Summer Journals

Today we did a full nest check, which means that we checked all of the nest boxes to see what is inside.  During this time we also try to catch female Prothonotary warblers in order to document weight, height, feather samples, and blood samples.  These samples are then used to determine reproductive fitness.  While checking the boxes, we also put silver bands and color bands on the feet of the females so that their information can be added to a data base, so we know all the information from that cetain female at any time.  The nest boxes can contain eggs or nestlings, or both.  If the box contains nestlings, we put silver bands and colored bands on the nestling's legs, take measurements, and take blood samples.  This information will also be used to determine fitness by comparing the health of the offspring.

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