Session 16 Begins!

Just in time to start banding, a cool front sagged into Florida bringing us drier air and a beautiful day. The extra rain did raise the river enough to keep us from Net 21, though.

Andrew walked the lanes the week before and found the grasses up to waist high and a tree down blocking Net 7. The rangers were not sure if they could get out there due to Hurricane Idaylia getting close and they had to have sand bag filling duties.



The storm ended up staying to the West along the Tampa and panhande side and the rangers had time to clear the lanes before we began. Thanks to our friends for all of their efforts!



Our other, non-human friends, the Air Potato Beetles, have begun to wake and take care of the invasive vines.



The Air Potato vines are being skeletonized more and more throughout the area.



Can't not mention the first round of getting down the lanes. The early walk is usually spent clearing webs of Tropical Orb Weavers as we get things set up.



We were all glad to be back on the property. Some more than others!



We actually had to wait a awhile before the birds decided to get out of bed. After about an hour we got our first birds: 2 unbanded Carolina Wrens.



Like the bird with Nalida, we captured 6 Common Yellowthroats in a tight group moving past. 5 juvenile males and one female.



Then, the Ovenbirds arrived. We had 3 today. Right on time.



A next surprise was our next bird that usually come through in August, which we have given up due to heat. A Louisiana Waterthrush graced us and got a band today.



Then we captured a female Black-and-White Warbler.



Our last bird of the day was barely resting in Net 18. A male American Redstart. It was full of fat and tired, just arriving from the North.



Andrew was checking nets not long from closing up and found a large wasp in Net 5 with some prey. Turned out to be a Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) with a cicada in its grasp. Most of us gathered to watch it finally free itself and the bug and drag it back to its burrow. Once there, it will lay eggs on the insect and let the offspring feed on it before leaving the nest.



It was a nice day and great return for Session 16. Lets see what the year brings us before Fall officially begins! Looking forward to cooler weather weather not too far away.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Carolina Wren	2	0	2
Louisiana Waterthrush	1	0	1
Common Yellowthroat	5	1	6
Black-and-white Warbler	1	0	1
Ovenbird	3	0	3
American Redstart	1	0	1
Totals	13	1	14

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 10th.
All nets will be opened by 6:40 A.M.

That Was Close

A little more humid today. Lets see what birds we can find after last weeks nice haul.

When Andrew arrived at the table this morning he was met with a lot of tree debris all around. Once that was cleared out of the way he looked to the left. A tree had fallen since we were gone and hit part of the supply table and blocked the path to Net 2. But where did this tree come from?



So, he headed out to set the other nets and...OH...that tree. Guess the rangers will have another chore after they take care of the parks proper.



Hermit Thrushes hit in a small flurry as we started to check the lanes.



Followed by an Ovenbird. We neglected to get a good shot of the House Wrens brought in after that.



We hear Brown Thrashers every week (they breed here) and this is the first new one we have captured in quite a while.



Western Palm Warblers were in force again.



We see a lot of Carolina Wrens but rarely get a chance to stare down that scary throat.



Next up, a female Northern Cardinal.



The day wrapped with a lovely female Black-and-White Warbler.



We currently are expecting Hurricane Nicole. The area does NOT need more water and we will see if more trees fall and how high the river will get this round. Stay safe.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Ovenbird	1	0	1
Carolina Wren	0	1	1
Western Palm Wabler	4	0	4
Brown Thrasher	1	0	1
Hermit Thrush	2	0	2
Black and White Warbler	1	0	1
House Wren	2	0	2
Totals	11	1	12

______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 13th.
All nets will be opened by 6:15 A.M.

Better, but Still Slickery...

We could get down to Net 24 today, but there are still stretches that are, as Andrew calls it, 'slickery'. Mud has not dried out yet so you can still slip a bit in certain places. Net 24 is now a 'beach' full of washed up sand and productive today. Just missed the Kingfisher...

A Flying Squirrel hit Net 15 again this morning. Probably the same individual as last week. They are much more dexterous than birds and just crawl out as soon as you pull the net a bit taught.



Common Yellowthroats started early in the morning letting us think this might be a descent day for captures.



Next was our first Indigo Bunting of the season. This feamle was speeding across the lanes and hit Net 20. A few were heard last week and this week.



Gray Catbirds are starting to flow through again. We caught new and recatured Catbirds today.



Still recapturing juvenile Carolina Wrens. The adults must be staying up in the woods.



We got our first Eastern Phoebe of the season. Apparently, right on time.



Another male Black-throated Blue Warbler was captured for the second week in a row.



A female American Redstart brightened the day.



We ended up with 5 Common Yellowthroats including this adult male.



A great surprise near the marsh was a female Black-and-White Warbler. This species is seen mostly in this area of the Cyress stands headed toward the lake but they usually stay about 20 feet over the nets.



House Wrens are beginning to settle into the property and we banded two new ones today.



A recaptured Ovenbird joined us in Net 2 just beyond the table. This bird was banded as an adult 5 years ago making it at least 6 years old.



Finally, another female American Redstart rounded out our day. Much better than last week. Hope the peak isn't over and we can keep a good streak going for a few weeks.



Still itching to find out how Net 21 is doing. Can't get out there yet, but maybe closer next Sunday. A cold front is dropping through this week and it should bring in more migrants along with it.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Ovenbird	1	0	1
Indigo Bunting	1	0	1
Carolina Wren	0	2	2
House Wren	2	0	2
Black-throated Blue Warbler	1	0	1
Black-and-White Warbler	1	0	1
American Restart	2	0	2
Eastern Phoebe	1	0	1
Common Yellowthroat	3	2	5
Northern Cardinal	0	1	1
Gray Catbird	3	1	4
Totals	15	6	21

______________________________________
NOTE: Due to the new CDC recommendations, if you are fully vaccinated you are not required to wear masks, esp. at outdoor events such as ours. Get your shots and come on out. Otherwise, bring a mask. All current members at Lake Lotus are fully Vac'ed.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, October 23rd.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.

New Bird After a Damp Week

The rains continued most afternoons last week and the water level was even higher this Sunday morning. Last week, the water was just below the bridge. This week the water was flowing over the bridge. At least this structure has withstood the surge more than any of our past pallet bridges. Still can't get to Net 21.



We usually save the Bird-of-the-Day for the end of the post. However, it was the very first bird captured today.

Funny thing is, most of us were at the table recalling how it has been so long since we have heard Nightjars in the area. Then a call comes in asking if certain birds bite or claw. Or first bird of the day was our first ever Chuck-wills-Widow! We have banded a few Whip-poor-wills, but never a Chuck. Until now...



Our next bird was a Northern Waterthrush. Most head through in August (which we are now taking off) so it was nice to have one in September.



We caught several Northern Cardinals throughout the morning. Susan, her daughter, Anna, and sister. Karen, joined us today. At first, Anna was indifferent being there. Then she got to release the Waterthrush. A bit later she was all in and wanted to release one of most 'bitey' birds we get. Brave and fully into it now!



Common Yellowthroats are fewer than normal right now. We did manage a single female. Nalida released this new bird.



Along the way today, Lynn found a number of insect observations. Like this Metallic Sweat Bee. If we could get near the lake, they would be all over the willows right now.



She also found a Mantis missing much of its arms. Odd. Unless this is some type never seen before...



Brazilian Skippers wrap themselves in leaves for cocoons. They are using the planted Cannas for now.



Hiding behind Net 1 near the river, a Redfemured Orb Weaver, Neoscona domiciliorum, sits on a battered web.



A female Black-and-White Warbler was caught near the end of the day in Net 6.



As we wound down and began to close the nets, a White-eyed Vireo flew in. This was a new juvenile.



Migration is well underway. Hoping for many more birds this Sunday and maybe we can get to Net 21 after to some clipping.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Northern Cardinal	4	1	5
Ovenbird	1	0	1
Chuck-wills-widow	1	0	1
Black-and-White Warbler	1	0	1
Common Yellowthroat	1	0	1
Northern Waterthrush	1	0	1
White-eyed Vireo	1	0	1
Totals	10	1	11

______________________________________
NOTE: Due to the new CDC recommendations, if you are fully vaccinated you are not required to wear masks, esp. at outdoor events such as ours. Get your shots and come on out. Otherwise, bring a mask. All current members at Lake Lotus are fully Vac'ed.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 18th.
All nets will be opened by 6:40 A.M.

Ahhhh...No Humidity.

The forecast was for a beautiful morning with winds increasing later into the morning. However, winds were starting up well before dawn. Could this knock down our count today? Actually, no. A nice surprising set of birds before we left.

We started getting birds early and usually we would have a ton of photos. Except, some dum dum forgot his point and shoot on the charger. So, there were no photos of the early birds. We did catch a lot of Common Yellowthoats and House Wrens, but our first photo was a nice Swainson's Thrush.



Other birds were brought in before Connie got a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. We tried to get a photo before we released it (we do not have a permit to band them) but it took off as sson as she opened her hands. Oh, well. Search the sidebar for Hummingbird photos in the past.

We captured a few Catbirds and then had a nice migrant.
A female Black-and-White Warbler.



Kate was returning with a bird and reported a bird in Net 7. She did not want to try to extract it (do it, Kate!) and it turned out to be a Northern Waterthrush.



We got a new Ovenbird just as time was running down for the session. Then we began to take down nets. Reaching Net 14, we found a new male Downy Woodpecker waiting for some new jewlery.



Just down the lane, Connie was closing Net 17 and discovered a new Black-throated Blue Warbler.



Weather is getting drier for a bit. Maybe a little more moisture by next weekend, but it does not look like any kind of a washout. Mayby more Buntings? Stay tuned.

Today's Totals

Birds Processed	New	Recaptured	Total
Common Yellowthroat	5	0	5
Painted Bunting	1	0	1
Northern Waterthrush	1	0	1
Downy Woodpecker	1	0	1
Gray Catbird	3	0	3
Carolina Wren	0	2	2
House Wren	4	1	5
Swainson's Thrush	1	0	1
Ovenbird	1	0	1
Black-throated Blue Warbler	1	0	1
Totals	19	3	22

NOTE: Due to the new CDC recommendations, if you are fully vaccinated you are not required to wear masks, esp. at outdoor events such as ours. Get your shots and come on out. Otherwise, bring a mask. All current members at Lake Lotus are fully Vac'ed.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, October 24th.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.