Number
Downy Woodpecker DOWO 1
House Wren HOWR 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet RCKI 1
Black-and-white Warbler BAWW 1
White-throated Sparrow WTSP 4
Gray Catbird GRCA 1
Total banded: 9
Previously banded**Number
Returns3