As a beginner birder (birdwatcher if you want to get technical) I find it hard to identify birds just by checking with a drawing and description in a field guide. I prefer pictures. But the more advanced birders seem to like the drawings better. The more advanced birder you are, the more likely you can understand the detailed descriptions. I’m still at the picture-book stage. But that doesn’t stop me from truly enjoying and learning from the masters (Sarah and Tom.) Unfortunately, the bird banding at Presque Isle is coming to a close and I’ll have to wait for the fall migration to see more after next week. The birds I touched, held or observed closely will forever be a part of my knowledge. I have already surprised myself by identifying some of them in the wild at a glance. Some will always be hard to identify without holding them, checking their eye color, their feathers etc.

These are a few of the birds that were banded on Presque Isle Thursday. The slightly off-focus ones are because I forgot to change setting for the conversion tele lens to off (there always seem to be an excuse.) I’m still learning.
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Aren’t I pretty? Red-eyed Vireo
Wilson’s WarblerWilsons Warbler getting banded.Elvis has entered the building. Wilsons Warbler
Northern Water Thrush
Northern Water Thrush. We think he got slightly injured in the bag scratching to get out. It was a small scratch. Sarah blew on the wound to help clot it and that’s why the feathers are ruffled. It looks worse than it was. He seemed fine and flew away strong. They are very striking birds.
A Wood Thrush. I was very impressed with the beautiful brown color and spots.
You’ll pay for this!

Sarah showing the hummingbird to delighted school children before being released.
We caught some hummingbirds but they don’t get banded at this station. There were many, many Yellow Warblers and Gray Catbirds as well as Redstarts and a flycatcher banded. Two groups of 1-3rd graders came to watch the banding. You could tell there were some future bird lovers in the group. Also helping out Thursday was Julie Appletree and Toni Kelly of the blog Spattering.