Screech Owl and MLNP Banding

Although we had limited coverage in August, the fall banding program at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve commenced in earnest on September 1 this year. We have now operated the station for seven consecutive autumns, and this season has been quite productive thus far. A few highlights:

Both Gray-cheeked (above left) and Swainson's Thrushes (above right) have set high seasonal totals with 7 and 35, respectively. Both of these species also arrived early this year (on Sept. 1). Based on station results, the mean passage date for Swainson's is September 17; the average for Gray-cheeked is September 24. Also, in the fall, Swainson's outnumber Gray-cheeked Thrushes by a ratio of 4.4 to 1. We rarely capture Veeries at the station. This likely stems from their earlier departure chronology, a smaller reservoir of birds to the north, and a migratory track that may take many of them toward the Atlantic coast before a long flight to South America (as in Blackpoll and Connecticut Warblers).

Other early arrivals have been Fox Sparrows (one pictured above right, opposite a Hermit Thrush) on Sept. 26 and 28, and a Dark-eyed Junco on Sept. 24.

New daily records have included Hermit Thrush (14 on Oct. 8), Northern Waterthrush (3 on Sept. 8), Palm Warbler (7 on Sept. 25), and Yellow-rumped Warbler (35 on Sept. 25).

Particularly enjoyable was an Eastern Screech-Owl that we captured on October 8 (left photo). Not only was this the first owl that we have captured at the preserve, but it was the first rufous color-morph that I have ever banded in Michigan. By a wide margin, most of the Screech-Owls that I see locally are gray morphs (like the individual on the right - banded at Muskegon State Park). The opposite is true in southern states, but rufous morphs become less prevalent further north and after harsh winters.

As in past years, we will continue banding until either the migration tapers or cold temperatures dominate. Last fall, we were able to run the station to late November.

- Brian Johnson