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.

A Sharpie Warms Our Day

Three hearty souls braved the cold morning (39-ish degrees-Don't laugh) for the first time in weeks to see what might be flying. Our hands never warmed up until we were about to leave. The capture of a special bird did warm our hearts, though. More on the Bird-of-the-Day and the end, of course.

Our firs bird of the day was a young Gray Catbird.



It displayed an interesting tail molt.



Next up, our first of three Palm Warblers for the day.



The final Palm Warbler of the day was caught as we were closing up the nets.



Nice to have another Swamp Sparrow for the season. Yes, the gloves never came off.



Checking on the lake, we found a Pied-billed Grebe, a Limpkin, and dozens of vultures lifting up into the increasing winds.



Also down by the lake was an Orange-crowned Warbler.



Can you tell we are rushing right along? Why? Our Bird-of-the-Day.

As Greg and Andrew walked the trail they noticed a curious sight. Hanging in Net 14 was a hawk. A Sharp-shinned Hawk.



This is the first Sharpie we have captured here. We used to get a couple out at Wekiwa Springs. Which made us wonder once we noticed this bird was already banded!



It was a juvenile so it couldn't be one of those banded by us. Must have been banded this year and arrived here during migration. Probably.



The number was sent to the Bird Banding Laboratory. They say they do not have a record of this band. Yet. They will get back to us with that info when they can. For now, we get to enjoy the moment before Greg releases the bird back into the wild.



Next week should be warmer. Better be...

Happy New Year!!!
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 6th.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.

Even Quieter

The weather was cloudy with a few sprinkles in waves and the winds were gusting from time to time so we were not expecting much activity today. The Sun did not even make an appearance until 9 AM. You would think it would have discouraged the mosquitoes, but it didn't. So, we watch and we wait.

First up for the morning was another new young Brown Thrasher. Seems to be a nice family living down near the end of the lanes.



Most of the bunitngs departed a couple weeks ago so it was nice to see that a few stuck around. We recaptured an Indigo and a Painted Bunting today.



Down near the lake, the Salt-bush trees (Baccharis halimifolia) are in full bloom.



The Climbing Hempweed (Mikania scandens) is also making a pretty showing in several locations around the lanes.



Though not common over on our side of the river, there is some Milkweed blooming. Milkweed means Monarchs!



With so many flowering flora around, the fauna is taking advantage as usual. One insect that is showing up on the Guineagrass are what appear to be Oriental Beetles.



Nestled down in another plant, a pretty little cricket with a yellow stripe lurks.



Where there are insects, there are predators. Like this intimidating spider.



There was a brief flurry of activity once the Sun came out. Palm and Myrtle Warblers teased us just above the nets. Feeding with them were Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Titmice, and our local pair of Pileated Woodpeckers.



Back at the banding table, Andrew prepares to remove the next bird from a bag.



Happily, it was our first Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the season!



These Kinglets are our smallest Winter visitors. Our guest, Mary, wanted some scale so she placed a nickel on the table. The other connection to nickels is that Ruby-crowned Kinglets typically weigh as much as a nickel. About 5 grams!



On a sadder note, right before dawn, Andrew found a dead bird at the base of a tree. It is our assumption that this Sharp-shinned Hawk collided with the tree not too long ago. Perhaps it was chasing prey.



The hawk was turned over to the rangers who will try to have it mounted and used for educational purposes in the park.

Another cold front is due soon so hopefully it will bring us some new birds next week.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 13th.

All nets will be opened by 6:15 A.M.