Migrants Beginning To Move

Happy April! This is the time the migrants start getting restless and start feeding and gradually start on their way North. Even though we had to deal with some wind, again, it was an interesting mix of birds today, all of them migrants

The first bird of the day was a recaptured Hermit Thrush.



Eric and Hannah were our new visitors today and they both got to release a bird or two.



We should be catching northbound Gray Catbirds for the rest of the month.



Last week we wondered where the Ovenbirds were and this week we got one.



Our bird of the day was a Swainson's Warbler. Several were banded during our stint at Wekiwa Springs but this is the first we have banded here at Lake Lotus.



Out where Net 21 used to be, Golden Aster is now moving in to reclaim some of the area after Hurricane Irma scoured everything out last Fall.



Checking on the trail cam shows that last week was a busy time for the Raccoons. They were the dominate capture whether at night...



...or during the day.



Opossums were also wandering back and forth.



This area also sees and large gathering of Squirrels from Net 10 down toward the lake.



Our final bird of the morning was a Louisiana Waterthrush. With Net 21 out of play it was feared that we would miss them in the Spring but they are traveling up and down the river this year.



Numbers typically ramp up from here into early May. Only a couple weeks from Earth Day!
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 8th.
All nets will be opened by 6:35 A.M.