Male Black-throated Blue Warbler

Temperatures are cooling, a few leaves are changing color in the higher elevations, and migratory birds are beginning their journey south to warmer lands. Southern Appalachian Raptor Research (SARR) volunteers set up mist nets for the fall season of banding at Big Bald on August 23, 2014. Numbers of birds banded have gradually picked up over the past two weeks. Eighteen species of warblers have been banded so far, including a Mourning Warbler, the first ever banded at Big Bald. Other warbler species include Kentucky, Blackburnian, Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Cape May, Magnolia, and the record highest daily number of Black-throated Blue Warblers banded at Big Bald two days in a row. Add a Broad-winged Hawk, a Scarlet Tanager, and Swainson’s Thrushes to the mix. Visit our Songbirds page to view our daily passerine data for the 2014 season and our Facebook page for photos. Visitors and volunteers are always welcome at the banding station, but please contact us at least a day in advance so we can give your name to the Wolf Laurel security gate.