Back to Business

Chilly but not too chilly. Winds would be increasing later but we were out to catch what we could.

Our first bird was a new female Northern Cardinal. Our usual camera went on the fritz so we had to rely on phone photos today.



It was nice to get a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets now that we didn't have to protect them from the colder temperatures. All females.



Out by the lake, Swamp Sparrows were popping up and calling. They don't seem to want to come up near the trail this season for whatever reason.



The sound of pecking had us quickly turning to find a busy Downy Woodpecker next to the marsh.



Then we finally began catching "butter-butts". First up were Palm Warblers.



Followed soon afterward by the Yellow-rumped Warblers, Myrtle sub-species.



That was it for the morning. We did install a new trail cam along the lanes so we will see if we have it in a good spot. As we were about to leave, Christine peered over the grass to the river and found one of our American Alligators resting on a log.



We haven't seen them up this far in months. Pretty sure the cold temperatures kept them in the lake the last few weeks.



A steady day but we could use more captures. Perhaps next week.

NOTE: Watching the weather for Sunday. Check back here by Saturday night or real early Sunday morning to see if we have to cancel the day.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 28th.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

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.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 21st.
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

Banding Over for 2017

With a heavy heart I have to call an end to the 2017 banding year. Circumstances have led me to take a break until January. Those who need to know the particulars (nothing dire) will be informed but we look forward to a brighter year after the holidays.

Thanks to all who contributed during a slow 2017. Irma didn't help. Sleep in and enjoy the festivities! Stay safe.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, January 7th.
All nets will be opened by 6:50 A.M.

Still Quiet

Still quiet in the area but at least we have the Supermoon to look at. It was nice and bright as it set this morning before dawn. This photo was taken about 12 hours later in downtown Orlando.



At least we could be happy with the results of yesterday's AAC Championship game as UCF defeated Memphis to become the only undefeated college football team in the country. Andrew decided to represent by swapping out hats today.



Our first bird of the morning was a recaptured House Wren. All birds captured today were recaptures. Birds were around from time to time but decided to feed high in the trees all morning.



Aislin and Angelo joined us this morning and helped record info for the wren and the next bird, a Hermit Thrush.



Out by the lake, several Swamp Sparrows chased one another along the shoreline.



The final bird of the day was an Ovenbird.



Just after we released the bird at the table, Connie spotted a Raccoon ambling in our direction. It finally noticed us and made a course correction toward Net 3. It then scurried up a tree as we approached for a close-up. A couple of minutes later it climbed down and headed up the lanes. We noticed several dug up turtle nests along the lanes. Little guy has been busy.



One bright spot after the disappointing capture rate was more and more returning Hooded Mergansers all over the region. We don't band them but they are fun to watch.



More Yellow-rumps and Palm Warblers are around with more to come. Perhaps next Sunday will be a productive day. Suppose to be on the chilly side, though.

NOTE: We will not be banding December 10th due to weather. Forecast is for temperatures in the mid 30s with higher winds making it more dangerous for birds if lingering in nets.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 17th.
All nets will be opened by 6:35 A.M.

Fast Start, Fast Stop.

We were hearing birds calling even before dawn so there were high hopes that today would be better than last week. However, our hopes were dashed. Started strong but got quiet real quickly.

Just after dawn, Andrew made his way down the lanes and spotted a male Northern Cardinal in Net 10. As he approached the net, a shadow came rushing out of the woods across the river. A Barred Owl was honed in on the bird. A quick shout of "Hey!" and the owl veered off and back into the trees just at the end of the net.

It was flushed deeper into the woods and then the remaining nets were checked. On the way back, there was a large shape in the net where the Cardinal had been. It was the owl. It was taken out and sent on its way back across the river. Dopey bird...



The Northern Cardinal was brought to the table, banded, and sent on its way.



Then a recaptured Brown Thrasher was brought in. It was first banded as a juvenile nearly 2 years earlier.



Next up, a Hermit Thrush.



And that was it. All we could do then was some bird watching. The Limpkin pair has been all the way up the river and today they in the river and then in the trees.



The Myrtle Yellow-rumps are showing up. Finally. They were more content to feed in the Tallow branches today, though.



Anhinga were present in large numbers all along the edge of the lake and across from the old Net 21 site.



Up in the forest, Andrew was visiting Oscar. He absentmindedly removed a random piece of bark from a pine tree and was surprised to see a large Cuban Treefrog. Weird.



Before we wrapped up for the day, the ladies were busy watching the Pileated Woodpecker pair as they flew in and dug holes in the pines behind Net 13.



Next week has to be more productive. Right?
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, December 3rd.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Way Too Quiet

Today was almost completely quiet. Little bird calls, few flyovers, and very few birds in the nets. At least it wasn't raining...

The first bird of the morning was a Carolina Wren caught in Net 8 before it was fully open. One of our recaptures.



A Hermit Thrush was next. Yet another recapture. Then things got even quieter than we thought possible. Time to wander.



Now that the water levels are subsiding, Andrew picked his way through the new obstacles leading to the edge of Lake Lotus. Success! However, there are muddy areas that ssow clear signs of alligator lounging all around. No actual gators were in sight today, though.



Our final bird of the morning was a new House Wren.



Here is hoping that next week will be more fruitful after we get past Thanksgiving. Still waiting for Yellow-rumps to make a noticeable return but a few have been seen in the nearby neighborhoods.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 26th.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Rainy and Windy

Dodging raindrops. Again. Winds were in play, also, pretty early and our catches were low. The only solace was the return of flocks of American Robins drifting over throughout the morning.

Our first bird was a Hermit Thrush but the photo was too embarrassing to share. The following birds were House Wrens



We recaptured one of our resident Brown Thrashers a bit later.



Another recapture was brought in later. An adult male Ruby-crowned Kinglet we first banded nearly two years ago.



Our final bird of the day was a juvenile Eastern Phoebe and then things grew quiet except for the nearby sound of an Indigo Bunting.



Our visitors today found a new bird in the river for us. Three female Hooded Mergansers were paddling in the Little Wekiva but soon disappeared. Andrew found a male back were he usually sees them during the season so they are back. Perhaps the weather will begin to clear by next week. That would be nice.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 19th.
All nets will be opened by 6:20 A.M.

Insert Foghorn Sound Here...

One of those days. Start with a meeting with a Sheriff's Deputy, talking to a Bobcat, and getting things ready in the heaviest fog probably ever in memory.

This shot was of the fog near 8:30 AM out by the lake. It did not clear until late in the morning and kept all bird activity at a bare minimum.



Just after Sunrise, Connie walked back to say there was an Eastern Screech Owl in Net 5. Typically, they are very docile, but this youngster was ready to rumble and tried to bite and scratch all the way through the data process. It flew off quickly soon after this shot.



We heard a few Gray Catbirds today but only caught one and got a blurry photo after the banding. Another juvenile moving through.



This shot was actually taken last week but we share it now as we checked on what might be around Net 21 since we moved that net and the water is dropping a bit. There are many footprints out there in the mud including Coyote and this large American Alligator print next to a tail print from when it moved back into the river.



Phyllis called to report a captured Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They have been around a few weeks and it is nice to have a male join us today.



Just when we mentioned that we weren't hearing or seeing Ovenbirds, one flew in.



Even better, as we got ready to head home, we caught a new juvenile Eastern Phoebe to round out the day.



Only one Indigo Bunting was heard today but it should be time to start catching them soon. Maybe the weather will hold out and bring us some of the later migrants along the way.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, November 12th.
All nets will be opened by 6:15 A.M.