For a second year, the Canada South Land Trust arranged a fund raising event at Holiday Beach Conservation Area in cooperation with the passerine banders of the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory. Banding assistant Rachel Powless suggested that two dates in October could be accommodated to observe various species, but we decided that Saturday, October 8, 2005 would be our date.
Luckily a serious of warm smoggy days were replaced by a north wind on October 8, 2005 that brought a certain coolness to the air. An e-mail note from Rachel the day before hinted that migration on October 8, 2005 could be a busy so we were anticipating a good day.
The first group of event participants arrived about 9:00 a.m., just in time for fresh coffee and a homemade muffin. Then it was off to the passerine blind where we were welcomed by passerine banders Carl Pascoe and Bob Hall-Brooks and assistants Rachel Pascoe and Kathy Evans. Carl showed the group several banded thrushes and then took everyone for a net run, ending up in the lab as the birds were processed.
We had had an invitation to visit the hawk banding station, so at about 10:00 a.m., the group headed over to the raptor banding station where we watched migrating raptors, including Sharp-shinned Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks fly over the banding station, ignoring the set-up that normally will entice these birds. The winds were brisk which was obviously a factor as most raptors were not even looking towards the banders' setup. Luckily, a few Sharp-shinned Hawks had been trapped and banded, so we were able to see the difference in eye colour and plumage which is the means by which the age of raptors can be determined. Just as we were preparing to leave, a Sharpie was trapped and we got to see a wild run out the door to the net by a designated runner. The second group to visit the raptor banding station was treated to the release of a Red-tailed Hawk.
By noon hour everyone had been to both banding stations, so it was time for lunch. We enjoyed a Tomato and Mushroom Lasagna in a crockpot, a Greek Salad and Deep Dish Apple Pie for dessert.
Rachel Powless provided a short summary of the day's activities at the passerine blind. A total of 191 birds were banded on October 8, 2005, including a record 94 Yellow-rumped Warblers. A single After Hatch Year male Scarlet Tanager was banded along with five Black-throated Green Warblers and a number of Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets which are just beginning their migration. A lovely Fox Sparrow and a Sharp-shinned Hawk were also banded.
Raptor bander Dorothy Balkwill provided a summary of raptors banded on October 9, 2005. These included seven Sharp-shinned Hawks, one Cooper's Hawk and three Red-tailed Hawks.
We were so fortunate that October 8, 2005 was an outstanding migration day at Holiday Beach Conservation Area. Thank you to all the participants who supported our fund raising event and to all the banders and assistants who were so helpful and welcoming. Thank you to those who helped tidy up the Education Building following the lunch.