Quiet. Real Quiet...

Well, at least it was not a sauna this week. However, it was very slow, as are most mid-August outings. The day was mostly overcast and extremely quiet. Very few birds were seen or heard throughout the morning, including locals, other than Cardinals and Titmice.

Speaking of Cardinals, our only bird captured and banded today was a male captured in the newly reinstated Net 6. Many males in the area are showing signs of extensive molt around the head which has been associated with mites. The birds shed all of their head feathers to rid themselves of the pests and then grow out a nice crest again in short order.



Just previous to the Cardinal, Christine found a Leopard Frog in the nets. This happens once every couple of years. It was released easily and safely.



On our rounds, the crew spotted a blob up in the Cypress trees. Closer inspection revealed it to be a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk! These birds show up very rarely and Andrew found one not far away 10 years ago.



Skippers have been enjoying the new Porterweed in the garden. We are still looking to ID this species, but they all seem to be the same variety.



While we were wrapping up the day, sharp eyes found a caterpillar on some Beautyberry leaves. It was a Sphinx Moth caterpillar and we are not sure that we have seen a more nightmarish set of chompers!



Records show that the most consistent migrant arrivals arrive next week. Low pressure systems are forming East and West but we are hoping for the North to be clear enough to allow birds to flow this direction.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, August 25th.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.