Fall Officially Starts Now

Fall. Finally. Can you feel it? We can. Last week was a crushing weight under humidity. This morning was much more comfortable and we can hear a new change in bird calls. Is that really a Catbird in September? Yes. A weelk ahead of schedule.

Our first birds in the nets, though, were Wrens. Carolina Wrens have been calling but not moving around much. Today we captured 3.



Next up. a newly arrived House Wren. We will see them from now until Spring before they head home.



An aside: Last week, Ranger Cory said there had been Black Bear sightings in the park again for the first time in a while. When Andrew arrived to get the nets set up he found one of our new coolers pulled out from underneath the table and most of the contents were pulled out and left next to it. Net 20's first pole was also bent to the ground. Somethings bears do just for fun.



Connie brought up a Northern Waterthrush later. This mat be the last we see of them before Spring returns, but glad to have one today.



Common Yellowthroats were here today in fewer numbers than a couple weeks ago. The males took the lead this morning with our first being an adult with his full mask.



Later, a juvenile male Common Yellowthroat arrived showing his first signs of black feathers around the chin.



Speaking of that Gray Catbird mentioned up top, we did catch one to prove that our hearing was correct.



Northern Cardinals came out to play. We captured 4. Two males...



...and two females.



Bird-of-the-Day goes to our Red-eyed Vireo. They have been a little sparce this season but we do hear them nearly every Sunday.



Looking forward to a drier week before next week. Moving toward the peak of migration soon!

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Common Yellowthroat	6	0	6
Northern Waterthush	1	0	1
Northern Cardinal	2	2	4
Red-eyed Vireo	1	0	1
Gray Catbird	1	0	1
Carolina Wren	1	2	3
House Wren	2	0	2
Totals	14	4	18

NOTE: Due to the new CDC recommendations, if you are fully vaccinated you are not required to wear masks, esp. at outdoor events such as ours. Get your shots and come on out. Otherwise, bring a mask. All current members at Lake Lotus are fully Vac'ed.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, October 3rd.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.