1st Pine Siskin of the season

Apparently, from reports from farther north, it is going to be a good bumper crop year for Pine Siskins. Below is one of many to come. Only 1 so far...

Under feeders in backyard.

Update: as of Saturday, the 25th of Oct., 11 Pine Siskins are the high. Interesting to keep track of them by checking Ethan Kistler's map of Pine Siskin movement in Ohio.

Sparrow banding Sunday at Miami Whitewater

Last Sunday, Jaime and I went to the annual sparrow banding event put on by the Avian Research and Education Institute at Miami Whitewater Park. Good birds were seen, however no "good" (i.e. LeConte's, Henslow's, or Nelson's Sharptails) sparrows were caught except for Lincoln's.

Sister Marty Dermody was also conducting a Big Sit at the wetlands. There were some good birds on the list when I left.

Susan will love this post ;-)

Lincoln's Sparrow (above as well)

And, a quiz bird:

Answer at bottom of post.

And, here is a bad photo of a Nelson's Sharptailed Sparrow I found on my comp from years past at MW (my old crappy camera). Look at the pointy tail for which it is named.




And, just for a break from sparrows, here is a female Hairy Woodpecker that was caught out in the fields (?) Love the nictitating membrane!



There were also good butterflies flying around. Here is a Common Buckeye, they were everywhere!




Answer to quiz bird: Alternate form Savannah Sparrow

Saw-whet Owl banding started

Visited Mr. Tolford's newly opened Saw-whet Owl banding station in Liberty, IN last night. This is kind of early for this far south, but Project Owlnet requires the project to start on this date. Didn't catch any owls while I was there. I am hoping to be able to go back later in the season when there are some owls, but ol' greedy Dillon still wants his money!!! (I might's well face it, he's the one really getting ahead from my relentless slaving)

Saw-whet from last year at Chillicothe, OH.