Sunday, October 23, 2022

Water Finally Receded. Reached Net 21 Again.

We not sure if we could get to the end of the lans this morning and the dark didn't give us many clues, Jenny decided to brave it, anyway, and we got out to Net 21 for the first time since Ian.

The rest of the morning gave us some nice birds and interesting observations. Our first bird of the day was a Carolina Wren. We had two recaptures of them today.

Carolina Wren

Northern Cardinals are ever present and we got another new male early on.

Northern Cardinal

Eastern Phoebes are still very vocal and difficult capture. We did mangage to band one today.

Eastern Phoebe

Common Yellowthroats are spilling through right now. You can hear them along the river and we caught one, an adult female,...

Common Yellowthroat

...and two, an adult male,...

Common Yellowthroat

...and three, another female. They should be here through the year and beyond.

Common Yellowthroat

Gray Catbirds are being a bit elusive for the past couple of years for some reason. We did get two this morning.

Gray Catbird

Our next thrush of the day was a Swainson's Thrush.

Swainson's Thrush

Our second Northern Cardinal was a female.

Northern Cardinal

Western Palm Warblers have been seen all over the area for a few weeks. It took us this long to get our first one.

Western Palm Warbler

Most of us look out for other interesting things around the property while checking nets. Lynn finds all kinds of sightings, like this Giant Swallowtail caterpiler waiting to transfer into a flying miracle.

Skipper

Connie planted a Cassia a couple of years ago and it was doing well. We were concerened it would not fare well during Ian. The storm wiped out all of the Guinea Grass surrounding the plant but the Cassia held firm and is now 12 feet plus and blooming well.

Cassia

Spiders do very well throughout the property and we walk through webs every morning. Some stay off to the side of the trail like this Triangle Orb Weaver (Verrucosa arenata). A beautiful spider.

Triangle Orb Weaver

Green Tree Frogs are welcome site as Cuban Tree Frogs have been taking over a lot of territory of late.

Green Tree Frog

Continuing the Ovenbird recapture streak, we recaptured another new bird that is now at least 6 years old. Nice to be getting all of these returning birds to the site.

Ovenbird

An American Redstart was brought in. After a close inpection we could determine that this is a juvenile male. Note the black splotches on the neck and the brighter orange in the 'wingpits'. Females have a more uniform gray in those areas.

American Redstart

We were trying to go home but then we had a spate of Western Palm Warblers show up to keep us busy.

Western Palm Warbler

Western Palm Warblers are flowing in all across the Central Florida area and we are glad they are back. Next we wait for the Yellow-rumps in a month or so.

Western Palm Warbler

Should be getting some rains in the area again over the week and hope it is not too heavy to block us from Net 21 so we can find some new species along the way.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed New Recaptured Total
Ovenbird 0 2 2
Carolina Wren 0 2 2
Western Palm Wabler 6 0 6
Swainson's Thrush 1 0 1
American Restart 1 0 1
Eastern Phoebe 1 0 1
Common Yellowthroat 3 0 3
Northern Cardinal 1 2 3
Gray Catbird 2 0 2
Totals 15 6 21

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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 30th.
All nets will be opened by 7:05 A.M.

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