Pretty Day

It was a pretty day, though chilly before the sunlight made it over the trees. There still are not a lot of birds around and most of our captures were recaptures. We did end up with a new Gray Catbird among the others.



Hermit Thrushes are usually found in the lower half of the nets but this recaptures was way up top.



We had a couple of visitors and they were allow to learn about the birds we caught and then got to release them back into the woods.



House Wrens have been around but quiet. Another recapture. Two new Palm Warblers were brought in before the end of the morning.



Despite the cold, the Florida fauna is fairly convinced that Spring is basically right around the corner. Most trees are blooming or pushing out fresh growth like the Willows toward the lake.



For the second weekend in a row we had a male Anhinga hanging out and fishing in the river before spending some time in the breeze drying his feathers. He shows no fear unlike most of his species.



Yellow-rumped Warblers have been few and far between this Winter but we did see at least 3 of them today.



The resident Little Blue Heron was finding a nice resting spot in the neighbor's Bottlebrush tree.



The sand around Net 21 revealed some nice tracks but they were carelessly stepped on by all of us before a picture was taken. Fortunately, the cat seemed to have come from the lakeside and left more tracks in the mud. We haven't spotted the Bobcat this Winter but it is out there.



As we headed home, the American Alligator that now calls this part of the river home was up basking in the sunlight. I am sure we will see it again next week.



One more week before the Birdapalooza Festival on Feb. 7th. Waiting for more birds in the area.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 1st.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

Quite a Mix of Encounters

It wasn't a terribly busy day but we did find some fun discoveries, as always. The morning started off in a familiar way with the capture of a Northern Cardinal we first banded 3 1/2 years ago.



We mentioned last week that the Ruby-crowned Kinglets more numerous and active now and we did catch a couple today. Last year we caught mostly females but the males were on display today. Think Andrew has had to dig in the soil already today?



Richard got to band the second male Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the day.



As the morning wore on we spotted our now resident American Alligator below the banding table. Oddly, it had a mouthful of what appeared to be a garbage bag. When we have heavy rains, like we did again last week, tons of trash washes down the river from the city. Maybe our gator found something interesting smelling? The bag didn't seem to be choking the animal but we called the rangers to let them know what we were seeing. As Andrew was taking photos he began to form a possible reason for this incident...



Once the photos were opened on the computer it was made more clear what was going on and suspected. There was, indeed, something about that bag that attracted the gator. Maybe it was tangled up before but we could now make out that there is a duck in that mass. The first thought of the bird being banded was wrong. It was just flaps of skin. So, our gator was just having breakfast. A bit later it was seen moving up to its usual sunning spot and doing just fine.



Richard brought out the ladder to check on the nest boxes for the first time of the year. Flying Squirrels nearly often make a home for themselves in some of the boxes. We count at least 5 in this one.



At Net 21, now partially flooded again after the latest rain, we found a male Anhinga flying about and drying on a branch a short distance from the net. Just stay on that side and out of the net!



The Anhinga spent a lot of time here and even dropped down for a drink and took some time to catch a fish to eat before posing for us once more before heading out toward the lake.



We found two birds that we have previously banded today. One was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher busily foraging next to the river.



Becki refound one of our Orange-crowned Warblers. Maybe the one we banded last week or the one we banded two years ago that has been around, too.



Pileated Woodpeckers have been very vocal of late and the male flew in close to the net lanes in a burst of noise and color.



A Gray Catbird added to our captures for the day.



We also caught our first Myrtle Warbler of the season today. Checking the records, we were catching them almost exclusively last year here at Lake Lotus and at every event we were at through February. There just have not been very many of them here this year. Nice to get the first one under our belts.



Andrew checked the retention ponds on the way home, of course. A few Hooded Mergansers are in their usual spot.



Next Saturday we hope to help our friend, Marianne, in rounding up sparrows and then will be back home next Sunday.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 25th.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

A Day of Crowns

We were beginning to have deja vu early in the morning. It was around 7:30 AM and we only had two birds in the book. Last week we caught all three before 7:30. Would we suffer the same slow day? Yes, and no. Our first two were recaptures and included a Northern Cardinal and a Carolina Wren.



We did then have to wait a while before more birds took flight during this gloomy day. It then became a day of crowns. One of the birds finally being heard in number were the Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Mid-morning we first caught a pair in the same net. By pair, we really mean a pair. The female...



...and the male Ruby-crowned Kinglet together in the net. The male adult's crown is pretty easy to see on older birds.



Another 'new' Carolina Wren? Yep. A regal adult.



At that point, a small down burst showered down upon us causing us to wonder if we should shut down for the day. It didn't last too long and, after checking the internet for radar, we decided to keep the nets up until out planned closing time and hoped we were dry the rest of the morning. We soon got a third and fourth Ruby-crowned Kinglet.



We hear House Wrens every morning but they have not been very adventuresome lately. So we gladly welcomed one in the nets today.



We made the right call by staying open. The Bird-of-the-Day was captured down at Net 21 by the lake. Last week we mentioned the previously banded species that has been hanging around in that area. Today we caught an unbanded Orange-crowned Warbler so we have a couple of them there now.



Orange-crowned Warblers are pretty nondescript. When they are seen in the trees they look a dull gray/green. You can hardly ever see the reason they have their name. Like the Kinglets, these warblers have colored feathers in their crown that is easily seen if flared. That is difficult to see unless they are in hand.



As we were finally closing up for the day we captured another bird. A Tufted Titmouse. They woke up late today.



Update: One of the many fun things about Net 21 is that that landscape is constantly undergoing changes after every major rain event through the year. The water has either gouged out the banks or added to it during every event. During the past year the water has begun to claim some trees along the bank and made our once reliable paths a bit more treacherous. One part of the path to Net 21 was easily walked around to get to the end. Now? Not so much. We have been discussing making a shortcut to avoid falling into the river or breaking an ankle if we stepped into an eroding hole.

Problem was that there is one large Willow tree that grows in two different directions. One trunk goes straight up but the other heads due East toward the marsh. As it stood, we could either hold onto the upright stump and swing around to the net spot or climb over the Eastbound trunk. We decided to cut out the horizontal limb. Richard came out Monday to do the deed.



Fortunately, Willow trees are pretty soft and easy to cut through. Richard got through the task in around 15 minutes.



Our new shortcut is now open and we can stop worrying about a risky net check.



Now, we just have to see what the heavy rains this week will do to everything else before next Sunday. It is getting more and more difficult to find ways to keep this area open but it is such a productive spot that we continue to make it work as long as we can. We will surely have another discovery next week. Thanks, Richard!
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 18th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

Slow Start to the New Year

Happy New Year! We had a slow start to the year today and only managed to catch three birds, all recaptures. We were glad to finally see large flocks of Robins soaring overhead but there was not a lot of other migrants to see. We captured all of our bird before 7:30 including a Gray Catbird and a Hermit Thrush.



Our last catch of the day was an adult Carolina Wren.



That left the rest of the morning to exploration as we continued to check the nets. Plants are beginning to get new growth. Even the Poison Ivy is making a fast start in the Winter.



Out by the lake, a pair of Limpkin were foraging in the shallow water.



We don't get a lot of color in the trees around here to the trees across the lake were doing their best.



Behind Net 18 a Little Blue Heron was up early feeding in the marsh.



Day Flowers are making a nice showing along the net lanes.



The Earth Smoke is also busting out near the river's edge.



Becki spotted a Bald Eagle flying over the lake.



She also photographed a Red-bellied Woodpecker up in the trees.



A small bird darted into a wood pile as we walked. After waiting a short time it emerged. It was one of our previously banded Carolina Wrens on the hunt.



Innocence is blooming in the shady areas of the nets. A nice burst of white in the dense ground cover.



The other bird of note was an Orange-crowned Warbler that flew in to a bit of pishing. This bird was banded by us in the past and continues to return to Lake Lotus every Winter.



Before dawn, as Andrew and Charles were setting nets, two American Alligators were seen lurking in the river. Once the sunlight got in the right position one of them came up to bask on the bank.



Maybe next week will be better. At least we got some fresh air and exercise.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 11th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.