Week 4: Flycatcher Catching

Week 4 was a classic mid-August week for us at Rocky Point Bird Observatory. The Rufous Hummingbirds have started to disappear from stations, and the flycatchers begin to show in earnest. This week, the flycatchers were certainly the star of the show, with 1/3 of the total birds banded being either Willow or Western Flycatchers!

Late morning in the back meadow at Rocky Point. (David Bell)

This week Pedder Bay banded 122 new birds, bringing the season total to 724. Compared to the historical averages we're a bit behind, with week 4 averaging 176 new birds banded, and a season total of 787. Nothing to worry about though, big nights of migration will be coming soon! 

On the other hand, Rocky Point is way ahead of our usual averages. This week we banded 313 new birds, bringing our season total to 1274. The averages for week 4 are 210 new birds banded and a season total of 822. We're 2 weeks ahead of schedule right now, having banded as many birds as we usually do by September 1st!

Mid-August is the usual peak of flycatcher migration here on Southern Vancouver Island, and this week certainly proved that to be true. Between the two station we banded 67 Willow Flycatchers, 66 Western Flycatchers and 1 Hammond's Flycatcher. 

A hatch year Willow Flycatcher. (Emma Radziul)

A hatch year Western Flycatcher. (Evan Larson)

An after hatch year Hammond's Flycatcher (Emma Radziul)

Flycatchers are one of the easiest groups of birds to age, with the colour of the wingbars indicating hatch year or after hatch year. The Willow and Western Flycatchers above show buffy wingbars, making them hatch year birds. Compare that to the bright white wing bars of the after hatch year Hammond's Flycatcher and you can see how easy ageing flycatchers can be. Next time you're out in the field see if you can age the flycatchers you see!

We also had two season firsts this week, a Northern Flicker (Red-Shafted x Yellow-Shafted) and an Audubon's Yellow-Rumped Warbler. We can tell this flicker is an intergrade between Red-Shafted and Yellow-Shafted as it shows the red moustache of a Red-Shafted and the red hind-crown of the Yellow-Shafted. 

A hatch-year Red-Shafted x Yellow-Shafted Flicker (Evan Lewis)

The beautiful orangey shafts of Intergrade Flicker feathers. (Evan Lewis)

It's always a treat to catch after hatch year birds, as we all enjoy seeing adult characteristics! This week we had a couple great examples. First up, this after second year male Western Tanager.

Look at that colour! (David Bell)

We also caught this lovely after hatch year male MacGillivary's Warbler. The handsome black mask and only shows in adult birds. 

A MacGillivary's Warbler (Evan Lewis)

It may be the slow season at Rocky Point Bird Observatory but this week had many highlights. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help, we look forward to seeing you next week! 

Sunrise at Rocky Point. (David Bell)

Week 4 by the numbers!