Consolation Prize?

Today was another Hohum day with Bad Winds, and hardly any Raptor movements. Consolation was a HY COHA that made several attempts at the Lure before finally getting caught .
An oddity (I Thought) was a fly by of a Common Nighthawk at 10 am. They are not generally seen in the Daytime. Their name is derived from the fact that they "Hawk" Insects at Night and are not a Hawk at all.

Where's the Hawks?

Well , it was nothing short of a Dead Day at the Station today. Early morning Fog rolled out about 9-9:30 and the skies were Blue.Winds were unfavourable out of the ESE.Only Raptors were a couple of distant Red-tails and 15 Turkey Vultures. The Monarchs were steadily moving through with another couple hundred over 3 hours. Flocks of CAGO,RWBB and BLJA's were abundant. Other notables wer Ruby-throated Hummingbirds(3) and a SHRIKE Species. Given the time of year I would say a migrating Loggerhead.I did not have my Scope with me to try see coloured Leg Bands!Hopefully tomorrow will be a little Better as my 2 Boys really get a kick out of Catching and Releasing the Hawks.

Not what I expected!

This morning I was at the Banding Station at 7:30 waiting for the Hawks to pour over. They must have got their feathers caught in Mollasses! No they didnt pour over as expected ,even with great conditions, but I managed 37 Raptors of 9 Species. It is very early in the season, and better days are ahead. I did Band 2 Hawks today, 1 HY RTHA and 1 HY BWHA(photo included).The Broad-wing was un expected, as it appeared to be a Coopers from afar.

Fall 2007 Banding Kickoff

Today , I got the Banding Station going. After the heavy rains of lastnight, and few remaining showers this morning, Myself and my oldest son Banded 2 HY RTHA's. We also had a 3rd Red-tail fly by and a 2nd Year Cooper's Hawk miss getting caught. From 11 am to 2 pm 30 Raptors were observed, and many differant Passerines and Monarch's flew past.

More favourable Winds and weather are forecasted for Tomorrow, so I will be at it Bright and Early!

Here's looking at you!

Simcoe County Banding Group is located in Innisfil,Ontario,Canada. We are a Raptor Banding Station that began in the Fall of 2005. We are located on Private Land and thus can't have tours or groups come out, but we do get out and Do Public Banding Demo's whenever possible. I hope that we can put together some good happenings of our Banding Seasons aswell as a Photo or 2.