Quiet. Hopefully, Before the Storm.

We were hoping for migration to arrive today but no such luck. Turned out to be a very quiet day after a noisy danw chorus. But, we did have a nice surprise at the end of the morning.

An early Common Yellowthroat gave us some hope that the day might be good.



Followed by a recaptured Gray Catbird first baded a couple weeks ago. Then we spent most of the morning walking the lanes in bordom.



Andrew decided to throw in the towel 30 minutes early. As nets were beginning to be put away, a bird was being walked back to the table. It turned out to be a Common Grackle! We have banded some at the Orlando Wetlands Festival but this is the first here at Lake Lotus.



This Common Grackle is probably a female based on the very obvious brood patch.



Hopefully, things start to pick up next week.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Common Yellowthroat	1	0	1
Gray-catbird	0	1	1
Common Grackle	1	0	1
Totals	2	1	3

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 7th.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.

A Familiar Face Before the Wind

Two weeks in a row? Weather is beginning to be a little more cooperative. But, it didn't last too long for today.

First bird of themorning was a new Gray Catbird.



Then we got a nice migrant. A Northern Waterthrush. Better yet, it was a recapture. We had to dig through our data and were pleasently surprised to find we banded this bird as an adult almost excatly 6 year years ago! In the same area it was first captured. Thats site fidelity for ya.



Alex got to release our Northern Waterthrush.



Next up was a new Carolina Wren. Very sharp claws on this little bird.



We caught a recaptured female Northern Cardinal banded not too long ago. Seems she has chipped her bill up somehow since we saw her last.



Our final bird of the morning was an adult male Northern Parula.



The winds were steadily increasing all morning and we threw in the towel a half hour earlier than normal. Nets were way to visible and winds also send the insects into the woods and away from the net lanes so the birds don't move through them as much. Next Sunday looks to be a very nice day.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Northern Cardinal	0	1	1
Northern Waterthrush	0	1	1
Carolina Wren	1	0	1
Gray-catbird	1	0	1
Northern Parula	1	0	1
Totals	3	2	5

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 31st.
All nets will be opened by 7:15 A.M.

Heading Into Migration

Nice to be back out after so many rainy Sundays. Dawn chorus was very loud but not too many birds were flying. Everything seems to be looking like breeding is on.

Connie called that she had a bird in Net 14 and thought it might be a Swamp Sparrow. Indeed it was! Usually they are lurking down by the lake's edge but this one ventured up the river.



Jenny always thinks that her bird photos make them look like Muppets. Because she makes them stare into the camera that way.



Our new volunteer, Alex, got to release our first bird of the day.



Soon afterwards we had a House Wren.



Northern Cardinals very loud right now as they set up house. We captured a male and later a female with a begining brood patch. Babies are on the way.



Gray Catbirds are heading out next month but we did hear them and got two today.



Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are also getting louder and busier. We usually don't catch them until they get distracted by chasing one another around. Today we got a nice adult male.



You can easily tell the adult males by that bold eyebrow. He was a great looking guy.



Caterpillars are dropping out of the trees. Food for all the migrating birds, but sometimes they fall on us banders. Like this Eastern Tent Caterpillar.



Time to head out and see if our luck holds out so that we can band again next Sunday. Should be a nice day and we look forward to arriving migrants.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Northern Cardinal	1	1	2
Swamp Sparrow	1	0	1
House Wren	1	0	1
Ovenbird	1	0	1
Gray-catbird	2	0	2
Blue-grey Gantcatcher	1	0	1
Totals	7	1	8

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 24th.
All nets will be opened by 7:10 A.M.

No Banding March 10th

Rain still forecast for the AM when we set up. Not going to chance it. Maybe we can get some fun birds for St. Patrick's Day.

BUT, remember to Spring Forward.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 17th.
All nets will be opened by 7:15 A.M.

No Banding March 3rd

More rain predicted all Sunday. Sleep in and hope for next week.

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 10th.
All nets will be opened by 7:30 A.M.