Fast Start, Fast Stop.

We were hearing birds calling even before dawn so there were high hopes that today would be better than last week. However, our hopes were dashed. Started strong but got quiet real quickly.

Just after dawn, Andrew made his way down the lanes and spotted a male Northern Cardinal in Net 10. As he approached the net, a shadow came rushing out of the woods across the river. A Barred Owl was honed in on the bird. A quick shout of "Hey!" and the owl veered off and back into the trees just at the end of the net.

It was flushed deeper into the woods and then the remaining nets were checked. On the way back, there was a large shape in the net where the Cardinal had been. It was the owl. It was taken out and sent on its way back across the river. Dopey bird...



The Northern Cardinal was brought to the table, banded, and sent on its way.



Then a recaptured Brown Thrasher was brought in. It was first banded as a juvenile nearly 2 years earlier.



Next up, a Hermit Thrush.



And that was it. All we could do then was some bird watching. The Limpkin pair has been all the way up the river and today they in the river and then in the trees.



The Myrtle Yellow-rumps are showing up. Finally. They were more content to feed in the Tallow branches today, though.



Anhinga were present in large numbers all along the edge of the lake and across from the old Net 21 site.



Up in the forest, Andrew was visiting Oscar. He absentmindedly removed a random piece of bark from a pine tree and was surprised to see a large Cuban Treefrog. Weird.



Before we wrapped up for the day, the ladies were busy watching the Pileated Woodpecker pair as they flew in and dug holes in the pines behind Net 13.



Next week has to be more productive. Right?
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 3rd.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Way Too Quiet

Today was almost completely quiet. Little bird calls, few flyovers, and very few birds in the nets. At least it wasn't raining...

The first bird of the morning was a Carolina Wren caught in Net 8 before it was fully open. One of our recaptures.



A Hermit Thrush was next. Yet another recapture. Then things got even quieter than we thought possible. Time to wander.



Now that the water levels are subsiding, Andrew picked his way through the new obstacles leading to the edge of Lake Lotus. Success! However, there are muddy areas that ssow clear signs of alligator lounging all around. No actual gators were in sight today, though.



Our final bird of the morning was a new House Wren.



Here is hoping that next week will be more fruitful after we get past Thanksgiving. Still waiting for Yellow-rumps to make a noticeable return but a few have been seen in the nearby neighborhoods.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 26th.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Rainy and Windy

Dodging raindrops. Again. Winds were in play, also, pretty early and our catches were low. The only solace was the return of flocks of American Robins drifting over throughout the morning.

Our first bird was a Hermit Thrush but the photo was too embarrassing to share. The following birds were House Wrens



We recaptured one of our resident Brown Thrashers a bit later.



Another recapture was brought in later. An adult male Ruby-crowned Kinglet we first banded nearly two years ago.



Our final bird of the day was a juvenile Eastern Phoebe and then things grew quiet except for the nearby sound of an Indigo Bunting.



Our visitors today found a new bird in the river for us. Three female Hooded Mergansers were paddling in the Little Wekiva but soon disappeared. Andrew found a male back were he usually sees them during the season so they are back. Perhaps the weather will begin to clear by next week. That would be nice.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 19th.
All nets will be opened by 6:20 A.M.

Insert Foghorn Sound Here...

One of those days. Start with a meeting with a Sheriff's Deputy, talking to a Bobcat, and getting things ready in the heaviest fog probably ever in memory.

This shot was of the fog near 8:30 AM out by the lake. It did not clear until late in the morning and kept all bird activity at a bare minimum.



Just after Sunrise, Connie walked back to say there was an Eastern Screech Owl in Net 5. Typically, they are very docile, but this youngster was ready to rumble and tried to bite and scratch all the way through the data process. It flew off quickly soon after this shot.



We heard a few Gray Catbirds today but only caught one and got a blurry photo after the banding. Another juvenile moving through.



This shot was actually taken last week but we share it now as we checked on what might be around Net 21 since we moved that net and the water is dropping a bit. There are many footprints out there in the mud including Coyote and this large American Alligator print next to a tail print from when it moved back into the river.



Phyllis called to report a captured Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They have been around a few weeks and it is nice to have a male join us today.



Just when we mentioned that we weren't hearing or seeing Ovenbirds, one flew in.



Even better, as we got ready to head home, we caught a new juvenile Eastern Phoebe to round out the day.



Only one Indigo Bunting was heard today but it should be time to start catching them soon. Maybe the weather will hold out and bring us some of the later migrants along the way.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 12th.
All nets will be opened by 6:15 A.M.