Bander-in-charge:
Marcel Gahbauer
Notes: A
quieter week, with no repeat sightings of any of the "winter surprises"
observed last week. Of note, however, was the flock of 19 Common
Redpolls on Thursday, our highest count to date. At one point, 11
of them were on or immediately around the black nyjer seed tube,
providing ample evidence that it is what is attracting them to the site.
Also on Thursday, a couple of deer were heard down by the pond,
crunching through the thick crust of ice on the snow. Their tracks
are all over the place, and they are clearly sleeping under some of the
conifers, but this is the first actual sighting in almost two months.
First bird of the new year, seen on a Sunday walk, was a male Northern
Cardinal right by the gate.
The 2005 totals above
summarize an excellent year of banding. However, we have every
reason to expect that 2006 will be every bit as interesting again, and
are looking forward to seeing what the changing seasons bring us once
again. As of next week's report, the year total counter will be
reset, with today's 7 species the first members of what will hopefully
be another list of 160+ by the end of 2006.
