Typical February with Visitors

When we arrive in the mornings we always wonder what we are going to find. This morning we discovered a large chunk of oak tree had fallen and missed the pole for Net 7 by less than an inch. We were still able to set the net and the rangers will have a little chore next week.



Spring has sprung a little early. At least thats what the Northern Parulas are telling us. They are back on their breeding grounds (here) in good numbers. But they stayed high in the trees today. Must trees are in bloom and attracting the most insects.

Lower to the ground was our first Northern Cardinal, a female.



Then our first House Wren in quite a while.



Eastern Tent Caterpillars are popping up in several spots along the net lanes.



Jenny came back from Net 21 with a recaptured Yellow-rumped Warbler. It was first banded 12/22 as a juvenile and is now molting into its breeding plumage.



The UCF Knighthawks joined us today to observe banding and do a little bird watching.



Next up, a male Northern Cardinal.



Another sign of Spring: Lobilia are begining to bloom all over.



Our final bird of the day was a Western Palm Warbler molting into his rusty crown.



It was a typical late February but things should pick up soon for Spring Migration.

Be sure to check back to the blog by Saturday to make sure we are banding. Rains are forecast from Saturday through next Friday.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Northern Cardinal	2	0	2
House Wren	1	0	1
Western Palm Warbler	1	0	1
Yellow-rumped Warbler	0	1	1
Totals	4	1	5

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 3rd.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.