Foggy Sunday

The first of a projected series of cold fronts is creeping down and a little rain is sweeping through. Radar shows birds moving, but they are most likely ducks instead of warblers. Will still set in for a day as the morning was brought with fog. It got thicker and thicker before dawn becoming a misty air in the dark.

This shot ws taken later but still shows he extent of the fog out near the lake lingering approaching 9 AM.



Our first bird in the morning was a recaptured House Wren. A second was not far behind with a Catbird, told below.



Hermit Thrushes typically arrive so much earlier, so it was nice to get our first ones today. This one was a juvenile.



Our one Gray Catbird flew in early and was next to our second House Wren in Net 9. Most of our birds were captured before 7:30 today.



Yet another new Northern Cardinal male was captured. Cardinals do not really migrate, so where is this guy coming from? Somewhere nearby, for sure.



A second Hermit Thrush was waiting at the table when we brought the other back. This one was an adult bird.



Another of our juvenile Carolina Wrens hit the nets. Kids still not learning.



As we waited for a hopeful next feeding wave, we looked around the property and were surprised to find several species of fungi all over the place. It has been a very wet couple of years and now it is very dry. The fungus has decided to thrive on the snags and undergrowth. We took time to take photos of all of the varieties along the way, starting with the big growth in the net lanes.



But, 'skeeeeeetch!" Where did this Purple Aster come from? It is now blooming just behind Net 9.



Up in the pine flat wood region of the property we found many different fungus. This patch was circling a trunk of a small snag.



Another trunk was circled from top to bottom.



On that same tree, a small branch was growing out and also being ringed by fungus.



Most were brown and tan were punctuated by a bit of yellow deep in the woods.



Behind Net 15, a bit of shelf fungus was seen by the oak felled by Hurricane Matthew.



One of the fun things about the fog is that is shows off all of the Bowl-and-Doily Spiderwebs all up and down the lanes.



Jenny spotted a turtle at that same spot when the rest of us missed it. It seems rather beat up but she says it shows some sign of Life. We shall see in the week to come.



In the wooded area near Nets 16-17, there is now a White Aster putting on a show.



Back at Net 15, signs of Tent Caterpillars are spinning homes in the holly.



Near the table, Andrew spotted a few other fungus features. This one was another ringing a small branch.



A step to the side revealed a more yellow growth in the shade.



As we wrapped up the day and headed back to the table after net gathering, Kate noticed a flash of orange off to the left along the path we have walked all day. There is a huge fungus growth there 5 yards off to the left.



Just behind the orange bloom was a set of white mushrooms sharing the same tree.



Net 3 was alos hiding a nice colony of caps.



Our final bird of the day was one we were wondering about. Where were the Ovenbirds? Quiet but still here.



One the way home, Andrew found some of the birds at Maitland Center. We are now up to 4 Hooded Mergansers in the parking lot pond.



Also feeding along the pond's edge was a Little-blue Heron...



...and several White Ibis.



We will dip into the 30s this week but should be back into the 80s by next Sunday. Maybe we can get some new migrants in the area with this new cold front? Fingers crossed...
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 2nd.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Hmmm...

A cold front arrived a couple of days ago and radar showed huge numbers of birds flowing South. Of course, many of them could be waterfowl, Robins, or any other number of species we do not get to band. Still, the hopes were up for some good banding on a very nice, temperate day in the woods. Was not to be. It was boring.

One of our well known teen Carolina Wrens was recaptured. Again. An hour and a half later it was captured...again. They just don't seem to learn.



Just when Andrew was about to give up completely, he saw a shadow in Net 13. It turned out to be an unbanded Brown Thrasher.



Augustine managed to bring all of the kids out today. Nikki got to release the Carolina Wren earlier and Andy got to release the Brown Thrasher.



Where are our birds? This year is totally slow. Hooded Mergansers are back at Maitland Center...a pair, at least...if anyone is interested.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Hoping that next week is more interesting.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 25th.
All nets will be opened by 6:25 A.M.

Why is it Still Hot in November?

This hot is November? High today ended up being 85 degrees. At least there was no rain. However, there were fewer migrants around, just like most of this Fall. American Robins were heard right on time flying over and we heard a new sound that was Black-bellied Whistling Ducks heading to a daytime stop nearby. We did find some early arrivals, like Yellow-rumps, but not many more.

First bird of the morning was one of our juvenile Carolina Wren, making a return appearance. We will have to do a total of how many times we have recaptured these kids this year. Seems crazy.



Next up, a female young Northern Cardinal.



Gray Catbirds always call at dawn, but we don't seem to catch them until a little later in the day.



Another juvenile female Northern Cardinal soon followed.



House Wrens are heard calling up and down the river. Fortunately, sometimes they fly out into the nets.



Heading toward the marsh in search of birds in the trees, growing greens are found on decaying stumps.



One of the only birds searching through the underbrush were several Western Palm Warblers. They usually stay out by the marsh and we usually get a couple of them to venture up the trail during the Winter.



Simpkin were heard calling before dawn. A couple of hours later the adults were found probing around the neighbors property.



Suddenly, a juvenile Limpkin wandered out from the marsh to call out to the adults. Oddly, we usually see young Limpkins around Earth Day. Guess they had a second brood this year.



One more Gray Catbird for the morning.



Olivia's Garden is blooming well and being visited by pollinators like this Skipper. More plants to follow in this spot in the future.



Still very slow this year. Where did the Swainson's Thrushes go this year? Not a single one this season. We will seen what next week brings. Cold front is on the way. Finally.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 18th.
All nets will be opened by 6:20 A.M.

Rained Out

Rain was in the forecast, but it said it would be closer to the afternoon. Nope. Wrong again. We did make it to just after 9 AM. Pre-dawn set up had us thinking the low cloud deck might have gotten us more birds as they were heard calling overhead in the dark. Just after sunrise, most of the birds had moved on. We did manage a few, though.

First up was a new House Wren.



We keep recapturing our juvenile Carolina Wren banded earlier in the year. Their parents have learned better than these teenagers.



Another House Wren joined the party a short time later.



We captured a pretty young White-eyed Vireo. The gape was very visible in hand. Started migrating not too long out of the nest.



Look, yet another of those teenager Carolina Wrens!



As the sprinkles began to increase, we ended the day with another young White-eyed Vireo.



We headed out just in case the rains really hit. We could have stayed as it turned out that the clouds shifted East. But you never know and it is better to be safe than sorry for the good of the birds. There is always next week.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 11th.
All nets will be opened by 6:15 A.M.