Fall 2002 Data From
Thunder Cape Bird Observatory

The twenty most common species banded at Thunder Cape
in the fall of 2002, with 1991-2002 rank.

2002
Rank
Species 2002
# 12 Yr.
Rank
1 Northern Saw-whet Owl 413 3
2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 383 10
3 American Redstart 217 5
4 Tennessee Warbler 199 8
5 Western Palm Warbler 195 6
6 Savannah Sparrow 192 12
7 Lapland Longspur 188 -
8 Snow Bunting 174 -
9 Myrtle Warbler 161 7
10 Brown Creeper 144 17
11 Slate-coloured Junco 139 2
12 Chipping Sparrow 127 16
13 Sharp-shinned Hawk 119 4
14 Northern Waterthrush 118 -
15 Downy Woodpecker 114 -
16 Black-capped Chickadee 111 1
17 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 103 -
18 Nashville Warbler 96 11
19 Rusty Blackbird 91 -
20 Song Sparrow 75 -

2002 Rank	Species	2002 #	12 Yr. Rank
1	Northern Saw-whet Owl	413	3
2	Golden-crowned Kinglet	383	10
3	American Redstart	217	5
4	Tennessee Warbler	199	8
5	Western Palm Warbler	195	6
6	Savannah Sparrow	192	12
7	Lapland Longspur	188	-
8	Snow Bunting	174	-
9	Myrtle Warbler	161	7
10	Brown Creeper	144	17
11	Slate-coloured Junco	139	2
12	Chipping Sparrow	127	16
13	Sharp-shinned Hawk	119	4
14	Northern Waterthrush	118	-
15	Downy Woodpecker	114	-
16	Black-capped Chickadee	111	1
17	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	103	-
18	Nashville Warbler	96	11
19	Rusty Blackbird	91	-
20	Song Sparrow	75	-

by Jody Allair
The fall produced 181 species of birds inside 91 days of effort (with one day lost to logistical reasons) from 1 August to 31 October. The fall banding total was 4501 birds of 91 species/forms. Fall 2002 produced only a few recoveries, the highlight being a Northern Saw-Whet Owl that was banded in 2001 near Kiptopeke, Virginia and recovered on the evening on 16 September at the Cape.
Several record high banding totals were broken this fall including 6 Least Sandpipers, 144 Brown Creepers, 383 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 10 Eastern Bluebirds, 29 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 118 Northern Waterthrushes, and 91 Rusty Blackbirds.
Some record lows included 119 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 5 Least Flycatchers. Two notable absences from the banding totals this fall were Pine Siskin and Broad-winged Hawk.

Fall 2002 Highlights

Common Ground Dove observed on August 14
Franklin's Gull, 1st year, seen August 21 and 22
Lark Bunting, September 3-9, banded
Lark Sparrow, two banded, September 4 and 9
Parasitic Jaeger, 2 on September 2, one on September 9
Jaeger sp., two seen, August 30 and September 2
Red-headed Woodpecker, September 18, October 1 and October 12
Red-throated Loon, 39 observed, including 17 on September 20
Western Kingbird, October 12
Golden Eagle, 19 individuals observed
Townsend's Solitaire, October 30
Notable events:
September 23 - 514 Broad-winged Hawks counted.
October 2 - 113 Northern Saw-whet Owls banded.
October 5 - a record late Connecticut Warbler was banded
October 14 - the Cape's first Red-tailed Hawk was banded.
October 15 - a late Yellow Warbler showed up.
October 16 - an American Bittern was banded for the first time.
October 18 - a flock of 122 Snow Geese was observed.
October 18 - the first Great Horned Owl was banded (captured by hand).

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Fall 2002 Data From Thunder Cape Bird Observatory

Fall 2002 Highlights

Fall 2002 Data From
Thunder Cape Bird Observatory