We have just finished compiling data for the 2010 season (Apr 1st - Oct
31st) at Colony Farm Regional Park.



A total of 6,213 new birds were banded of 69 species taking the total of
species banded at Colony Farm since spring of 2009 to 78. In addition 1,302
significant retraps were processed with some very interesting returns from
birds banded in 2009. It never ceases to amaze me how birds can overwinter
in the Neotropics and navigate back not just to south-western BC or the
lower mainland or even to Colony Farm but that they can find their way back
to the exact location they were previously. One Savannah Sparrow banded on
the 8th August 2009 was retrapped on the 5th August 2010 in the same net!



New species banded for Colony Farm this year included Band-tailed Pigeon
(Columba fasciata), Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri), Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina), European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea), Merlin (Falco columbarius), Nashville Warbler (Vermivora
ruficapilla), Northern Waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis), Steller's Jay
(Cyanocitta stelleri), Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius), House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)



Other birds of interest recorded at VARC censuses and surveys included
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens), Yellow-breasted Chat
(Icteria virens), Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) and Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus).



We completed 10,502 net hours which was amazing and thanks to all the VARC
volunteers who made this massive effort possible.



More detailed information on these results can be found online at
www.birdvancouver.com <http://www.birdvancouver.com/> Just click on
Research > Results



Special thanks to Kerry Kenwood, Debbie Wheeler and Penny Longman for all
their help and patience with the data analysis - it's nice having volunteers
with PhDs!



We have now switched to Burnaby Lake for the winter banding program where we
are conducting net extraction training over the winter months ahead of
spring migration when we will open the Colony Farm station for the 2011
season. We have big plans to further evolve the banding program next year!



We are also revamping the website and blog which we hope will be a useful
tool for birders and banders interested in learning more about VARC research
and molt in NA landbirds.



We operate a wide open door policy with regard to visitors and any Tweeters
from WA who are in the Vancouver, BC area in the spring would be very
welcome to visit - it would be great to see you!



Happy Christmas bird counting!



Derek



Derek Matthews

Master Bander / Bander-in-Charge

Vancouver Avian Research Centre

Vancouver, BC, Canada