Migrants in the House

The end of August usually brings in our first real migrants so we strode into the woods with high hopes. Humidity ramped up by 7 and we first caught a pair of Carolina Wrens. One was a new juvenile and the other was recaptured juvenile.



Most of the day was fairly quiet so the crew took a bit of time to add to Olivia's Garden. As we headed down there, we were shocked to find that some Garden Fairies have been around since last week!. Dozens of new plantings are all over the place from the garden to Net 18. Hmmmm... We are thankful to our mysterious benefactors.



Noticed along the lanes was an emerging Cicada next to Net 1. We hear them more and more with the high temperatures and humidity but this was the first photo of one this season.



Back in Olivia's Garden, Sector 2, we discovered a juvenile Assassin Bug laying in wait for a meal.



Migrants were starting to be heard as the morning progressed. Loud chipping led Andrew to a Northern Waterthrush at Net 18 but it would not fly toward the nets. Fortunately, he soon found a Worm-eating Warbler in Net 17.



Our newest volunteer, Shannen, got to release the Worm-eating Warbler after processing. Migration is definitely in progress.



As we began to close up for the morning, Andrew spotted that a bird was in Net 22 as he approached. Oddly, a Northern Cardinal flew over and hovered over the bird before retreating to the trees. The new capture was a Red-eyed Vireo. They have been heard all over for weeks but they rarely drop low enough to hit the nets.



The crowd gathered around to marvel at the bright red eyes of one of our local breeding birds.



Our other new visitor, Corey, got to release the adult Red-Eyed Vireo.



Down at Net 17, the crew found an Ovenbird as we wrapped the morning. They were being heard earlier and the directive was given to get one before the day was out. Mission complete!



More migrants should be on the way into September. You never know where the patterns will lead us.

NOTE: Hurricane Dorian is lurking out there. Final path is not set as of this posting, but we will update if we are heading out on Sunday or not by Saturday. He will either shift right or plow through the banding site. Fingers are crossed for it to miss us.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 1st.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.