Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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.

Fog

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!

Brown Thrasher

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

Brown Thrasher

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.

Fog

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.

Golden_Silk_Spider

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

Gray Catbird

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.

Fog

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.
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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!

Great Backyard Bird Count

Sunday, January 20, 2013

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.

Northern Cardinal

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

Hermit Thrush

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

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.

Innocence

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.

Ring-billed Gull

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

Orange-crowned Warbler

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

Swamp Sparrow

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!

White-eyed Vireo

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.

Water Drops

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.

Water Drops

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.

Tiger Moth

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.

Tiger Moth

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

Carolina Wren

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

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

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!

Great Backyard Bird Count

Sunday, January 13, 2013

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.

Spider Web

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

Spider Web

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.

Gray Catbird

The Earth Smoke is showing bigger and brighter blooms.

Earth Smoke

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.

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.

Northern Cardinal

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

Holly

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

Flowers

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.

American Alligator

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

Black and White Warbler

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

Black and White Warbler

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

White-eyed Vireo

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!

Blue-headed Vireo

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

Palm Warbler

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

Black and White Warbler

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

Black and White Warbler

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

Downy Woodpecker

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!

Great Backyard Bird Count

Sunday, January 6, 2013

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.

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.

Ovenbird

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

Hermit Thrush

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

Checking the Nets

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

Wild Radish

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

Gray Catbird

A Western Palm Warbler brightened our gray morning.

Western Palm Warbler

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..

Myrtle Warbler

Another recapture for the day was a Swamp Sparrow.

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.

Eastern Phoebe

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

Katydid

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

Katydid

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

Limpkin

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.