Monday, June 2, 2008

Fledging day


So today was fledging day. For those who don't know that's the day the nestling leave the nest. For our project we try to get there before they leave the nest to get a few last measurements. It's also a great time to catch mom and dad and get some measures on them. It's among the more exciting things we do, but to balance out the fun it happens right as the sun comes up. So, if the nest is a mile and a half hike down a rock and stream strewn trail, we get to get up extra early and use our headlamps to hike out there. This morning was textbook. The nestlings were still there, and we had set up mist nets (very thin, fine nets used to gently catch birds) the evening prior. So we opened the nets and grabbed the young ones. The parents try to dive bomb us, and in the process wind up in the net, hanging on their back like their in a hammock. In less than 5 minutes we have the whole family. Now we take our measurements and then release everyone, then hike back up the hill. We were back at the field station before 6:45am.
Field work is not for the weak.
The picture is a fledgling from last summer's field season in South Dakota, which explains the dry brown grass and pine trees in the background. Virginia is much greener and leafier.