Foggy Sunday

The first of a projected series of cold fronts is creeping down and a little rain is sweeping through. Radar shows birds moving, but they are most likely ducks instead of warblers. Will still set in for a day as the morning was brought with fog. It got thicker and thicker before dawn becoming a misty air in the dark.

This shot ws taken later but still shows he extent of the fog out near the lake lingering approaching 9 AM.



Our first bird in the morning was a recaptured House Wren. A second was not far behind with a Catbird, told below.



Hermit Thrushes typically arrive so much earlier, so it was nice to get our first ones today. This one was a juvenile.



Our one Gray Catbird flew in early and was next to our second House Wren in Net 9. Most of our birds were captured before 7:30 today.



Yet another new Northern Cardinal male was captured. Cardinals do not really migrate, so where is this guy coming from? Somewhere nearby, for sure.



A second Hermit Thrush was waiting at the table when we brought the other back. This one was an adult bird.



Another of our juvenile Carolina Wrens hit the nets. Kids still not learning.



As we waited for a hopeful next feeding wave, we looked around the property and were surprised to find several species of fungi all over the place. It has been a very wet couple of years and now it is very dry. The fungus has decided to thrive on the snags and undergrowth. We took time to take photos of all of the varieties along the way, starting with the big growth in the net lanes.



But, 'skeeeeeetch!" Where did this Purple Aster come from? It is now blooming just behind Net 9.



Up in the pine flat wood region of the property we found many different fungus. This patch was circling a trunk of a small snag.



Another trunk was circled from top to bottom.



On that same tree, a small branch was growing out and also being ringed by fungus.



Most were brown and tan were punctuated by a bit of yellow deep in the woods.



Behind Net 15, a bit of shelf fungus was seen by the oak felled by Hurricane Matthew.



One of the fun things about the fog is that is shows off all of the Bowl-and-Doily Spiderwebs all up and down the lanes.



Jenny spotted a turtle at that same spot when the rest of us missed it. It seems rather beat up but she says it shows some sign of Life. We shall see in the week to come.



In the wooded area near Nets 16-17, there is now a White Aster putting on a show.



Back at Net 15, signs of Tent Caterpillars are spinning homes in the holly.



Near the table, Andrew spotted a few other fungus features. This one was another ringing a small branch.



A step to the side revealed a more yellow growth in the shade.



As we wrapped up the day and headed back to the table after net gathering, Kate noticed a flash of orange off to the left along the path we have walked all day. There is a huge fungus growth there 5 yards off to the left.



Just behind the orange bloom was a set of white mushrooms sharing the same tree.



Net 3 was alos hiding a nice colony of caps.



Our final bird of the day was one we were wondering about. Where were the Ovenbirds? Quiet but still here.



One the way home, Andrew found some of the birds at Maitland Center. We are now up to 4 Hooded Mergansers in the parking lot pond.



Also feeding along the pond's edge was a Little-blue Heron...



...and several White Ibis.



We will dip into the 30s this week but should be back into the 80s by next Sunday. Maybe we can get some new migrants in the area with this new cold front? Fingers crossed...
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 2nd.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Picking up a bit

The weather is warming again and a fast moving front is approaching for later in the day. But it was a better day for us. In the first round at dawn we tied last week's capture total including the bird of the day right off the bat. Our first ever Chipping Sparrow! These little guys are not rare in the winter but they seem to prefer other areas, typically a bit more urban and at feeders.



We captured a few Hermit Thrushes today, including one recently banded a couple of months ago.



We caught three Gray Catbirds today. Oddly, they were all captured in Net 4 at different times. One of them was our white-chinned bird we first banded two years ago and it has been returning every year since.



We recaptured a striking male Northern Cardinal and managed to keep from getting a bite.



Across the fence at the 'neighbors', a Little-blue Heron was resting in the trees by the pond.



Out across from the pier, a Tricolored Heron was kind enough to pose in the morning light.



Then, suddenly, one of our Limpkins flew in to take the perch usually occupied by the cranky Anhinga.



Later, we recaptured a White-eyed Vireo first banded a couple of years ago.



Finally, a recaptured Carolina Wren rounded our the day.



One more week of banding before the holidays so we are looking to finish the year as strongly as possible.

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Before we go, our friends a the upcoming Birdapalooza Fest requested we post a message about the event where we will be presenting a banding demo for the 5th year.

Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival and Birdapalooza, January 21, 2017 On Saturday January 21, 2017 join Orange County and partners at the 5th annual FREE family-oriented Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival and Birdapalooza at Orange County’s Magnolia Park, 2929 S Binion Rd, Apopka, FL 32703. Enjoy guided bus tours (limited first-come seating), and guided walking and biking nature tours for children and adults on the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. For the entire family there are live animal demonstrations, bird banding, tree giveaways, music, airboat rides (for a fee), owl pellet dissections, entertainment by IBEX Puppetry, bounce houses, face painting, exhibitors, nature-oriented merchandise vendors and food trucks. Schedule is at http://www.birdapalooza.com and updates are on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/Birdapalooza/. In addition to this free festival, Orange Audubon Society offers birding and photo trips and keynote speakers on Friday and Sunday. See www.orangeaudubonfl.org/birdapalooza for details. If any questions, call 407-637-2525.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 18th.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

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.