Net 21 Gone Again. Still Plenty of Fun

We were greeted by thickening fog and pleasent temperatures. Seems like we get at least one really foggy morning during the Fall. There were also a few rounds of rain the past couple of days. Since the water is still receding from Ian, that is all it took to cut us off from Net 21 again.

Starting off, we caught a House wren and then we were pleasently surprised by our first Wood Thrush in six years. Back then it was also a very foggy day.



That was soon followed by our first Ovenbird of the day.



A bit later we got a nice male Black-throated Blue Warbler.



The Western Palm Warblers finally started hitting the nets even though they have been in the Central Florida area for weeks. Flood gates have opened and we ended up with six by the time we wrapped up.



Got our second Ovenbird next.



There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing the joy on a childs face as they release a newly banded bird.



We got a recaptured Carolina Wren and Jenny got a close up with those impressive talons.



Giant Swallowtail pupa were found in a nearby tree getting ready to change.



We can't get to Net 21, but the Great Egret can as it forages along the flooded river.



Just under the water, a Water Beetle settles in between feedings.



At Net 19, a sneaky Anole peeks out of the top of the pole. Pete?



A smaller thrush was captured in that same net a bit later. Turned out to be our first Hermit Thrush of Fall.



Another House Wren was brought in.



Then the feeding flock of 5 Western Palm Warblers hit the nets at the same time.



Surprisingly, it has been two years since we have captured a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They are heard every year but somehow they evaded us during the pandemic.



We closed out the day with a final House Wren and we took a closer look at their interested feathers around the eye.



Now we move into November and hope the water drops some more and we can have all of the nets open.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Ovenbird	2	1	3
Carolina Wren	0	1	1
Western Palm Wabler	6	0	6
Wood Thrush	1	0	1
Hermit Thrush	1	0	1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	1	0	1
Black-throated Blue Warbler	1	0	1
House Wren	3	0	3
Totals	15	2	17

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NOTE: Next Sunday is time to Fall BACK! Plan accordingly.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 6th.
All nets will be opened by 6:10 A.M.

Migrants Begin To Show

We arrived to a very humid morning after heavy rains the night before and our shoes were soaked by 6 AM. Bleh. Sunrise was pretty.



The morning was further brightened when Maria set Net 4 and almost instantly had an Eastern Screech Owl fly in.



Maria put the owl on a stump behind the banding table and it just wanted to recline in the leaves. Andrew eventually walked over and set the owl upright and it flew off into the woods.



During our first trip down the net lanes, Christine got a Louisiana Waterthrush in Net 14. Our first official migrant of Session 9.



We also came back with a pair of Northern Cardinals. This female was first banded a year and a half ago and the male we captured was a new bird for us.



Richard found our 2nd migrant of the morning and this Ovenbird was expected this time of year.



As the morning wore on, Andrew searched for more migrants and signs of Air Potato Beetles.



Look. Lynn's Nature Corner is back! Lynn joined us and got a lot of shots of the flora and fauna like one of the many dragonflies in the area.



Lynn is always good at finding hidden gems such as this cocoon clinging to the back of a leaf.



Need some cuteness? How about a baby Anole?



Maria added to the gallery with a close-up of some Golden Oxeye.



All the moisture in the area brings many mushrooms out into the open.



Air Potato Beetles are increasing in number up and down the lanes. A very welcome sight.



When we did our clan up a few weeks ago we only found them in one section between Nets 22 and 16. Now, all of the Air Potato leaves are chewed to bits. Well done, beetles!



Air Potato Beetle larva were even found on an Air Potato. The first time we have seen that.



We ended the day with a couple of recaptured Carolina Wrens and one more Louisiana Waterthrush at Net 18. Probably the one we could only get a photo of two weeks ago.



Some other migrants were seen in the area. Black and White Warbler and a female Yellow Warbler were recorded and an American Redstart was found outside the park recently. We can feel Fall on the way...
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, August 21st.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.