Catbirds are Restless

Another chilly start but it is a bit heart warming to have Jenny back in the fold.

We caught 5 Gray Catbirds today and many more were heard around across the property.



Carolina Wrens are also moving about and we caught one new bird and a recapture.



What day could not be complete without a nice vice grip of a Northern Cardinal bite? This recatured female reminded us.



Yet another cold front is moving through. Rain chances are forecast through next Sunday and throughout the next week. Next banding day is scheduled for Valentine's Day. Sleep in and enjoy a soggy Super Bowl

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Gray Catbird	2	3	5
Northern Cardinal	0	1	1
Carolina Wren	1	1	2
Totals	3	5	8

NOTE: To ensure the safety of our volunteers and the general public, new visitors are discouraged from attending banding at this time. The few of us who remain will update the blog as long as we can and hope to see new faces in the future. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 14th.
All nets will be opened by 6:35 A.M.

Typical Mid-January

A chilly start again this week and Andrew forgot his point-and-shoot. Not many good shots since we had to rely on cell phone cameras, but we do what we can.

Good example, trying to get a shot of a banded Gray Catbird just before dawn. At least Susan added some light from her headlamp.



We did recapture 3 Carolina Wren throughout the day.



This Hermit Thrush hit Net 20 and bounced out and headed straight back in to be caught.



The marsh was very noisy for a while with a nice feeding flock. However, we only managed to get this female Ruby-crowned Kinglet during the rush.



Front is moving through. Rain chances are forecast through next Sunday. Think we will take the 24th off and return on the 31st.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Gray Catbird	2	0	2
Hermit Thrush	1	0	1
Carolina Wren	0	3	3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	1	0	1
Totals	4	3	7

NOTE: To ensure the safety of our volunteers and the general public, new visitors are discouraged from attending banding at this time. The few of us who remain will update the blog as long as we can and hope to see new faces in the future. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 31st.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

A Good Chilly Mix

Temperatures dropped to about 36 degrees this morning. At least the wind was'nt kicking in until the end of the morning. Still cold for a Florida Winter. We began our day with a recaptured Gray Catbird.



It was soon followed by a recaptured Northern Cardinal.



Our next recap was a Wintering Hermit Thrush.



Our newest volunteer, Saúl, has been able to begin releasing the processed birds such as our Hermit Thrush.



We also banded two new birds today. The first was a very beautiful Eastern Palm Warbler which was much brighter than the earlier, not pictured, Western Palm that was a recap.



Winding up the day, we got another Orange-crowned Warbler. This time it was a female. Though very drab as it hunts through the foliage, always look for a bit of an eyebrow and that very pointy bill.



Weather will be a bit chilly next Sunday, again, but a little warmer than last Sunday. Bundle up once more!

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Gray Catbird	0	1	1
Northern Cardinal	0	1	1
Hermit Thrush	0	1	1
Western Palm Warbler	0	1	1
Eastern Palm Warbler	1	0	1
Orange-crowned Warbler	1	0	1
Totals	2	4	6

NOTE: To ensure the safety of our volunteers and the general public, new visitors are discouraged from attending banding at this time. The few of us who remain will update the blog as long as we can and hope to see new faces in the future. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 17th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

Well...The Day Was Comfortable.

Clouds were present as we started out and the birds were fairly quiet to start the day. Turns out that they would still be quiet all day.

Our only bird capture today was a recaptuered House Wren first banded a couple of months ago and that was it, Fortunately, our new prospective volunteer, Saúl, got to be there to release it and get indoctronated into the banding world.



Since we are in the 'dry' season, Andrew took time during the lull to carve out a path to the lake for the first time in years. The first time we have been able to get a look at the new pier in front of the Window On the Lake. Missing are the Winter flocks of Forster's Terns at the far end of the lake. Plus, where are the gators?



However, on a following check of the lakeside, flashes of pink drew attenion. A pair of Roseate Spoonbills were feeding along the sandbar now filling the usual fishing area in front of the main pier. A nice unexpected sighting.



Weather will be a bit chilly next Sunday but not as bad as two weeks ago so we plan to head out. Always check back before Sunday. For now, bundle up!

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
House Wren	0	1	1
Totals	0	1	1

NOTE: To ensure the safety of our volunteers and the general public, new visitors are discouraged from attending banding at this time. The few of us who remain will update the blog as long as we can and hope to see new faces in the future. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 10th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

Banding Date Change: January 2nd

Rains are forecast for Sunday this weekend so we are going to band Saturday, instead. Might be a bit windy, but...

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Saturday, January 2ndd.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.