A Nice Variety Before the Wind

A good chance that anything could happen today so we set out as usual to get what we could before the wind kicked up as the day broke. Our first bird of the day was an Eastern Screech Owl. It was a recaptured bird that we first banded nearly a year ago. They always look so sleepy when in the hand but it quickly flew off after the data was collected.



As we were discussing how the House Wrens were occasionally being heard but not caught, we did manage to get one.



We did get two Northern Cardinals today. One male was a recaptured (photo not worth the while) and a female that was showing a brood patch.



We are getting near the end of Thrush captures so it was nice to had a Hermit Thrush today.



Despite knowing that it is the start of gator breeding season, Andrew took one more trip out toward the lake since it was a bit cool. The most interesting find was that a flock of Cedar Waxwings were out in the willows picking at all sorts of items.



It was difficult to get some good shots as the wind was picking up but we were lucky to catch a flight shot showing the wax tips on the tail feathers.



Seeing some scat on the make-shift walkway where the lane floods made us wonder as to the animal that left a present. Time to check the trail cam. We know Andrew as he sets nets before dawn...



...but who is this dude showing up the day before walking the trail on a closed property on a Saturday?



An earlier night found the raccoon family parading toward the lake.



Possums was beginning to increase their activity in the middle of the night.



The thought that the scat animal was a Bobcat was later confirmed. Many shots in the daylight and night showed our cat strolling through the area in the next 2 days.



What this is...we are not sure. Shot seems to not be a possum. Too bulky. Thoughts?



We did get a couple more birds before the winds shut us down. Always nice to get a Ruby-crowned Kinglet recapture. We might be getting more as we head toward Spring migration.



Connie had a bird at Net 20. She thought it was possibly a Thrush species. Well, she was close. At least by name. She had returned with a Louisiana Waterthrush (actually a warbler) that make a rare appearance in early August and moving back through in the Spring. A nice end to the day!



Weather forecasts are all over the place. Next Sunday is Easter and April Fools Day. Interesting...
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Easter Sunday, April 1st. No foolin'...
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

A Little Crunched for Time This Week

Hoping to have the full blog for the 18th up asap. Just wanted to make sure everyone knew the next scheduled day is the 25th in case I can't catch up this week.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 25th.
All nets will be opened by 6:55 A.M.

No Banding March 11th

Sorry. Andrew is sick. We will try again on the 18th.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 18th.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.

Another Day Blown Away

We woke to a very chilly morning that felt closer to 30 than 50. Later on the wind would again pour out of the North and grind activity to a halt. Last year at this time was the only time in our banding history at Lake Lotus that we didn't not capture a single bird. At least we broke that record this year.

Our first bird of the morning was a recaptured Carolina Wren.



Next up was a soon to be departing Gray Catbird.



We are all aware that Gray Catbirds have rufus undertail coverts (aren't we?) but we can't say we have seen rufus feather under the wing as shown on this bird.



A recaptured Brown Thrasher made for a squawking photo shoot before being processed and released.



The adult Barred Owl seemed more content on preening this morning but as the sunlight illuminated the opposite side of the river we made a nice discovery of the newest resident of Lake Lotus.



Our final bird of the day was a male Myrtle subspecies of the Yellow-rumped Warbler. He is quickly transitioning into his Spring finery.



This is a nice 'bright' specimen/ Love those crisp black and yellow feathers now showing up through the dull Winter wear.



Many birders overlook the yellow crowns these warbler posses, especially here in the Winter. The females have them, too, just less pronounced.



When you are catching more leaves than birds it is time to head home. At least as the day warmed it was rather nice to be out in the open air.



NOTE: Time to Spring Forward! Clocks move ahead one hour Sunday.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 11th.
All nets will be opened by 7:10 A.M.