Daily Report – Wednesday, 8/17

Gusty SW winds took Becky back to the mainland in the morning. The temperature at 6 a.m. was 76 degrees!

Kiah and I spent more time extracting leaves than birds today. Only 15 birds banded today. A few firsts for the fall season: Cedar Waxwings & American Goldfinch.

A chance sighting of a first year Laughing Gull, hanging out by the high tide dock (pictures below).

The winds died down by late afternoon but the temperature did not! At 8 p.m. the temperature was still in the mid-70s.

Young gulls, besides begging for food from parents, are also figuring out food sources. We’ve seen young gulls picking up bark and feathers, pecking at pebbles, pecking at a soccer ball, and trying out marigolds.

Warm greetings from Appledore,

American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Laughing Gull
Laughing Gull
Can't mistake this guy for a Herring Gull!
Hard to mistake this guy for a local!
Sunset
Sunset
Moonrise
Moonrise

Banding list for August 17, 2016

Species Code Number
Red-breasted Nuthatch RBNU 3
Gray Catbird GRCA 3
Cedar Waxwing CEDW 3
Northern Waterthrush NOWA 2
American Redstart AMRE 1
Yellow Warbler YEWA 1
Song Sparrow SOSP 1
American Goldfinch AMGO 1
Total banded: 15
Previously banded**Number
Retraps6
Returns1