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.

Gray, Misty, Cold, Windy.

Need more descriptors than that? We were convinced that the fog and clouds were going to be burned off after the sunrise. Not to be. Temps were supposed to be in the mid-60s, but the morning started at 51 degrees and stayed there all morning with gusting winds. No one warmed up. Not even the birds.

Our first American Robins flew over mid-morning (a week late), so there was that.

Not long after dawn, Andrew had a House Wren pop out of the grass a few yards away by Net 19. He managed to direct it around the nets in the area and back into Net 19 for our first bird of the day.



Our only other capture of the day was a Gray Catbird.



In the gloom, Wood Storks were gathering on the neighbors lawn near the marsh. Eventually, 6 juvenile birds had gathered together and trolled the shallow waters from time to time.



Most of us got closer for images as the birds stayed around all morning. This Stork seemed to be more in control of the others. More importantly, do you notice anything different? A band! We do not have a permit to band waterfowl or waders so we have sent info to the FWC to see if they know where this bird was first banded. Stay tuned.



One of the other Wood Storks seemed a bit more refined with its fluffed feathers. Adult Wood Storks have black bills, by the way.



Almost hidden in clear view, a Limpkin was preening next to the storks.



A Great Egret flew in to search the marsh near the storks, too.



As a sign of Fall, a single Maple leaf dropped quietly into the water as we got photos of the birds. Look closely and you can spot a tiny water spider to the left of the leaf.



We closed up and headed home. Mentioning Robins earlier reminded us that typically when they arrive so do the first Hooded Mergansers. Andrew found the first pair just up the road in their Winter hangout in Maitland Center.



In the adjoining pond, a Pied-billed Grebe searched for similar grub. Both birds love crayfish, tadpoles, and small fish.



The next cold front is approaching and the forecast has stayed fairly steady. Could be rain early Sunday. If the rains are present from 5-7 AM then we will not be banding. Please check the blog before deciding to join us. The call will be made by no later than 5 AM.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 1st.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Last Migrant?

Hoping for any remaining migrants, we set-up pre-dawn as usual. The dawn chorus was strong but not much was flying. Just after official sunrise we had our first bird. Odd thing was that you could smell it from a distance.

It was a red morph Eastern Screech Owl. Boy, did he stink. Maybe it had a rotten rat for breakfast. Maria wanted to call it Popeye. Eastern Screech Owls do this often for some reason. Andrew insisted on calling it Stinky.



Once the data was gathered we were ready to release Stinky. It didn't want to go. This is another thing Screech Owls do. They just kind of hang out until they are ready to head back to the woods.



We had other birds to process so we put Stinky over on our other table and gave him a clear view of the woods. Still he sat.



As we were taking info on a recaptured Northern Cardinal, Stinky suddenly took flight toward the river. Seems like approaching volunteers was enough to send it on its way. It landed overhead and Becki got a shot before it flew deeper into the trees. Bye, Stinky!



A pair of Northern Cardinal were caught in adjoining nets. A female and a male that showed clear brood patches. A nest must be nearby.



Becky and Killian rounded out the crew for the day. It would end up being pretty quiet after they arrived.



The Barred Owl was very active this morning. Baby was heard calling before dawn and the parents were hunting and flying back and forth across the river. Baby is not looking too baby-like any more. Just a little fuzz left on the head.



Mama Barred Owl finally settled on branch above Net 1. Since they were so active we decided to close the middle section of the net lanes to keep any birds that might fly in from becoming a snack.



Later on the owls were fed and ready for a rest. Time for some preening.



We had plenty of time to explore today. Unfortunately. Over in the neighbors pond, a baby American Alligator cruised.



Speaking of cruising, Becki added to our insect checklist by finding a Royal River Cruiser.



Queen and Viceroy butterflies took flight mid-morning. Zebra Longings are also along the river.



Above the river, a Great Egret settled atop a Cypress tree.



Deeper in the branches a Pileated Woodpecker called and foraged.



More things with wings emerged including a lot of Horace's Duskywing (Erynnis horatius)



Tussock Moth Caterpillar roamed along the oak leaves.



If not for gravity, we may have never seen this snail. While we were at the banding table the snail slimed its way up a palm frond. By the time it got high enough it tilted into view as if on a see-saw.



Finally, this Gray Catbird may be our final migrant of Session 8. Hopefully not but they are quickly leaving the state.



Four weeks to go in the season. Might just start catching fledglings before we pack up for the Summer.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, May 8th.
All nets will be opened by 6:10 A.M.

Two Firsts of the Season

Higher wind than usual today. We figured that we wouldn't catch too many birds but we did have a couple of surprises along the way. We even had two new bird species for the season. More on that later, but our Gray Catbirds were up before dawn with two of them in the brighting morning.



Down at Net 14, a Hermit Thrush was comfortably resting in a net panel.



On the next run, Andrew found Richard extracting our first Eastern Phoebe of the season. They have been very vocal and visible and often have been seen perching on the net poles lately so it was nice to actually catch one.



A Great Egret flew to the sandbar across from the peir out at the lake and it was soon reproached by a Limpkin. Rangers say the Limpkins are preparing to nest nearby so probably a bit if a territory dispute brought them together.



Just across from the sandbar, a small flock of American Goldfinches dropped in to feed in the Primrose Willow.



Heading back to the nets away from the lake, a Western Palm Warbler teased us just across the river.



Becki and Killian brought in the Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the day, also in Net 21 by the lake.



A male Pileated Woodpecker flew to the snag next to the banding table in search of food before flying off again.



Most of the birds seen today were flying far overhead. Robins, ducks, and warblers were definitely on the move through the area but most failed to drop lower to Earth. At one point a flock of American Crows paused long enough to call loudly from the treetops near the table.



As Andrew cleared a stand of Primrose Willow next to Net 21, a female Painted Bunting was trapped next to the river. This is our first of the season for this species and it has been quiet a while since we have captured one.



So, not as disappointing as was anticipated but we would like to see more Yellow-rumps in the area. We did hear a couple of Cedar Waxwings fly past so maybe we can up the totals for next week. Less wind would certainly help us out.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 13th.
All nets will be opened by 6:35 A.M.