Banding On San Andres Island: Are They "Our" Birds, Or "Theirs"?

Although we tend to think of backyard birds in the U.S. and Canada as "ours," many local species depart for the tropics each fall to spend the winter in Central or South America. Recently we were privileged to work with 60-plus Colombian conservationists on San Andres Island in the Caribbean, helping teach them how to safely capture, band, and monitor Neotropical migrant birds that are also "theirs."

"This Week at Hilton Pond" we summarize our intensive and sometimes harrowing two-week experience with lots of photos of island flora and fauna, including some of an endangered endemic and the local hummingbird species. To view the photo essay for 22 Oct-7 Nov 2005, please visit the Web site for Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History by clicking on the title above.

The Web account is long with many images, so it may take a while to load.


Happy (International) Nature Watching!

BILL

Slow Start, Fast Ending for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

We've been out of the country for the past 16 days (more about that NEXT week), so we've fallen behind in our postings of "This Week at Hilton Pond." However, we'd be remiss in not summarizing the 2005 hummingbird banding season, so that's the topic for our 15-21 October 2005 installment.

To read a summary of our 22nd year of banding Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History, please click on the title above. We've woven in some speculation that might explain some of our unexpected results.

As always, we include a summary of all birds banded during the period--plus a note about a new and rather odoriferous addition to the Hilton Pond mammal list.

Happy Nature Watching!

BILL

Audubon's "Extra" Warbler

Although Alexander Wilson and John James Audubon were outstanding early ornithologists, they still made errors in identifying North American songbirds. One species that gave them fits--we call it Audubon's "Extra" Warbler--is the topic of discussion for the latest "This Week at Hilton Pond." To view the photo essay about this confusing fall migrant, please visit the installment for 8-14 October 2005 by clicking on the words "Audubon's 'Extra' Warbler" in the title above.

As always, we include a list of all birds banded during the period, as well as a few nature notes and a comment about our waning Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.


Happy Nature Watching!

BILL

All Galls Are Divided Into Three Parts (At Least In Goldenrod)

We've always been fascinated by Goldenrod galls and what causes them, so "This Week at Hilton Pond" we decided to investigate a little further to see just what was in some of these plant tumors. To view the photo essay for 1-7 October 2005, please click on the title words in the title above: All Galls Are Divided Into Three Parts (At Least In Goldenrod).

As always we include a tally of all birds banded--including a mug shot of a Gray-cheeked Thrush--as well as a collection of interesting nature observations during the period. There's also a note about our success to date at catching Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

Happy Nature Watching!

BILL