Storm Blocked But We Got the Bird of the Decade

Here at the peak of Fall Migration we were left fairly empty-handed today. Storms have capped off the top of Florida and caused a majority of bird to shift to the West to continue through Texas and Mexico. Any day in the woods is still a good day and we did get some migrants and a very special bird before the day was over.

American Redstarts are very evident this year. Can't recall seeing this many in the area. However, it was the first species found on property as migration was gearing up. They also typically stay higher in the tree canopy but it seems more are lingering close to the ground and we have concluded that is because more bugs are around over the mud left by the flooding not too long ago.



Our newest volunteer, Jenny, helped set some nets and got to release our first American Redstart of the day.



Next up was a Swainson's Thrush.



We have not been catching a lot of locals but finally a Carolina Wren found a net. Last week they were very good at escaping but we got two today.



Ovenbirds are putting on a good showing this year and we catch one or several everyday now.



Richard & Lewis took some time to carve some of the lower branches still dangling overhead from our big fallen tree.



Halfway along the net lanes we captured a new female Black-throated Blue Warbler.



Another White-eyed Vireo was brought to the table and just like all of the ones captured this month this one was also loaded with stored fat for energy during this migration. Andrew has decided that Net 21 is now too dangerous to maintain so he set a new Net 23 along the marsh. This White-eyed Vireo is the first bird captured there.



At the same time, just down the way, Christine was beaming and announcing that she had gotten the Bird-of-the-Decade. In fact, she was right! We have not banded a Chestnut-sided Warbler in over 10 years and that was at Wekiwa Springs. Records show that 20 were banded there but this non-breeding adult male marks the first ever for Lake Lotus.



Though seen nearly year-round here, it is always a thrill to get a Black-and-White Warbler in hand.



The morning wrapped with yet another American Redstart.



Numbers are usually higher this time of year and we are hoping that tomorrow brings us better results. At least it seems that the rain will not surprise us this weekend.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, October 8th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.