Fog, Anyone?

The weather was nice enough when most of us left home well before dawn. We set nets and did a bit of maintenance before the first run. Then the fog began to set in. This is the most foggy Winter we can remember with almost everyday starting off with some degree of it around sunrise and beyond. Today dealt us a heavy dose.



A few birds were stirring just after sunrise. We had to stop and think for a minute when we heard one bird calling. What was it? Think, think...ah, yes. Brown Thrashers are beginning to sing again. Have to get used to all the Spring calls again since it has been so warm this year. As we all made it back toward the banding table, two Brown Thrashers were captured!



Andrew banded the bird above and Becki tried her hand on Thrasher number 2. Both were 2nd year birds.



Can't recall the last time we couldn't see the lake even when there was fog. Today, we are socked in and the stuff just kept on getting thicker.



The Barred Owls were seen and heard today. Over near the nest tree on our side, Spiny and Golden Silk Spiders weave away next to the river.



Later on, we recaptured a Gray Catbird and Greg dug into the texts to determine age and other relevant data.



We only captured four birds today. Not too surprising when you have scenes like this. This was our view at 9 AM(!). The Sun was having a rough time burning through.



30 minutes later, the clouds broke and the birds...went quiet. So we wrapped up the morning and headed home.

Normal temperatures will still abound next weekend. Just take some of this fog away. Please.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 3rd.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
Click the icon to learn more!

A Bunch of Recaptures

Would it rain or not? There was a slight chance and rain on the cars at 5 AM but, fortunately, the clouds thinned out fairly early and we enjoyed a pleasant morning catching birds and finding new discoveries. All but 2 of our birds captured today were recaptures.

Our first bird of the morning was a male Northern Cardinal. We capture this bird every few weeks. His territory with a female runs directly across where Net 9 is placed and he ends up in the same spot in the net time after time. He is nice and healthy. Maybe we can band some of his brood this year.



A wintering Hermit Thrush is still hanging out near the banding table.



Our first new bird of the day was an adult Gray Catbird.



Up and down the net lanes we are getting many clumps of blooming Innocence (Houstonia procumbens). There is a large patch right under Net 2.



Before the clouds begin to burn off, a Ring-billed Gull circled Lake Lotus in the gray morning. We see a lot of Forster's Terns but few gulls here.



An interesting recapture from Net 16. An Orange-crowned Warbler. This is the first Orange-crowned we have recaptured.



Not far away, a recaptured Swamp Sparrow joined the tally sheet.



Another frequent visitor. We keep catching this same White-eyed Vireo this season. I think we would know it was the same bird by its feisty demeanor even if there were no band on it!



Time to check the lake for any water birds. Not many. Instead, our attention is drawn to the dew collecting in the center of broad, green leaves of the dasheen in the marshy areas.



The various droplet configurations can mesmerize you as you search for the perfect arrangement and direction of light to make them sparkle all the more.



While studying the droplets, another very interesting sight snaps us back into curiosity mode. Out here in this marshy mess is something unexpected. A caterpillar.



Researching (and finally breaking down to check with Mary and Randy) the closest we can come is that this is a species of Tiger Smeared Dagger Moth caterpillar. Nice.



Greg gets a Carolina Wren and heads back to the table to process the data.



Our final bird was our other new capture. A young male Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Notice the couple of orange-red feathers in the crown.



We have now had several weeks of mornings where we don't catch the same species twice (except for last week when we had two Catbirds) which makes the mornings more interesting. Not that we wouldn't mind a Sunday full of Yellow-rumped Warblers or Cedar Waxwings...
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 20th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
Click the icon to learn more!

Wintering Species Encounters

Not shrouded in fog today but the dew point was hit early so plenty of wet feet. The oaks were dripping all morning and dew clung to everything in sight including our nets and spider webs.



As the day wore on the dew gathered in larger drops.



Catbirds were very vocal and more active to day. We captured one first thing in the morning and we saw them scooting through the brush up and down the river.



The Earth Smoke is showing bigger and brighter blooms.



Most of the birds we captured today were recaps. These birds have either returned from previous years or were recently banded and staying for the Winter like this little House Wren.



We did get one new bird today. A female Northern Cardinal. Becki got her first opportunity to band a bird here and did a fine job.



The Holly we planted along the river is filling up with berries.



Other flowers are speckling the ground cover all the way to the lake.



Andrew and Greg have been extending the path through the grass and have made it to the edge of the lake. Now that things are warming up, the gators are starting to swim all over the place. Time to watch our step.



Becki spotted a Black and White Warbler up in the tree. It was scanning the bark for something to eat.



It seemed most interested in a piece of bark before heading back to another tree.



A White-eyed Vireo joined us for some data and photo time.



Some data we get simply by taking photos. Andrew was trying to take a picture of one of the many Blue-headed Vireos but they never came into the light. Pictures were taken anyway. Once on the computer an interesting sight. This is one of our banded birds!



Back out at the lake edge, a Palm Warbler hops through the trees but the sunlight glints off of something. Another banded bird!!



The Black and White Warbler made another appearance in the shade. Still a pretty bird even out of the sunlight.



These warblers are seen climbing all over the trees, even upside down. Check out those large feet which enable their nimble climbing.



Trying to hide lower on the tree was a male Downy Woodpecker. We can see you...



No new migrant captures but we could hear many Waxwings around and the Red-winged Blackbirds are getting more active. Next Saturday, the crew heads to the Gulf coast to round up sparrows and then back here on Sunday!
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 20th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
Click the icon to learn more!

An Interesting Mix

Weather and birds were a mixed bag today. Weather-wise, it was forecast to either be a chance of rain or outright pouring in the morning but we ended up with fog for a while, no rain, and then a gorgeous morning. Bird-wise, things were very noisy and we never caught the same species twice. Our first bird of the day was an unexpected Ovenbird.



Ovenbirds are one of the earliest migrants through Florida but they are a bit more hit-or-miss in January. Charles got to release the bird which stayed on his hand for a minute before heading off into the scrub.



Next up, a Hermit Thrush we originally banded two months ago.



Greg and Becki lead the way as we check the nets in the increasing fog.



Across the river, the Wild Radish has begun to bloom.



An adult Gray Catbird added to the list for the day.



A Western Palm Warbler brightened our gray morning.



A female Myrtle Warbler made a welcome appearance. There were many down at the mouth of the river but most stayed at the tops of the willows..



Another recapture for the day was a Swamp Sparrow.



Our last bird for the morning was an Eastern Phoebe. We were just discussing how we don't hear as many all of the sudden and then this one shows up.



As we were closing up for the day, Christine discovered a Katydid hanging out in the Guinea Grass.



This very large Katydid didn't like to sit for too long so these were the best shots we could get.



Just before we closed up, the Sun came out. A Limpkin was feeding close by for most of the morning and provided excellent viewing.



Weather is to remain unseasonably warm for next week. Maybe we can catch a Waxwing. We can continue to dream.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 13th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.