Update from Albert Creek - Week 4 (May 13 to 19)

Week four was another cat and mouse game at Albert Creek with the weather; however, there was a lot of migration activity during the week. The station did not operate May 17th due to rain and snow and 3 other days were delayed due to rain or freezing temeratures.

Myrtle Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson's Warbler and Northern Waterthrush made up the bulk of the warblers banded and observed with a strong showing from Lincoln's Sparrow as well. Swainson's Thrush had a good showing on May 10th and Grey-cheeked Thrush showed up on the 15th. Blackpoll Warbler was first detected on May 13th when one was mist netted. Sparrows such as White-crowns and American Tree continued to linger in the area throughout the week. Fox Sparrow completely fell off our radar except for one local breeder who set up his territory in the same place as in past years. The Barred Owl was heard throughout the week. Shorebird sightings included Pectoral, and Least Sandpiper as well as Red-necked Phalarope along with the usual Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers. Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs were also recorded on many days.

Many thanks to Shyloh Van Delft who volunteered from Tagish.  Manda Maggs from Teslin joined the team on May 19th and Susan Drury continues to put in many hours of her time on a daily basis. Thank you Jean Legare of Upper Liard for delivering more locally lumbered boards for our on going board walk repairs. 

Birds Banded During Week 4 (# in brackets is the season total)

Sora - 0 (1)

Spotted Sandpiper - 1 (1)

Solitary Sandpiper - 3 (4)

WIlson's Snipe - 0 (1)

Belted Kingfisher - 0 (1)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 5 (10)

Northern Flicker - 0 (1)

Olive-sided Flycatcher - 0 (1)

Hammond's Flycatcher - 4 (11)

Say's Phoebe - 0 (2)

Gray Jay - 2 (2)

Tree Swallow - 2 (2)

Boreal Chickadee - 0 (4)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 16 (90)

Gray-cheeked Thrush - 4 (4)

Swainson's Thrush - 30 (38)

Hermit Thrush - 2 (14)

American Robin - 2 (15)

Varied Thrush - 6 (9)

American Pipit - 0 (1)

Bohemian Waxwing - 0 (1)

Orange-crowned Warbler - 49 (203)

Yellow Warbler - 2 (2)

Myrtle Warbler - 198 (358)

Blackpoll Warbler - 4 (4)

Common Yellowthroat - 11 (11)

Northern Waterthrush - 68 (81)

Wilson's Warbler - 35 (39)

Lapland Longspur - 0 (1)

American Tree Sparrow - 22 (529)

Savannah Sparrow - 10 (20)

Fox Sparrow - 0 (181)

Lincoln's Sparrow - 70 (154)

Swamp Sparrow - 1 (3)

White-crowned Sparrow - 75 (244)

Golden-crowned Sparrow - 1 (1)

Slate-colored Junco - 15 (243)

Red-winged Blackbird - 1 (1)

Rusty Blackbird - 0 (79)

Purple Finch - 0 (2)

Common Redpoll - 2 (55)

TOTAL =  643 (2,424)

male Blackpoll Warbler

male Common Yellowthroat

Spotted Sandpiper

Jukka and Ted collecting bird observations in the snow

board walks at Albert Creek