Typical End to January

Business as usual at the banding site for this time of the year. Not a whole lot of warblers around and where did all the Hermit Thrushes go to? We usually get at least one every week but none this year. So we began the day with a local: a female Northern Cardinal. We always offer them a twig so they have something to focus on other than our tender fingers.



Several Ruby-crowned Kinglets were banded. All were females which has been the trend for a while.



Western Palm Warbler seem to really like the Bottle brush trees just beyond the property line but we do capture one every now and then.



One of our newest volunteers, Angelo, got to release the now banded Western Palm Warbler.



The Little Wekiva River seemed to look a bit different today. Hurricane Irma really did a number on the landscape.



Earthsmoke, (Fumaria officinalis), always begins to bloom this time of the year and starts its displays by Net 22.



Also nestled around the Earthsmoke is a nice contrasting flowering display of Wild Mustard.



We added a recaptured male Northern Cardinal a little later in the morning.



Up in the woods, Andrew discovered a pile of white feathers of an as yet unidentified snack.



A nice close-up of our final Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the day.



Things wrapped up with our only Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle sub-species) today. There are usually many more around the area but they are keeping to the marsh for the time being. Hoping they will decide to head back to the nets as things begin to warm up.



A steady day but we could use more captures. Perhaps next week. There is, yet again, another front forecast to move in and keep us watching the skies.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 4th.
All nets will be opened by 6:40 A.M.

Back to Business

Chilly but not too chilly. Winds would be increasing later but we were out to catch what we could.

Our first bird was a new female Northern Cardinal. Our usual camera went on the fritz so we had to rely on phone photos today.



It was nice to get a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets now that we didn't have to protect them from the colder temperatures. All females.



Out by the lake, Swamp Sparrows were popping up and calling. They don't seem to want to come up near the trail this season for whatever reason.



The sound of pecking had us quickly turning to find a busy Downy Woodpecker next to the marsh.



Then we finally began catching "butter-butts". First up were Palm Warblers.



Followed soon afterward by the Yellow-rumped Warblers, Myrtle sub-species.



That was it for the morning. We did install a new trail cam along the lanes so we will see if we have it in a good spot. As we were about to leave, Christine peered over the grass to the river and found one of our American Alligators resting on a log.



We haven't seen them up this far in months. Pretty sure the cold temperatures kept them in the lake the last few weeks.



A steady day but we could use more captures. Perhaps next week.

NOTE: Watching the weather for Sunday. Check back here by Saturday night or real early Sunday morning to see if we have to cancel the day.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 28th.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

Chilly, Breezy New Year Start

It has been a long stretch of yucky weather since before the holidays. Despite the temperatures dipping into the high 30s this morning it was at least nice and clear. The wind did pick up as the morning wore on but wasn't too bad.



A strange fact about the cold is that we tend to catch more Ruby-crowned Kinglets as they flit around to find more food. Half the birds we captured today were that species.



We don't often see Ospreys resting over the river as they prefer to be out in the open and next to the lake. This Osprey was preening and watching the rising Sun across from Net 14.



Below in the the river, one of our resident Limpkin was looking for breakfast.



Blue-gray Gnatcatchers teased us throughout the day by chasing insects all around the nets but deftly maneuvered out of range.



Just when it was noticed that we hadn't heard any Gray Catbirds yet, one was brought to the banding table.



As the wind was picking up we managed to capture a Western Palm Warbler.



Loud cries alerted us to anther Osprey up in the pines with a fish snack.



There is almost always a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker around during the Winter month but this one didn't show itself until the Titmouse family began to squawk along the riverside.



The one species we really wanted to start catching today waited until the end of our stay. A Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle subspecies) got his band before we rolled up the nets.



It would have been nice to have a little more warmth but it wasn't too bad. However, another low is suppose to swing in next week and leave it chilly again next Sunday. Could be a repeat of today.
NOTE: We will not be banding January 14th. Forecast is for temperatures in the low 30s with higher winds making it more dangerous for birds if lingering in nets.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 21st.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.