Waiting for the Big Push

Finally! A morning greeted by only a little dew and not soaking wet from rain kept our feet nearly dry for the first time in months. Not many mosquitoes, either, Now to wake the birds.

Things were rather quiet at sunrise, however, until Lynn and her charges spotted a Brown Thrasher up in the tree next to Net 9. It was watched as it called for several minutes before it eventually decided to move...directly into the net. It was our first Thrasher of the season and a juvenile, too. We knew they were breeding again but we hadn't seen much movement of late.



As is typical for this time of year, Common Yellowthroats ruled the day. The main captures in late Summer are juvenile males (below) and females.



A few older males are making their way down, too. This male Common Yellowthroat will get a fully dark mask by next Spring.



Another Veery joined us this week. Last week we had a juvenile and now we have an adult. Other thrush species should be on their way down starting next week.



The gang prepares to record data for the next bird but things soon grew quiet.



While we wait for more birds we explore the site. We clear as many invasive species as we can in slow times and one of the most enveloping is Skunk Vine, (Paederia foetida), which is now beginning to bloom in earnest. Hummingbirds visit the flowers and other birds love to eat (and thereby distribute) the berries and seeds and this is becoming the second most invasive vine in the area after air potato vines.



Considered another invasive, Primrose Willow, (Ludwigia spp.), are also spreading in the marshy areas of the the park. Their flowers are beautiful and nearly mesmerizing but they can overtake preferred plant species in very little time and need to be controlled.



Breaking the lull, we recaptured a Carolina Wren which Alease set free after the proper data was processed.



Back to Nature watching. Some wildlife is easy to spot, like the conspicuous White Peacock butterfly (Anartia jatrophae).



Some can be a little more difficult to find, like this Skipper resting quietly under a Maple leaf.



All flying things should beware, though. Golden silk Orb Weavers (Nephila clavipes) are coming back out now that the rains are abating.



Winds were increasing as the morning grew long so we decided to wrap up the day. As we began to take down the nets we captured a few more birds. The second most captured species of the day ended up being Northern Waterthrushes. They are usually headed father South by now but we enjoy the larger number of them this year.



Our last bird of the morning (and Bob's second extracted) was an adult female Common Yellowthroat.



We continue to train our new volunteers on bird extractions and we are seeing great progress. Just in time for the peak of migration here in Central Florida. Next week could see the return of several new species. Not telling our guesses, though... ;-)
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 22nd.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

Raptor Banding at ARC

Following our quick couple of hours at the banding site on Saturday we had to make our appointment over at the Avian Reconditioning Center (ARC) where Allison has been wanting to get some raptors banded before they are released back into the wild. An American Kestrel and Barred Owl were brought into the facility, have been healed, are healthy enough to be set free. We would soon learn there were a couple other surprises ahead.

This is also a day to get Allison some extra banding practice so that she can do it on her own in the future. The American Kestrel was brought in for its band and we couldn't resist a couple shots. We have to band indoors just in case the birds try to escape so the lighting is not the best.



American Kestrels are very skittish in the while so getting a shot of them in their natural setting can be difficult. The colors on these birds is amazing.



We thought the owl would be next but our surprise was that there were also a couple of Cooper's Hawks waiting in the wings. Since Allison was doing the banding, Andrew had to turn the camera over to Christine so he could hold the raptors.



First, one Cooper's Hawk...



...then the other.



Finally, the Barred Owl was brought in. Andrew measures the bird's tarsus to make sure the proper band size is used.



Bands for Barred Owls are sometimes a difficult task. Instead of a simple band, they are lock-ons and take more skill. This turned into a 3-person chore but in the end the banding was successful and the owl was taken back to the mew and will be released soon.



A well-rounded banding day. We began by getting the smaller birds in the area as the Common Yellowthroats returned and then we end by getting much larger birds banded at ARC. Time to get a little rest before we head back to the banding site Sunday.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 15th.
All nets will be opened by 6:35 A.M.

The Next Wave of Migrants Arrive

Sometimes you just have to add some extra banding time in. Such was the case this weekend. Birds were showing up on the NEXRAD radar sites Friday night so the troops were rallied and a few of us made it out Saturday morning. The radars weren't lying. The next migration species were arriving just about right on time.

Common Yellowthroats return in early September. One was seen last Sunday out in the marsh and several were seen Thursday and Friday at nearby Mead Garden. They were the most captured species this weekend.



A Carolina Wren hit the nets early. It seemed to be having a bit of a frown but it was a recapture so it knows the routine.



Near the end of the morning Richard delivered a Red-Eyed Vireo to the banding table. This bird had a brood patch meaning nesting in the area. Confirmation from our friend Paul Hueber showed that this species is indeed breeding in the park this year.



As we were wrapping up the nets for the morning we had a recaptured Yellowthroat and then a major commotion down at Net 18. Richard discovered a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the net and they were a handful. The first one banded was a female.



The loudest of the pair turned out to be a juvenile, apparently from the first brood of the year. We know that there have been at least two broods this year with one just now leaving the nest cavity nearby.

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Back to the grind on our usual Sunday. Again, Common Yellowthroats were the most captured bird species. This first wave of Yellowthroats in migration is full of females and juvenile males like this bird.



Andrew bands the first captures of the day, including yet another Common Yellowthroat.



One would think that we have captured and banded all of the local Northern Cardinals but we still keep getting them. This bird did not want to let go of the holding bag.



More proof. Even after it was measured and banded it sat on the table, grasping onto the bag and soon flew off back into the scrub.



Northern Waterthrushes are still around and we caught one at the mid-point of the day.



Becki, Joe, and Linda process another set of Common Yellowthroats as the morning moves along.



Just behind the banding table, a transitioning male Common Yellowthroat gets added to the data pool.



Turning out to be a good weekend for woodpeckers. Charles brought in a recaptured Downy Woodpecker and Becki got all the details before releasing it.



Then the call came that an interesting thrush was caught. Turns out that it was a Veery. They typically arrive a week later but we will take it!



Christine was having a good day down at Net 14. She soon returned with a pair of male Northern Parula. This species has been all over the place this year and seem to be hanging around a little longer than usual. At least as far as our usual capture dates in the past.



We often capture birds as they chase one another and that probably was the case for these territorial male Northern Parula as they were both in the same area of the same net. A really beautiful bird when you study them close up.



We are still hoping for drier conditions. Weather patterns keep soaking our feet and nets but fronts are beginning to shift. We can't complain with the variety we got this weekend, though.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 15th.
All nets will be opened by 6:35 A.M.

Enough of the Saturday Night Rain, Already!

Saturday was dry and hot. Until 7 PM. Then the rain returned and stayed over the Orlando area for a couple hours. Meaning yet another morning of wet feet and dripping trees. Even the dragonflies were soaked and had to wait for the sunlight to dry out.



Birds were few and far between throughout the morning. We started the day with a couple of recaptured local Carolina Wrens.



High rainfall totals are feeding the invasives, like the Air Potato, and they are taking advantage. We pull them out along the way as we check the nets. County officials are suppose to assess the problems sometime this month and may provide another source of removal.



Many of our native plantings are doing well, too, and are likewise enjoying the rain. The Wax Myrtles are starting to get tall and this particular specimen is full of fruit.



Migrating birds love the fruit of Wax Myrtle and the insects that gather there. Looking forward to see what takes advantage of this food source.



Green Tree Frog don't mind the wet. Lynn found this one among the palm fronds.



She also found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Net 9. Gnatcatchers are difficult to catch and typically stay high in the trees so it is always nice to have one in hand.



Susan got a photo of the other volunteers while Andrew was out tending to unruly vegetation.



Hopefully he won't accidentally grab onto anything dangerous like these Paper Wasps down in the grasses.



Manatee Tree Snails are still around and gliding through the underbrush.



The rain does knock down some of the spiders overnight but the Spiny Orb Weavers seem to tough it out with their skeletal smile.



Once the Sun rose higher in the morning sky, things began to dry out before we left. Near the river bank, a Slaty Skimmer prepares to take flight after the moisture evaporates from its wings.



The sunlight casts a shadow of one of the green bees (Agapostemon) as they visit a Spiderwort.



As we prepared to leave we captured a migrant Northern Waterthrush. A nice way to end the day.



Mid-September is typically the start of the busy season. Now if we could just get a drier morning for once.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, September 8th.
All nets will be opened by 6:35 A.M.