Wind, Wet, Wildlife

We arrived dark and early, as usual, and found a bit more moisture still around and wind was in the forecast by 10 AM. Still, we managed a few good finds throughout the morning.

Two Northern Cardinals were captured just before dawn. The first was a recapture that we first banded 3 1/2 years ago on the opposite side of the river on Earth Day. Still going strong.



A couple of new juvenile Gray Catbirds were netted, as well.



We now hear more House Wrens than we are catching but we will take what we can get.



The extra moisture did one fun thing as the Sun rose higher. It settled in all of the Bowl and Doily Spider web and gave them a nice glow.



Once the light was up a bit more we could tell the wind was not too far behind as large clouds quickly scuttled past.



Dotted Smartweed is popping up in camps as we near the mouth of the river.



Double-crested Cormorants are seen out on the lake or flying in from time to time but they are seldom seen resting on the sand bar.



Leaves were still cloaked in water even as the wind began to pick up.



You could hardly tell the breeze was increasing as we took a look at the Window on the Lake where the water was calm for a little longer.



A funny thing happens when you stand very still by the lake. Birds begin to fly in right next to you. This Little Blue Heron landed just a few feet from Andrew.



While he was studying the bird he noticed something in one of the nearby branches. A Ladybug!



A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher also flew in while feeding through the Willow branches. It got so close it could even be photographed in focus before flying off.



Lynn spotted a Limpkin perched in one Willlow over Net 21. The pair were chasing each other all over the priority all morning.



Christine found what we are deciding is a Three-spotted Skipper, also by Net 21. Skippers are increasing in number up and down the river side.



An Argiope stayed on patrol in the surrounding vegetation...



...while a Caterpillar searched around a twig.



This bug looks a lot like a Box Elder bug but we have never seen one this bright red. Maybe a related species we have located yet?



Back an the table, we captured a new Hermit Thrush.



Lynn got a better shot of the tan edging on the feather indicating it is a young bird.



We also caught our 2nd Eastern Palm Warbler of the season. Still waiting on the Yellow-rumps.



Finally, a recaptured Carolina Wren was processed and released just before we ended the day.



A nice collection of finds all around today. Next week is forecast to be much cooler and a lot of us will be volunteering with various Christmas Bird Counts across the state. Happy birding to all!
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 20th.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

Quiet But Fun

Well, another slow day added to an already overall slow season. Just doesn't seem to be as many birds around this year. Even off-site we aren't seeing big numbers of...anything. Data is data, though.

Even before the light was up we could see that the dock, which was tumbled during the last flood, had been been righted as of last week. Now they just have to get some post holes made to secure it again.



As we were setting nets it crossed our minds that we have yet to catch a Ruby-crowned Kinglet this season. Right on cue, we got our first. An adult female, which lacks the ruby crown.



Checking on Net 21 just after sunrise, Andrew heard an Eastern Phoebe passing close by, calling along the way. If not for that sound he wouldn't have looked to the left to find a Great Blue Heron standing atop a branch just across the river.



40 yards to the right, an American Goldfinch swooped in to survey the surroundings. Will this be the year we finally catch one?



Two months ago the September flooding gave us a treat by depositing a lot of sediment to give us a new beach along the area for Net 21. It was a welcome sight and made for easier potential bird extractions by the riverside.



This latest flood had the opposite effect. Large sections of the river bank have been washed away. Now we have to consider a way to shore up the lane or move out of a very productive net placement.



While we ponder that situation there is always time to check out what is happening above us. The most obvious was the cry of a Red-shouldered Hawk. It landed in a pine tree by the road and began to add to the nest. So soon?



High overhead, a flock of Double-crested Cormorants headed toward the lake. Later we would go out in the muck toward the lake to have a look around. 100's of those cormorants weren't first to the party!!



Flying in the opposite direction, an American Robin zoomed along toward the East.





As the Cypress trees head toward hibernation they continue to shine bright in the early morning sunshine.



Below the canopy, Becki discovered a Ladybug pupa clinging to a tree trunk.

A few wading birds were moving upstream today. First was a Snowy Egret that got spooked by us walking by before noticing it. Later, a Limpkin was found reflecting nicely against the water.



It is not too rare to have the Limpkins this far up-river but they usually stick to the lake and the reeds.



One last bird for the day (after our recaptured Northern Cardinal) was a Carolina Wren. Another one for the books.



The sunlight was increasing and Ranger Frank spotted an adult American Alligator in the marsh before the lake. Didn't have the camera for that but by the time we got to the banding table Frank spotted another Alligator sunning above the river.



6 to 8 feet above the river! This American Alligator had to get up there somehow. There is a gentle slope to the right but who knows. Interestingly, Andrew was down by the river at this spot an our ago with no gator sightings.



We wrapped up for the day with a lot of species sightings but the existing birds had no interest in flying low. On the way home, Andrew decided to check on the Hooded Mergansers again in Maitland Center. Several male and female birds were spotted in one of the retention ponds.



One more week before Christmas and we decide on banding around the holidays. Stay tuned!
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 21st.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

Birds Finally Come Down

A few sprinkled greeted us as we arrived to set nets but the forecast was for things to clear by mid-morning. However, we had overcast skies for the entire banding period. The morning began with an early House Wren.



Next, we recaptured a female Northern Cardinal. Our newest volunteer, Danny, showed no fear in wanting to hold the Cardinal and was promptly initiated with nice strong grosbeak bites. Welcome to the club, Danny!



Most of the Maple leaves now cover the ground beneath them as they push out their first buds and seeds. Large flocks of birds were feeding in the tree tops but the Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers are beginning to feed along the water. This lead to our first Myrtle Warbler capture of the season.



A recaptured Gray Catbird was brought to the table. This bird was first banded almost a year-and-a-half ago during the Fall migration.



As we walked the net lanes at one point there came a strong whooshing sound, nearly like fast approaching rain. Instead, the sound was from the wingbeats made by flocks of low flying Double-crested Cormorants. Around 100 of them all headed to the lake.



The morning was slow but the variety was nice. Eventually we captured a bird and offered it to Danny for a try at banding.



It was an Eastern Palm Warbler. Westerns are far more common here so it is always nice to see a brighter yellow version.



Down in the river along the boardwalk, a Limpkin was cruising for breakfast.



Didn't take long to pry some shellfish from the sand as the bird ignored us as we enjoyed the view.



Back near Net 7, Andrew found a Yellow-shafted Flicker feather on the ground. We have never captured one of them but when we hear them it is usually in this area.



Then things began to pick up as we considered closing up. We were bringing birds back one at a time earlier but suddenly we had four all at once.



We always hurry to get the Ruby-crowned Kinglets banded and released first as they can suffer from stress more easily.



The others were all Myrtle Warblers, including transitioning males, and we got a good shot of the 'yellow rump'.



This even older male clearly reveals its yellow crown which is usually difficult to see in wintering Yellow-rumped Warblers.



More birds were being captured quickly including an adult White-eyed Vireo.



We had more Myrtles and Kinglets and ended the morning with a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. They are even more difficult to capture as they see the nets better and usually can get themselves free even when they do land in the nets.



If folks didn't have to leave we could have captured many more birds as the sunshine finally arrived. Maybe next time we can have a bit more warmth and increase our capture rate earlier in the day.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 2nd.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.