Greetings folks as part of their bander training we made a trek to the marsh today to hopefully band some redwinged blackbirds we manged to band 4 new redwings and 2 retraps from a few years ago but we were a bit suprised to band over 40 american tree sparrows andthere were plenty on the move. We also retrapped a male purple finch whcih i am sure is the earliest we have ever caught a purple finch although barry kinch may have an earlier record at Mountain chutes. We also had retraps of downy woodpeckers and a white breasted nuthatch was hear calling. Small flocks of geese and ducks were seen as well some mallards a common merganser and a hooded merganser and a common goldeneye were seen in the blanche river by the bridge just past Hilliardton. As well Shelby hearn was bale to spot and identify a rough legged hawk over the marsh near the banding area. Well done Shelby and the others that picked out the eyespots. I was a bit suprised not to hear a song sparrow yet perhaps tomorrow. Unfortunately no banding is scheduled for easter weekend as all banders are on the move this weekend. Will post our next weekend we are available.