Education at SpruceHaven for Children and Adults alike

02/03 September 2017

02 September

     It is not so long ago that Kevin and I were meeting at 05:30, but as a sure indication that the year is marching on, it is now 06:30 before it is light enough to do the rounds to unfurl the nets to get ready for another session of banding. The early morning chill is evident too; this morning it was a mere 4° when I left my driveway. The calendar does not indicate fall yet, but my mental process tells me that autumn is here once Labour Day arrives.

     The weather last night was clear and still, with little to prevent migrants from moving through, and we did not band large numbers this morning. We did, however, have some quality birds, and get confirmation that migration is truly well underway.

     New World wood warblers are justifiably considered to be a very handsome assemblage of birds, and no species is more emblematic of this fact than American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). This striking male was caught in our first round of the nets.

      My good friend, Josh Shea, the Natural Areas Coordinator for the City of Kitchener, visited this morning to escort a seven-year old boy named Roddie to see our birds up close. Josh has met Roddie through a programme run by the city at Huron Natural Area and has been impressed with the enthusiasm the youngster has for birds. Our banding session provided a fine opportunity for Roddie to see the birds up close and get a little more education to fuel his passion. 

     Here is part of the group of visitors today intently watching Kevin as he checks some finer point about the topography of a species.

     A Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) was an enigmatic species for Roddie to observe up close, and the delight he experienced in so doing was evident to everyone.

     The plumage of many fall warblers is different from their breeding attire, and almost always muted at the very least, and we were able to explain these features to Roddie. Heather was anxious to engage him and always made it a point to provide the best experience possible, finally placing the bird in his hand (or that of his sister, Raya) before it flew away. Just look at the expression on the faces of those children! It speaks volumes.

     People are always fascinated at the process of weighing a small bird. Here a House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) puts up with the indignity of it all before being released, none the worse for wear.

     As you have now learned, Roddie was accompanied by his little sister, and they were both accompanied by their mother, Vashti - a more handsome trio was never assembled!

     I am filled with admiration for parents who make the time and take the trouble to expose their children to nature. Kudos to Vashti for coming out to see us and doing everything imaginable to foster and stimulate the interest of her children.

     I took a group shot, merely proving that photography is not my greatest skill!

Dave Westfall, Jim Huffman, Josh Shea, Roddie, Heather Polan, Kevin Grundy, Raya, Vashti and Francine Gilbert

     Kevin looks shy above and finally he skulked away to hide behind Vashti! Ah, the modesty of it all!

     On our next circuit of the nets we retrieved a Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus), our first migrant catharus of the fall.

     Heather had advised us earlier that her mother, Pat, would be coming to visit, and by now she had arrived to see exactly what her daughter does after getting up and leaving her house a little bleary-eyed each weekend morning. She could not have been more impressed! Heather has become a really proficient, competent bander. 

     In the picture above Heather is holding a Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica), our final warbler of the day. Here it is in all its fall glory.

     By now the wind had picked up quite a bit and we closed the nets for the day. It was not a prolific day but it mattered little. We had a pleasing variety of species for our visitors to observe at close quarters and we were happy to have the opportunity to make new friends and spur on the children to a lifetime of connection with nature.

All species banded: Grey Catbird (1), Swainson's Thrush (1), American Robin (1), House Finch (1), American Goldfinch (1), American Redstart (1), Chestnut-sided Warbler (1), Black-throated Green Warbler (1), Song Sparrow (3).  Total: 11

03 September

     It was heavily overcast when we arrived, with the threat of rain ever present - not ideal conditions for bird banding, but we set the nets nonetheless and finally had not a bad day.
     Carrying on where we left off yesterday more warblers were captured, including our first Tennessee Warblers (Leiothlypis peregrina) of the fall. I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures, but for some reason today most of my pictures were blurry.

     Nashville Warblers (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) were also migrating through our area.

     Kevin and Heather were kept busy with their banding activities.

     Yesterday we heard a Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) singing incessantly but never caught a glimpse of the bird. Today we trapped one in the nets.

     Kevin is planning a vacation later this month and will not be available for a couple of weeks, and we are unable to operate our nets without a registered bander holding a permit, so our good friend Ross Dickson has agreed to fill in for Kevin. Today Ross visited the nets and as always it was a pleasure to see him. It was a chance for him to meet Heather, and I am sure he is looking forward to banding with Heather and Daina in the coming weeks.

All species banded: Warbling Vireo (1), Cedar Waxwing (1), House Wren (1), American Goldfinch (2), Tennessee Warbler (5), Nashville Warbler (4), Common Yellowthroat (1), Song Sparrow (1).  Total: 16