As usual, the most captured species out here are Yellow-rumped Warblers (Myrtle subspecies). Here, Jenny (back in action after having her baby) is holding one for all to see after banding it.
Time to start letting the visitors release our birds.
A female Northern Cardinal hit the nets shortly after the warblers.
Next up was a Gray Catbird.
Another visitor got to release the Gray Catbird.
Another migrant was added to the list. An Ovenbird.
Then one more. A Western Palm Warbler.
The Western Palm Warbler was banded and released.
Then the first surprise of the day, although we were kind of expecting it. Our Yellow-breasted Chat hit the nets in the same area it has before. We have now captured this bird 4 times in 7 years during the festivals. Loves it out here!
The Yellow-breasted Chat was released back into the wetland. Will we get it again in 2 years? Time will tell.
Then the wind picked up and things got quiet. We finally managed to capture an Eastern Phoebe.
Even some volunteers got to release a bird or 2.
Every now and then we get a chance to walk around the Orlando Wetlands property. A little break from staring at blowing nets.
We captured a new House Wren later in the day.
Our next surprise hit at the end of the nets. It was a Painted Bunting. We could also determine its sex as a male because its blue feathers were beginning to come in. Males and females are nearly identical when hatched. The females stay green while the males turn into a rainbow of color.
A happy guest releases the Painted Bunting.
Another visitor releases a Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Our final surprise of the day was an adult female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker! This makes only the 2nd one captured at the Wetlands.
Nelida's son releaed the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Both boys are really starting to stretch out!
You think anyone was interested in this beautiful bird?
Another Gray Catbird gets banded and released.
Our last bird of the festival was another Ovenbird.
As we were leaving for the day we took a group picture at the wetlands photo prop. From left to right, top to bottom: Andrew, Lynn, Susan, Kate, Connie, and Jenny. Kate helped paint the prop years ago. Another successful event.
After relaxing from the festival, we will be back at Lake Lotus next Sunday. Migration is about to start picking up.
Today's Totals
| Birds Processed | New | Recaptured | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| House Wren | 1 | 0 | 1 | Gray Catbird | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Painted Bunting | 1 | 0 | 1 | Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| House Wren | 1 | 0 | 1 | Ovenbird | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Eastern Pheobe | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Western Palm Warbler | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Yellow-rumped (Myrtle Warbler) | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| Yellow-breasted Chat | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 18 | 2 | 20 |
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 2nd.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.
