Presque Isle State Park Bird Banding

Yesterday I banded at Erie Bluffs, 15 miles west of Presque Isle. The nets are in a north-facing forest bordered to the south by a corn field. This type of edge habitat attracts a wide variety of species and while I was working I heard Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Towhees and at least one Pileated Woodpecker.  There were a lot of fallen branches and other debris in the net lanes, so I didn't open nets until close to noon. The weather at that point began getting cloudy and the winds became variable. I left the nets open until 3:30 PM and had several nice surprises in the nets.

Most of us don't consider Blue Jays to be migrants, but today there were good numbers of them feeding in the corn field and flying up into the forest. At one point a flock of 30 jays flew west along the forest edge. Two of them found my nets and weren't happy about it.



I was hoping that they'd raise their crests for me, but they didn't oblige.


Gram for gram, Black-capped Chickadees are among the toughest of birds.



They spend a lot of time letting you know that they're not afraid and that if they were just a bit bigger you'd be in trouble.




Had enough?




I didn't think so.



This female Northern Cardinal was gorgeous, and very well-behaved.




I really liked the red highlights in her crest.




The male was less friendly. I gave him something to chew on while I banded him. He didn't let go of the stick until I released him.