Chilly, Breezy New Year Start

It has been a long stretch of yucky weather since before the holidays. Despite the temperatures dipping into the high 30s this morning it was at least nice and clear. The wind did pick up as the morning wore on but wasn't too bad.



A strange fact about the cold is that we tend to catch more Ruby-crowned Kinglets as they flit around to find more food. Half the birds we captured today were that species.



We don't often see Ospreys resting over the river as they prefer to be out in the open and next to the lake. This Osprey was preening and watching the rising Sun across from Net 14.



Below in the the river, one of our resident Limpkin was looking for breakfast.



Blue-gray Gnatcatchers teased us throughout the day by chasing insects all around the nets but deftly maneuvered out of range.



Just when it was noticed that we hadn't heard any Gray Catbirds yet, one was brought to the banding table.



As the wind was picking up we managed to capture a Western Palm Warbler.



Loud cries alerted us to anther Osprey up in the pines with a fish snack.



There is almost always a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker around during the Winter month but this one didn't show itself until the Titmouse family began to squawk along the riverside.



The one species we really wanted to start catching today waited until the end of our stay. A Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle subspecies) got his band before we rolled up the nets.



It would have been nice to have a little more warmth but it wasn't too bad. However, another low is suppose to swing in next week and leave it chilly again next Sunday. Could be a repeat of today.
NOTE: We will not be banding January 14th. Forecast is for temperatures in the low 30s with higher winds making it more dangerous for birds if lingering in nets.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 21st.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

Of Migrants and Raptors

(Getting caught up on blog posts that were not possible due to a crashed computer. Forgive us if the photos are out of actual order. Memory is a tricky thing! The species documentation is still correct. -Andrew)

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Migration is picking up in both directions on this typical Spring morning. Some birds will be heading North soon like our first bird of the day, a House Wren



Our locals like this Carolina Wren are settling in to nest and raise the next generation by the river.



More North-bound birds soon followed like Gray Catbirds. Why they even leave Florida is beyond me. They breed as far South as Georgia.



We recaptured a familiar Gray Catbird today. Mr. White Chin! This is the third time we have captured it.



Our first surprise of the day was a beautiful adult Northern Parula. Fledglings are just now being heard in the trees.



Second surprise was not too far behind. A Louisiana Waterthrush headed home somewhere to the North and West.



Down the lanes the Thistle is beginning to bloom in earnest.



Dragonflies are coming out in larger numbers, too.



Out over the lake, the resident Osprey searches for breakfast near the fishing pier.



Since we moved Net 21, Richard decided to plant a couple of Wax Myrtles along the river before you reach the lake. Hope they hold on through the rainy season.



Down in the river, the Alligator Gar are staging at the bend to pick off unsuspecting prey.They have also been seen into the marsh after a heavy rain. This one was about 3 feet long.



Our next surprise of the day was found closer to the banding table. We caught an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk! The eyes really give it away. Adults have red eyes, juveniles are golden.



Such an exciting catch! Sharp-shinned Hawks are another Winter visitor and should be gone soon.



Even more interesting, what is this bug crawling on Andrew's arm? Pretty.



Almost as pretty as the male Northern Cardinal we captured as the morning was winding down.



Across from Net 11 we found a new moth for us. Becky did some sleuthing and discovered it was an Eight-spotted Forester, (Alypia octomaculata).



We missed whatever ate all of the last crop of holly berries but the trees are blooming once again already.



We captured one more bird as we were closing nets. An adult male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. They have been teasing us for most of the Winter/Spring. Nice mono-brow!



An excellent mix today and Spring migration is just kicking in.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 10th.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

2016 Orlando Wetlands Festival, Pt 1

With the computer back in operation we realized that we have a ton of photos. Going to have to make a couple of posts to cover everything. It was a birding festival, of course, so there were a bunch of species to discover.

We had an early surprise. The park made some signs to direct people toward us.



We never know what kind of day we are going to have. Especially after last year's record shattering capture rate. We were once again gathering birds not long after we opened the nets and the bags began to be added to the branches before banding actually commenced



Gray Catbirds were plentiful today. Some years we will only catch a couple but they were all over the property this year.



Our second bird surprised us. The first of two Orange-crowned Warblers we got. Think this is the first time we have gotten them out here.



One flock no one was happy to see was a flock of Paragliders frightening birds all around the marshes.



A Limpkin flew in to feed behind the net. It found many shelled snack over the hours it searched and the shore was littered with the discarded bits.



The most common bird we catch at the Wetlands is the Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler. They led the totals today as they usually do.



Flying in from across the road was a White-eyed Vireo. Lynn got a photo of Andrew taking a photo.



Here is Andrew's view.



"What did you guys put on me?"



The next Myrtle Warbler, a male beginning to molt into Spring plumage.



One of Andrew's co-workers in the the "real world" arrived in time to release the next Myrtle Warbler.



The group of visitors consisted of a bunch of very happy kids.



Becki and Killian prepare the table for the rest of the day.



Time for a hike! At the end of the net line a Turkey Vulture takes wing over the grassy marsh.



A distant Hammock around the corner is one of our favorite vistas.



A White Ibis watched us walk by as it rested on a moss covered tree.



A friend mentioned 19 Black-crowned Night Herons resting around the corner. Most of them were hard to see as they perched deep in the branches.



In drier years this spot is usually being used by large American Alligators sunning on the mud. With the high water only a few young gators float through the water.



Trying to stay hidden, a Black-bellied Whistling Duck sleeps on the far bank.



The Orlando Wetlands are a great place to find Purple Gallinules. Today they were especially visible, walking this way...



...and that.



A small note alerted us to look to the right. A Marsh Wren was perched on top of the grass before disappearing again.



Tree Swallows were all over the place out on the impoundments. At times they would fly a foot away from you on their way from one insect to the next. They are notoriously hard to photograph as they zip past.



Ospreys began to hunt as the day warmed up.



In the next impoundment a Great Egret frames a splash of yellow.



We will leave Part 1 with a female Anhinga resting on a snag out in the water.



Stay tuned for Part 2. A lot more birds to follow.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 28th.
All nets will be opened by 6:20 A.M.