Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Orlando Wetlands Festival, 2025

2 years later and we are back at the Orlando Wetlands Festival. Weather was foecast to be very overcast with low winds. NOT! The early morning was fine, and yeilded some nice captures, but just around 9:30 the winds cranked up and we had mixed clouds all day. However, we did have a nice mix of species today and a welcomed a return visitor and some other nice surprises.

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.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Myrtle Warbler

Time to start letting the visitors release our birds.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Myrtle Warbler

A female Northern Cardinal hit the nets shortly after the warblers.

Northern Cardinal

Next up was a Gray Catbird.

Gray Catbird

Another visitor got to release the Gray Catbird.

Gray Catbird

Another migrant was added to the list. An Ovenbird.

Ovenbird

Then one more. A Western Palm Warbler.

Western Palm Warbler

The Western Palm Warbler was banded and released.

Western Palm Warbler

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!

Yellow-breasted Chat

The Yellow-breasted Chat was released back into the wetland. Will we get it again in 2 years? Time will tell.

Yellow-breasted Chat

Then the wind picked up and things got quiet. We finally managed to capture an Eastern Phoebe.

Eastern Phoebe

Even some volunteers got to release a bird or 2.

Eastern Phoebe

Every now and then we get a chance to walk around the Orlando Wetlands property. A little break from staring at blowing nets.

Wetlands

We captured a new House Wren later in the day.

House Wren

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.

Painted Bunting

A happy guest releases the Painted Bunting.

Painted Bunting

Another visitor releases a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Myrtle Warbler

Our final surprise of the day was an adult female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker! This makes only the 2nd one captured at the Wetlands.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Nelida's son releaed the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Both boys are really starting to stretch out!

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

You think anyone was interested in this beautiful bird?

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Another Gray Catbird gets banded and released.

Gray Catbird

Our last bird of the festival was another Ovenbird.

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.

Group

After relaxing from the festival, we will be back at Lake Lotus next Sunday. Migration is about to start picking up.

Instagram


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

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 2nd.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

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