Guess the Peak Was a Little Late.

We thought the migration peak was early this year, but after the hurricaane passed, it seems like they were waiting a bit longer.

Isiasas blocked the East Coast and then soared through the Southeast and headed into New Engalnd. That opened a new path straight down Florida instead of Texas as it was before. We held off on banding Sunday, since it looked like things were blocked, and then saw an opening the following day. A few of us had the day off, so, we decided this was a good chance to get out early on a surprise Monday opportunity.

It paid off!

With a reduced crew, we set nets and waited a few minutes after sunrise before the birds began to hit. And Hit. And hit. We probably could have continued into the afternoon, but many of the crew had appointments and we decided to close as usual just after 10AM.

It still took a while longer as we began to close nets and still some birds were getting captured. We ended the day with a nice count and thought about next weekend. Which, BTW, might be a washout. Guess the Bird of the Day was our male Painted Bunting and throw in a female American Redstart.

Visit the Facebook page for images of today's captures here.

Again, there may be another weird front on the weekend, but we do plan on being there next Sunday. Check back here for updates.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Carolina Wren	1	1	2
Gray Catbird	14	0	14
Ovenbird	2	0	2
Northern Cardinal	3	0	3
House Wren	5	0	5
Painted Bunting	1	0	1
American Restart	1	0	1
Common Yellowthroat	12	1	13
Totals	39	2	41

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, October 18th.
All nets will be opened by 7:05 A.M.

No banding October 11th, but Banding October 12th.

Looks like the hurricane will be shutting migration down until it clears. We could see more rain through Sunday.

Sleep in Sunday, show up Monday if you want.

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, October 12th.
All nets will be opened by 7:05 A.M.

Sloppy, Wet Start. Better Wrap Up.

Seems the peak was last week. Still hearing Catbirds and other locals, but, a big rain last night left us with wet conditions and nothing really moving until after 9 AM. In fact, nothing was moving across the lanes all day.

Students from UCF were out in force and a few got to release birds. Still kind of a disappointment with fewer birds around. Seems they decided to head to Texas where the air was clearer for a bit.

Visit the Facebook page for images of today's captures here.

Big front will be moving across the Gulf. Maybe even a storm by next week. We shall see. Check Back for updates before Sunday. Maybe the front will push birds back to the East unless we are rained out on our side.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
White-eyed Vireo	0	1	1
Swainson's Thrush	1	0	1
Ovenbird	1	0	1
Red-belllied Woodpecker	1	0	1
Veery	1	0	1
Common Yellowthroat	1	0	1
Totals	5	1	6

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, October 11th.
All nets will be opened by 7:05 A.M.

Catbirds Arrive Early

Signs in the weather felt like things were going to pick up early this year. Last year was a bust, but, this week did not dissapoint! Many migrants arrived early. Catbirds usually do not get here until the first of October. Here they were. We were also hearing a few Vireos and woodpeckers. A House Wren escaped the nets right after dawn.

We had some nice birds, including Gray-cheeked Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, and a rare capture of our second Cooper's Hawk in nearly 20 years. A female Redstart added to the fun, as did an adult Brown Thrasher.

Visit the Facebook page for images of today's captures here.

Next week could be even busier.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Carolina Wren	6	2	8
Swainson's Thrush	1	0	1
Gray-cheeked Thrush	1	0	1
American Redstart	1	0	1
Brown Trasher	1	0	1
Cooper's Hawk	1	0	1
Gray Catbird	5	0	5
Common Yellowthroat	6	0	6
Totals	22	2	24

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, October 4th.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.

New Season is Upon Us

SO! You might notice there are no photos on the blog any longer. My web provider for over 20 years decided to shut down, without notice, and all of my photos were located there.

When I have a new site restored, the photos will return. In the meantime, I am going to load weekly photos to a Facebook page which is located here.

All other info will remain here as we venture forth into the 2026 Fall season.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Carolina Wren	2	0	2
Northern Cardinal	1	0	1
Worm-eating Warbler	1	0	1
American Redstart	1	0	1
Tufted Titmouse	2	1	3
White-eyed Vireo	3	0	3
Totals	10	1	11

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 27th.
All nets will be opened by 6:55 A.M.

That's a Wrap!

Another rather slow day. Migration has pushed up Texas and we haven't had any migrating warblers since...I would have to look it up. Where are the House Wrens, Hermit Thruses, Butter-butts, Vireos, etc.? Nothing like normal. Actually since Hurricane Milton. Things have just shifted all over the place. Add in the return of our bear and I am done with this season.

We will take the Summer off and try to get back in September. I will try to get this photo hosting thing figured out and might have to get a new one before updating banding data. Jenny is with her new baby girl and we will start seeing what we have to do to update the poles before the Fall. Hoping for a hurricane-free middle of the year. Enjoy your Sundays!

See everyone in September.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Carolina Wren	1	0	1
Northern Cardinal	1	1	2
Northern Parula	3	0	3
Totals	5	1	6

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 20th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

Feels Like a Summer Day...

Meaning is that it was super still. Like it gets in the middle of many Summer days. Very quiet, very still. Nothing moving. But, without the heat and humidity, thankfully.

We had a few visitors and the same number of birds. So, at least everyone got to release a bird. Other than that...at least it seems like the bear has moved along. Knock silicon...

Rain is expected this weekend so feel free to sleep in.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Carolina Wren	0	1	1
Gray Catbird	1	0	1
Common Yellowthroat	2	0	2
Northern Parula	1	0	1
Totals	4	1	5

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, May 10th.
All nets will be opened by 6:25 A.M.

Gratitude

Andrew here.

It has been a long year and a half. It all started with Hurricane Milton that flooded the whole banding site for a while. My Mom sought shelter in Jacksonville, her home town, and died a few weeks later fom natural causes. Things have not the same for me of the banding site since.

This week was also the 10th anniversary of my Dad's death. I had never registered that is was Earth Day then, too.

This year has been full of adversity, especially from the bear that is roaming around bending of our poles and messing with things around the table and digging a large hole at the front gate to get in and out. I have been pretty depressed about banding for a while. Lower numbers of birds doesn't help, either.

Then, the Knighthawks arrived. Unannounced. They are a bird watching group from UCF. Ended up with dozens of students waiting to see the banding processes that we do here. Birds were sporatic and a few students were able to release the birds as we finished collecting data. The day was a pretty good success overall.

It made me change my brain a bit. I have been down for quite a while. Seeing these students come in and enjoy the banding process swung my mood around. When things were slow, they ventured off to study plants and insects, and whatever else was around. Much like what we core volunteers have done for 20 years. It gave me a sense of hope after all this time of dispare seeing them just soaking in the environment, learning everything they could, and enjoying the world. Maybe this year can brighten a bit before we close for the Summer...

I need to embrace the moments like this. As Connie Says, "It is what it is".

We hope for some birds this Sunday, as always.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Ovenbird	1	0	1
Gray Catbird	6	0	6
Northern Cardinal	1	1	0
Totals	7	1	8

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 26th.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Fickle Year

Sigh. What a weird year. Was getting busier and then silent again. What will next Sunday be?

Migration forecast looks to be a bit better. Shall see.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Northern Parula	0	1	1
Northern Cardinal	1	1	2
Totals	1	2	3

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 19th.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

Parents are getting a Workout

We could tell that the bear was still around during our absence since the hold at the front gate is deeper and has fresh claw marks in it. Fortunately, it left our poles undisturbed for the first time in months.

A bit more active today as we can hear chicks calling and the parents are busy fining food to stuff in those beaks. We ended up with more birds than we have had since last Fall.

Looks like a nice weekend ahead and hope to keep increasing our numbers..

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Carolina Wren	2	1	3
Gray Catbird	3	0	3
Northern Cardinal	2	2	4
Northern Parula	1	0	1
Totals	8	3	11

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 12th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.