Lots of Visitors, a Few birds

To start with what could be our last cool morning of the season, new visitors began joining us at dawn and we got our first bird of the day which was a nice surprise. A female Indigo Bunting. We thought we might get our last one of the Spring on Earth Day so it was nice to get one a couple of weeks later.



One of our new volunteers, Nikko, got to release our newly banded Indigo Bunting.



Next up was a female Northern Cardinal. She had a brood patch so the nest cannot be too far away.



Shortly afterward, Susan and Phyllis had a couple of birds in Net 19. Here, they extract a recaptured Carolina Wren.



The entire crowd gathered round and Andrew struck back with a photo of his own. Still, the camera could not capture all of them as they flanked both sides of the table. It was great to have Elizabeth, Christine's friend from the UK in light blue, returning for a visit.



The adult Carolina Wren did not show a brood patch as they usually breed a bit earlier than other species in the area and their brood is likely already fledged and hiding on the property.



Returning visitor Eileen got to release the Wren.



The other bird caught at the same time was a female American Redstart.



Christine got to supply the nightmare of the morning. A large spider was on Net 12. Probably a Huntsman's Spider.



As Andrew jumped the river to sneak away into the woods, as he is prone to do (ask his Mom), Nick got a shot of the escape.



While out on the fishing pier, Andrew had a bird fly by him and into the woods on the other side. He was thrilled to identify the bird and couldn't wait to tell the crowd. Turns out that they soon got a better view of the bird up near the river. It was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo! Haven't seen one of them for a while but they do live here year round. Luckily, Rachel got a shot of it before it flew off again.



She also captured a shot of one of the Swallow-tailed Kites cruising high overhead.



There was another couple of good finds just after that. There were a pair of female Blackpoll Warblers high in the trees (no photos) but the other bird we were thrilled to see was nearby. As everyone headed back down to find it again we spotted a Red-shouldered Hawk on the prowl which probably explained the lack of smaller birds around.



The real find of the morning was our first ever seen Scarlet Tanager on property for us. It gave everyone a nice view for a little longer before flying over to the park side across the river.



Our final bird of the day was a male American Redstart. There were several seen today as they make their way back North to breed.



Rachel got to release the American Redstart. Think she hated it...



Just before we packed up, a male Pileated Woodpecker (told by the red stripe near the bill) landed on the snag next to the banding table before flying off in search of food.



We were hoping for a little more activity but the birds that were around were mainly high in the trees today and NEXRAD radar shows that most migrating birds are streaming straight up Mexico into Texas instead of over on the eastern coast. Three weeks to go in our Session 9 before our Summer break but we can still get some interesting birds in the next couple of weeks.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, May 14th.
All nets will be opened by 6:05 A.M.

Overcast, Windy, but Some Color

Migrants finally started hitting the peninsula last week so we were hoping for some better activity at the banding site. Alas, the overcast skies didn't deliver as hoped and the winds picked up and reduced capture chances even more. One sign that migration is ramping up was the flocks of Cedar Waxwings scarfing down wild cherries near the banding table. When they hit that tree it is usually the last time we see them until they return near the end of the year.



At one point later in the day, the Sun broke through the clouds briefly as the birds settled on a snag for a break.



We eventually captured our first bird which was a female Downy Woodpecker. It was a recapture and was first banded almost the same day six years ago.



Next up was a new female Northern Cardinal. It has been a while since we have banded a new female. Typically it is males that are moving in.



The one notable migrant species on the property were American Redstarts. Males were feeding low in the shrubs and calling like crazy. One male kept feeding around Net 1 and eventually it flew straight in the net as we watched.



Nick spotted 4 Swallow-tailed Kites circling overhead near the pines where they nested a few years ago. We only got one shot but it appears this bird is holding a clump of moss which they use to build their nest. Fingers are crossed that they pick the nearby trees again. Just before this photo was snapped we had a quick fly over of a Roseate Spoonbill! Never had that before.



Christine and Susan were checking the nets and found a Green Treefrog, (Hyla cinerea), clinging to the pole at Net 21. Nice to find the native species instead of the Cuban invasives.



Our final bird of the day was a male Northern Parula. The males are super busy feeding the chicks which are begging all over the place.



Later in the day, Andrew checked the SD card from our trail cam. No Coyote or bear this week. Mostly is was Raccoons...



...and many Opossum.



Most of the shots triggered during the day were made as the wind tossed the shadows around but we did get a nice shot of a Raccoon strolling by.



But a couple of shots that caused and audible gasp were that of the critter we were hoping to get last week. Our Bobcat, (Lynx rufus). we have long surmised that this what was using the spot as its restroom for a couple of years and now we have our definitive proof.



Photos from the following day were even more awe inspiring. The Bobcat in the daylight! What a lovely creature. So amazing that all of this wildlife lives on the property and you never see them in person.



According to our records over the years, the next two weeks should yield some fun birds as the last of the migrants head North to their breeding locations. You never know what will show up but last year we captured several Connecticut Warblers. We shall see.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, May 7th.
All nets will be opened by 6:10 A.M.

Wind? Again?!?

One could tell simply by stepping out the front door at 5 AM that it was going to be a slow morning. The wind was easily audible as it whipped through the trees. But since we have a 'nets are always half-full' attitude we soldiered on.

Catching a couple of Gray Catbirds early on gave us a bit of hope.



Less than an hour later we recaptured a Carolina Wren first banded last Fall.



Then the Sun was fully above the horizon and the wind picked up in earnest. At least a couple of baby American Alligators were enjoying the warm rays.



A 6-footer was out in the lake cruising near the shore.



Our first Swallow-tailed Kite of the year arrived using the ample wind to help it soar along the tree line and search for a snack. Nice to have them returning.



We were hoping to catch at least one of the two Louisiana Waterthrushes seen today but they stayed down in the shadows along the river bank.



Sigh. Another day spoiled by wind. Now that migration is picking up we hope it will calm down for a while.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 26th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

Well. Didn't See That Coming...

Ending migration right now so we had no idea what we might find today. Our first bird at dawn was a second year Brown Thrasher. They breed here but are still pretty secretive in the area.



Things quickly grew quiet but Christine came down to announce that she had a bird in Net 2. At first she thought it might be a Common Yellowthroat but changed her mind and that it should be given a closer look. Once we did...hmmmm. Turned out to be a new bird for us. Last week we had male Connecticut Warblers and this was our first ever female.



Then we returned to normal by catching local birds. This female Northern Cardinal was a new capture but definitely breeding now. That squint shows how mean she was. "Give me one chance..."



Later we caught a male Northern Cardinal who resides just down the lanes. We later recaptured another that has a territory near the end of the lanes.



Yet another female Connecticut Warbler was captured in Net 17. Wow. Again, it was 10 years ago that we captured this species at Wekiwa Springs and it was at the exact same time of year.



The next check of nets began and Phyllis called that we might like a photo op of a turtle. We thought it was in the river but this girl was up on the net lane. A Florida Cooter (Pseudemys floridans) climbed all the way up on our side to find a nice spot to lay eggs.



We were briefly distracted by calls overhead as a pair of Swallow-tailed Kites sailed high in the sky.



Meanwhile, the Cooter moved directly in our path to Net 4 and began to dig holes to deposit her eggs.



On closer inspection, she actually had three holes working. Later, Phyllis noticed eggs in the holes.



Our photo efforts had to end since we suddenly had some birds in Net 11. A pair of Tufted Titmice. One recaptured adult that we first banded as a young bird last year was the first to be processed. She was still growing in her brood patch and looking all scruffy.



Think birds aren't dinosaurs? Just look at those awesome talons on Titmice!



Next up was the other Tufted Titmouse. A baby who was full of attitude.



Just after being banding it demanded to be released.



Then relented to be photographed for a more respectful pose. We released the pair together by the river. Mom went one way and the chick the other. Mom called for her child and they soon reunited a few feet away before getting back with the flock.



Two weeks to go in Session 8. Will most likely be filled with local breeding birds but you never know...
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, May 22nd.
All nets will be opened by 6:00 A.M.