Only in the last 2 days (May 9-10) have we seen the first true wave of migrating songbirds. On May 7 and 8, we banded 5 and 6 birds, respectively, but we've banded 81 the last 2 days - including 52 Hermit Thrushes. A couple of the best-looking birds captured today are shown below - including a hybrid male 'Myrtle' x 'Audubon's' (Yellow-rumped) Warbler; this is shown in the first 2 pictures below (mostly Myrtle features but a yellow wash to the throat) and is evidence as to why these are not considered distinct species .... Below the Yellow-rumped is a studly male MacGillivray's Warbler - one of three captured today.
Also, Carlos (our Venezuelan field assistant) and I took a trip yesterday afternoon to see the headwaters of Camas Creek (which runs through the refuge) in the mountains N of Dubois and E/NE of Spencer. Below, Carlos in front of some coniferous forest and West Camas Creek above the town of Kilgore ....
Happy birding,
Jay
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