Catbirds, and Catbirds

The dawn chorus was pretty strong, but it looks like most migrants are moving through Texas right now. Probably will be our last cool weather for now until next October. Get ready for the heat!

Not going to show photos of every Gray Catbird we caught today. You know what they look like. We captured 13 today. A nice number for the Spring rush home.



Only caught a couple of Northern Cardinals today. Perhaps they are too busy on nests.



Just past Net 21, a large Southern Swamp Lily (Crinum americanum) is in full bloom.



Out next to the lake, Golden Asters are spread all around.



Finally, we captured a pair of Carolina Wrens.



One of our longtime visitors and voluteers, Alex, is off to Virgina for school. Thanks for all your help and we hope to see you again in the future!



We look forward to getting some more migrants before the end of May and next week looks pretty good to start seeing them. In fact, Andrew did see a Prothonotary Warber in the marsh as we were beginning to close up so, fingers crossed.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Northern Cardinal	1	1	2
Carolina Wren	0	2	2
Gray Catbird	7	6	13
Totals	8	9	17

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 20th.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.

Catbirds are Restless and We Wait for Other Migrants

It was a warm but exciting day as we head into Sping Migration. Birds are getting busy, either preparing to leave or preparing for chicks.

Gray Catbirds beginning to feast on local berries as seen by this captured bird covered in stains from fruits. We caught 8 today.



Northern Cardinals are preparing nests and getting active as well. This female is ready to get back to her activities after getting new band.



Jenny likes to take shots in what she calls thier 'Muppet face'. This time from an adult male.



Our second most captures were Carolina Wrens.



Carolina Wrens are showing signs of chicks about to arrive. This one has an egg just to be layed as seen in the belly ready to be dropped.



Tussock Moth caterpillars are active, as well. They are feeding and dropping on nets and tables.



Next, we had a recaptured Brown Thrasher first banded as a juvenile last year.



House Wrens have been very shy this year, but we did get one new one this morning.



As we began to wrap up, Andrew was clearing leaves from Net 21. When he turned around he found a Green Heron trapped in the net behind him. The heron was heard all morning in the marsh and flying back and forth and eventually ended up hitting the net.



This is only the 2nd Green Heron to be captured over the years. We cannot band waders nor waterfowl, so we released it back into the marsh nearby.



Jenny likes to smell the birds we get and says it smells like fish. That is what it eats. Makes sense.



As we closed nets we had one last bird. A female Northern Parula. They usualy have a lot of chicks at the end of April. The adults will be flying more and more in search of food for their hungry chick for the next few weeks.



Looking forward to next Sunday and hoping to see Spring Migrants making the way back North.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Northern Cardinal	3	1	4
House Wren	1	0	1
Gray Catbird	7	1	8
Carolina Wren	1	3	4
Brown Thrasher	0	1	1
Green Heron	1	0	1
Northern Parula	1	0	1
Totals	12	8	20

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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 13th.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.