We bagan with low wind and some slightly humid air as a front was pushing in. Winds began to kick up around 9 AM. Mostly cloudy by mid-morning and we wnded up with some interesting captures.
After a large move of Gray Catbirds last week we thought they must be about out of here. But, they are still around and we caught 3 of them. Should be gone in a week or so.
Walking the lanes, there was a little shadow at Net 5. Turned out to be a junenile male Painted Bunting. Wish we had better lighting at dawn, but...
Our newest visitor, Sarah, got to release the Painted Bunting.
Ovenbirds are moving through. We captured 2 new ones and saw others moving through the woods.
We then caught a Mom Cardinal out hunting for food for her chicks. A bit later we caught a male.
Then things got quiet. Real quiet. We walked the lanes for over an hour without any real sound of birds. Eventually, we recaptured the Common Grackle we first banded a couple of weeks ago out by the marsh in the same net back then. Nearing the end of the day, we caught another Grackle not far away.
Blackbirds and Grackels don't usual get captured as they are a bit bigger for the mist nets to haul in. They can usually get out so it is a pleasure to have them in hand.
We also processed a couple of Carolina Wrens and believed the day was over when we caught the Bird-of-the-Day. A Hooded Warbler.
Hooded Warblers are rare in our woods. They usually come North along the Gulf, but when they are here they glow so bright in the low light of the net lanes are alway a joy to discover.
We processed the bird and Alex was releasing the bird. It was a little tired and stayed in his hands for a minute befor flying off at full speed.
Our final bird of the day was a male Common Yellowthroat. More yellow to end the day. Other warblers were heard and seen. Wish we could have got them. Maybe next week before the push finishes up.
Should have another pretty good week heading toward May. Weather looks good for the last migrants.
Today's Totals
| Birds Processed |
New |
Recaptured |
Total |
| Carolina Wren |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Gray-catbird |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| Northern Cardinal |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Ovenbird |
2 |
0 |
2 |
| Common Grackel |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Painted Bunting |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| Common Yellowthroat |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| Hooded Warbler |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| Totals |
11 |
3 |
14 |
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 28th.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.
