Fast Start but Quick Quiet

A nice crisp morning at the banding site but not much movement by birds. We did catch a good number of birds and, once again, half our captures were Gray Catbirds. We did manage to get some other interesting captures like one of our resident pairs of Carolina Wrens. They have taken up house behind Net 17 in the woods but wander out from time to time.



Common Yellowthroats live nearly year-round in the marshy areas of the park but we used to catch them farther up river this time of year. Seems there may be a decline in this species over the past couple of years. This male was caught by the marsh.



Also down by the marsh are the flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds. One of the reasons we set Net 21 down there was to hopefully catch some. Mission accomplished today as we captured two adult males.



Just beyond Net 21 is the point where the Little Wekiva enters Lake Lotus. We have a trail that leads to the mouth of the river and often do some bird watching from there. Way out in the middle of the lake a bull Alligator follows a smaller gator toward the eastern cove.



Closer to shore, a Common Gallinule wades in.



Nearby, a lone remaining American Coot putts around the pier area. Most Coots have headed back North throughout Central Florida.



A pair of Boat-tailed Grackles searched for food and took baths in the shallow water while showing off their beautiful blues and purples.



Then, out of nowhere, a juvenile White Ibis strode out to do a little foraging.



One of our final capture of the day was our second Northern Waterthrush in as many weeks. Seems they go up through here during the Spring and down farther up in the Fall.



Earth Day celebrations at the park are next week so we will be there (see below). It will be interesting to see if we catch our old friends we have banded there over the past few years.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 22th.

NOTE: This is Earth Day at Lake Lotus! We will not be at our usual spot but inside the park itself. We will be doing banding demos all day until 3:00 PM. Parking is available at the tram lot across the street from Lake Lotus. The main hours for the event are from 10 AM to 3 PM. There is a bird watching tour that begins at 7:30 AM. Call 407-293-8885 if you plan of attending the birding tour.

All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.