Hi folks,

11/3/07 Rockdale County, GA

Today we opened 5 nets at Panola Mountain State Park, from 8:30 until 11:40. Nets were set up in an area which is being managed to bring back native warm season grasses and forbes, and which has a new man-made wetland. We plan to band birds at this area approximately every two weeks through the winter.

We caught the following:

22 Song Sparrows 10 Field Sparrows 5 Swamp Sparrows 1 “Slate-colored” Dark-eyed Junco 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Western Palm Warbler 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

41 birds in 15 net-hours is pretty good for this time of year.

Of particular note was a Field Sparrow we caught with deformed feet. The left foot had only tiny stumps for 2 toes, one 1/2 length toe and one toe that was twisted slightly. It appeared to me to be a genetic defect, rather than result of a disease or injury.

This was QUITE different from 2 weeks ago when, in the same place, we hardly saw sparrows, caught over 2 dozen Western Palm Warblers and had to wrestle the Eastern Bluebirds out of the nets. Amazing how the seasons change and bring new excitement.

Some of the funding for equipment is a result of a grant from the Georgia Ornithological Society. Georgia DNR staff have been generous of their time and assistance.

Charlie Muise

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