Earth Day, Part 2

Part two of the weekend as we shifted back to the banding site after the Earth Day demo in the park. Migration is still ramping up even though most of the movements of birds are traveling up Mexico into Texas and beyond, skirting the East Coast for the past couple of years.

Sunday was Easter and a few volunteers found the Easter Bunny down near Net 9.



We captured this Brown Thrasher last week and it is still flying through the same area this week.



One of our local recaptured Carolina Wrens is on a nest somewhere right now and was briefly detained for documenting before getting back to foraging for the next brood.



This is the time for migrating Black-throated Blue Warblers and the males are moving through. A beautiful Wood Warbler we love to see before May.



Even better, the second bird we caught was the Appalachian sub-species that is indicated by darker streaks on the backs of adult males.



Southern Elderberry is blooming like crazy right now. It is even spreading all around the property but that is fine by us as it is a native.



They are very interesting when looking up at them at sunrise.



Olivia's Garden is increasing along the former site. Connie has been brought in many small plantings and added to the landscape. We have marked out the area to let the rangers not to mow through this spot in the future.



Phase 2 is beginning just across the lane where Andrew is clearing the Guinea Grass clumps and more natives are being dropped into place. We hope this area becomes a nice spot for pollinators and more.



For the first time ever, the Ear Tree, (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), is blooming big time. Hummingbirds and other birds stop by these trees, especially during migration.



We have been seeing to many Common Yellowthroats this year. Hope they return in numbers next season.



The rangers cleared out a large overgrown spot by Net 14. It really allowed the remaining Maples to grab some light and burst into new growth.



One of our nosy friends was calling overhead as we closed up. It was a Northern Parula chick. Gathering food a few feet away was an adult male with a band. Most likely the one we banded a few yards away on the other side of the river yesterday.



Next week could yield more migrants before the end of Spring approaches.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 28st.
All nets will be opened by 6:25 A.M.