Braddock Bay Bird Observatory

To all our friends and supporters: The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way our station will operate this fall. We will run with a skeleton crew that is no larger than necessary, and in a move that takes us back to our early days, we’ll be banding outdoors! We are heartbroken that we must close the station to guests and even to our volunteers or are not scheduled, but it is the only way to keep us all safe. Just in case folks are tempted to stop by, we’ll be posting tigers a...t all the entrances to the observatory as a gentle reminder. Please do follow us on our blog, Twitter, and Facebook. We’ll update them daily, and we might even throw in a special event once in a while. We hope to see you all safe and sound next year!

Oh my goodness, what a difference a day makes! Last week we were catching thrushes and sparrows in dribs and drabs, and then . . . seemingly overnight . . . the chickadees found us. As they meandered west along the lakeshore today, dozens paid our nets a visit. Although we only had 2/3 of our nets open - and for only five hours - we banded 192 new birds, 153 of which were Black-capped Chickadees. This is still a far cry from our very busiest chickadee days, but it could be a portent of more to come.

Ryan left for Vermont yesterday, but he didn’t go home empty-handed. A year ago, Betsy gave the station her banding box and it’s been sitting idle, waiting for a new home. This week we outfitted it with fresh new bands, and gave it to Ryan so he can band the winter finches that visit his yard.

Quiz bird! Who does this tail belong to?

We’re really just sort of speechless!

Our fall season started today! With 41 new birds of 11 species, it was a great start to what will surely be an epic fall. You can read all about Day 1 on our blog. (Extra points if you can guess what bird has this fiery orange belly!)

You know you've made it when you show up in the pages of a 3rd grade mathematics textbook! Betsy Brooks and her friend Vivian Pitzrick competed for years to see who could document the most nests for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's North American Nest Record Card program. Our founder, Betsy, recorded more than 6500 nests! So who won this massive contest? The birds definitely came out on top!

What bird has this stunning tail? (The answer is in the comments).

Reason #1 why you should always follow that sound!!!

First fledgie of the 2020 season! This cute fuzzy Common Grackle showed up today with a sibling (we assume) and dad (we assume). Dad was originally banded in 2014 as an adult, and we hope junior will stick around just as long.

A big shoutout to our friends and colleagues at Black Swamp Bird Observatory, who inspired this instant aerial net. Constructed with one 10-foot pole nested inside a 5-foot pole, the top trammel can be set about 14 feet high! Normally you wouldn’t want a net lofted so high above the vegetation, but we’re going to see if it works to catch the swallows that hawk the field. Next task . . . Mend that giant hole in the corner of the net!

Exciting news from the flock! Emi Rebollo defended her dissertation this week!!! We are so proud of our former intern, who taught us that Common Yellowthroats aren’t common at all . . . they are incredible - just like Dr. Emi.

The weather has warmed a bit, but bird migration is still slow. A few new birds are trickling in - like this gorgeous Brown Thrasher - but for the most part it’s still all kinglets, all day! https://braddockbaybirdobservatory.wordpress.com//recap-k/

First warbler of the season! This handsome Pine Warbler was captured right after sunrise today. He is only the 27th Pine Warbler to be banded at BBBO, and he's just the second older male. Feast your eyes! https://wordpress.com//braddockbaybirdobservatory.wor/8606

Common Grackles are not so common once you stop to appreciate their iridescence. The beauty we caught today had a little something extra . . . three white feathers in her crown.