Migrants and Locals in the Chill

A chilly start to the day and we are getting used to the new reflector poles a bit. Not a lot of captures but we are getting our trainees some more practice Along the way. First up was a Gray Catbird.



Shannen got to process our one Northern Cardinal of the morning. A female.



Not was happening along the lanes for quite awhile but Andrew found a lot of interesting birds closer to the lake were we used to be able to have Net 21. Floods have eroded the banks too much to be out there anymore and even typical birdwatching is a bit sketchy. A shame because a wide variety of species are still out there, including our few Myrtle Warblers (Yellow-rumps) this year...



...Orange-crowned Warblers, who love the blooming Willows...



...along with a Prairie Warbler feeding next to it.



Swamp Sparrows still haunt the vegetation near the lake like this one that popped up during the watch. Listen closely and you can hear them all across the shoreline.



The biggest surprise was what brought Andrew back down to Area 21. A bird flew out right next to him on his first trip down and it looked familiar but oddly out of place. On the second search it was confirmed. A female Rose-breasted Grosbeak!

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are typically seen in a confined timeframe. During the Fall on their way South, and a couple of days in April on their return North. What is she doing here in February? We may never know as she would not stop hiding behind the branches for the rest of the viewing. Plus, they don't give up secrets easily.



On the trip back up the lanes, a Limpkin was prying out breakfast by the Cypress knees.



Another Gray Catbird gave Angela a chance to get back into the banding chair.



A but later, a Carolina Wren offered the same opportunity.



As we wrapped up the day, Christine noticed an American Alligator that we call Pat sunning on the river bank below the table. Male? Female? Don't know. Pat.



Next weekend we head to the Orlando Wetlands Festival where the city of Orlando staff ask us to do demonstration at each event. Winds are predicted to be high so who knows what we will find or capture. There have been reports of a Yellow-breasted Chat in the area where we captured and banded one last year. Same one? Stay tuned.
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Next (planned) Banding Day at the Orlando Wetlands: Saturday, February 15th.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.