Hummingbird banding

Bander about to release adult male Ruby throated Hummingbird, Whately, MA, August 4, 2012

Bander measuring bird Whately, MA, August 4, 2012

Bander measuring bird Whately, MA, August 4, 2012

Bander measuring bird Whately, MA, August 4, 2012

I made a trip up to Whately this morning to observe the hummingbird banding that has been conducted at this location for several years.  The banding is always done on a day in early August and the numbers of hummingbirds present is quite amazing.  Last year there was a total of 47 hummingbirds banded over the course of one morning.

Hanging feeder trap, Whately, MA, August 4, 2012

Feeder trap, Whately, MA, August 4, 2012

Yard where banding took place, Whately, MA, August 4, 2012

Yard where banding took place, Whately, MA, August 4, 2012

While I was there from early to mid morning a total of 18 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were captured with 4 being recaptures from previous years.  An additional two new birds were captured later in the morning plus another recapture.  The recaptures included two each from 2011 and 2010 as well as a single bird from 2009.  The recapture from 2009 has made the trip back and forth from Whately to Central America flying nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico six times.  Quite amazing for a bird that weighs just over a tenth of an ounce!   There is certainly site fidelity with this species.  The banding took place between 6am and noon with the largest numbers banded between 6-8:30am.  The majority of birds today were males with a small number of hatch year birds so perhaps the reduced captures from last year point toward a poor nesting season? 

Looking at the overall numbers of hummingbirds in this one yard is quite amazing and makes you wonder the true numbers present at any one location.  At home I have seen a maximum of five hummingbirds at once but the actual number present may be quite a bit greater.



Distant shot in haze of American Kestrel,

Turkey Vulture, Silvio Conte NWR, Hadley, MA, August 4, 2012

Following the hummingbird banding I headed back across the river into Hadley to see if I could catch up with some Black Vultures that have been seen in the fields south of the malls.  I have had some large gatherings of Turkey Vultures (20+) in the area of Moody Bridge Road the last few weeks but I have seen any Black Vultures.  I made numerous stops from late morning to midday in the area but could not find a Black Vulture.  There were 15+ Turkey Vultures in the area but no Black Vultures.  By this time of the day it was getting very warm with temperatures getting up toward 90 with high humidity and haze. 

Red-tailed Hawk, Arcadia meadows, August 4, 2012

Prior to heading up to Whately this morning I stopped briefly at Arcadia to make a quick check of the area to see if there was anything of interest around.  Nothing of note here beyond the expected species.