Fall banding update-late September
The second week of owl banding has been a super busy and fun one for us. The Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSWO) numbers have been increasing, and we have had a lot of fun hosting groups at the station. There have been a few nights where the weather has not been in our favor, but overall the nights have been great.
Adult plumage saw-whet on the left, and juvenile plumage on the right.
We have been banding at least 3 owls a night this week with our highest night being 17 owls! All have been NSWO, but we are hoping as the season continues we will begin to see Long-eared Owls and hopefully a handful of Boreal Owls too. We have had great age diversity amongst the NSWO with two still in their juvenile plumage and others ranging from hatch year (HY) to second year (SY) to after second year (ASY) and even a few third year (TY) owls. We have even had a few recaptures, some in-season, some from our summer banding and even one foreign recapture from Mackinac Straits.
This owl is more than two years old-we can tell from the pattern of new and old feathers on the wing.
As the weather begins to get colder and the nights become longer, we are hoping that the NSWO numbers will exponentially increase. With the new banding location for the fall, average banding numbers are unknown but Liv and I have a good feeling about the season. Working with the owls is so special and we are both so happy to be here and to meet all of the visitors who share similar passions with us!
Nature notes
In addition to owls, we have seen some other critters as well! We have had a few damp nights this week which has led to some super fun herping or in more basic terms, looking for frogs and salamanders. We have seen a great variety of species including Wood Frogs, American Toads, Spring Peepers, Blue-spotted Salamanders, Eastern Red-spotted Newts, and a Red-backed Salamander.
Blue-spotted Salamander
American Toad
Season total: 55 Northern saw-whet Owls
Bridget Schmidt, Fall Assistant Owl Bander
Other News
This week, the Friends of Whitefish Point held two new events: the first Fall Birding Tour, and the first ever Benefit House Concert! Both were a great success, and we loved having the opportunity to share the Whitefish Point area with everyone. You can check our website for upcoming events- we still have a fall birding tour in October with two slots left! www.friendsofwp.org/tours
FOWP birding tour watching a Spruce Grouse near Whitefish Point
Everyone at the house concert taking a quick photo break
Whorled band was a smashing success!