More Spring Migrants

There was a fair amount of rain on Saturday so the area was soaked by morning and overcast all day. Our first bird of the morning was an Ovenbird. It was just last week that we were wondering when they would turn North. This was a very bright adult.



Lynn, a new visitor, got to release several birds through out the day, including the Ovenbird.



Several Gray Catbirds were heard on the property but we only captured a new one for banding.



Down by the marsh, a Carolina Wren hatched and banded last May stopped by for a visit.



Baby Barred Owl was very vocal today. At one point Mama stopped by to feed it.



It took us a bit of time to figure out what the meal was. Later on we found the remains of a frog beneath the limb.



We had hoped that the Barred Owls were done looking for food. Turns out they were still hungry and took advantage when a Brown Thrasher flew toward Net 12. Poor thing had no chance against such a skilled hunter. Time to post Owl Watch again...



A strong song was rising out near the lake. It took a couple of minutes to locate the singing bird. It was even more difficult to get a photo of our first male American Redstart of Spring.



A little farther on we found a large blooming of this little yellow flower on some sort of ground cover. Anyone have an ID?



Speaking of yellow, a Prairie Warbler was feeding in the willows but would not stay still for a focused portrait.



Nearby, a female Black and White Warbler was more cooperative.



Meanwhile, Mama Barred Owl was looking sleepy after her 2nd breakfast of the morning.



We captured 2 Northern Cardinals today. One was a new bird and the other was banded a couple of years ago. Males were chasing one another all around the table sites.



As most of the crew was roaming the net lanes, Bob, Lynn, and Richard processed another Ovenbird.



Our final bird of the day was the first Northern Waterthrush of the season. A Louisiana Waterthrush was also seen close to the lake.



As for the trail cam, last week was nearly all Raccoons. This week it was strictly Opossum.



More cool air and rain coming. Wonder what will show up next Sunday.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 15th.
All nets will be opened by 6:30 A.M.

Migrants Beginning To Move

Happy April! This is the time the migrants start getting restless and start feeding and gradually start on their way North. Even though we had to deal with some wind, again, it was an interesting mix of birds today, all of them migrants

The first bird of the day was a recaptured Hermit Thrush.



Eric and Hannah were our new visitors today and they both got to release a bird or two.



We should be catching northbound Gray Catbirds for the rest of the month.



Last week we wondered where the Ovenbirds were and this week we got one.



Our bird of the day was a Swainson's Warbler. Several were banded during our stint at Wekiwa Springs but this is the first we have banded here at Lake Lotus.



Out where Net 21 used to be, Golden Aster is now moving in to reclaim some of the area after Hurricane Irma scoured everything out last Fall.



Checking on the trail cam shows that last week was a busy time for the Raccoons. They were the dominate capture whether at night...



...or during the day.



Opossums were also wandering back and forth.



This area also sees and large gathering of Squirrels from Net 10 down toward the lake.



Our final bird of the morning was a Louisiana Waterthrush. With Net 21 out of play it was feared that we would miss them in the Spring but they are traveling up and down the river this year.



Numbers typically ramp up from here into early May. Only a couple weeks from Earth Day!
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, April 8th.
All nets will be opened by 6:35 A.M.

A Nice Variety Before the Wind

A good chance that anything could happen today so we set out as usual to get what we could before the wind kicked up as the day broke. Our first bird of the day was an Eastern Screech Owl. It was a recaptured bird that we first banded nearly a year ago. They always look so sleepy when in the hand but it quickly flew off after the data was collected.



As we were discussing how the House Wrens were occasionally being heard but not caught, we did manage to get one.



We did get two Northern Cardinals today. One male was a recaptured (photo not worth the while) and a female that was showing a brood patch.



We are getting near the end of Thrush captures so it was nice to had a Hermit Thrush today.



Despite knowing that it is the start of gator breeding season, Andrew took one more trip out toward the lake since it was a bit cool. The most interesting find was that a flock of Cedar Waxwings were out in the willows picking at all sorts of items.



It was difficult to get some good shots as the wind was picking up but we were lucky to catch a flight shot showing the wax tips on the tail feathers.



Seeing some scat on the make-shift walkway where the lane floods made us wonder as to the animal that left a present. Time to check the trail cam. We know Andrew as he sets nets before dawn...



...but who is this dude showing up the day before walking the trail on a closed property on a Saturday?



An earlier night found the raccoon family parading toward the lake.



Possums was beginning to increase their activity in the middle of the night.



The thought that the scat animal was a Bobcat was later confirmed. Many shots in the daylight and night showed our cat strolling through the area in the next 2 days.



What this is...we are not sure. Shot seems to not be a possum. Too bulky. Thoughts?



We did get a couple more birds before the winds shut us down. Always nice to get a Ruby-crowned Kinglet recapture. We might be getting more as we head toward Spring migration.



Connie had a bird at Net 20. She thought it was possibly a Thrush species. Well, she was close. At least by name. She had returned with a Louisiana Waterthrush (actually a warbler) that make a rare appearance in early August and moving back through in the Spring. A nice end to the day!



Weather forecasts are all over the place. Next Sunday is Easter and April Fools Day. Interesting...
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Easter Sunday, April 1st. No foolin'...
All nets will be opened by 6:45 A.M.

A Little Crunched for Time This Week

Hoping to have the full blog for the 18th up asap. Just wanted to make sure everyone knew the next scheduled day is the 25th in case I can't catch up this week.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 25th.
All nets will be opened by 6:55 A.M.

No Banding March 11th

Sorry. Andrew is sick. We will try again on the 18th.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 18th.
All nets will be opened by 7:00 A.M.

Another Day Blown Away

We woke to a very chilly morning that felt closer to 30 than 50. Later on the wind would again pour out of the North and grind activity to a halt. Last year at this time was the only time in our banding history at Lake Lotus that we didn't not capture a single bird. At least we broke that record this year.

Our first bird of the morning was a recaptured Carolina Wren.



Next up was a soon to be departing Gray Catbird.



We are all aware that Gray Catbirds have rufus undertail coverts (aren't we?) but we can't say we have seen rufus feather under the wing as shown on this bird.



A recaptured Brown Thrasher made for a squawking photo shoot before being processed and released.



The adult Barred Owl seemed more content on preening this morning but as the sunlight illuminated the opposite side of the river we made a nice discovery of the newest resident of Lake Lotus.



Our final bird of the day was a male Myrtle subspecies of the Yellow-rumped Warbler. He is quickly transitioning into his Spring finery.



This is a nice 'bright' specimen/ Love those crisp black and yellow feathers now showing up through the dull Winter wear.



Many birders overlook the yellow crowns these warbler posses, especially here in the Winter. The females have them, too, just less pronounced.



When you are catching more leaves than birds it is time to head home. At least as the day warmed it was rather nice to be out in the open air.



NOTE: Time to Spring Forward! Clocks move ahead one hour Sunday.
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, March 11th.
All nets will be opened by 7:10 A.M.

Back to Basics

Seems like Winter is gone. Usually we have our coldest day in February but it appears that is not going to happen this year. Today's high is in the 80s. Brrrr.

Early birds of the morning were a couple of juvenile Hermit Thrushes. Both were banded last Fall.



Northern Parulas returned just over a week ago and are singing up a storm. We captured one. This adult male was banded here last April and is back to raise the next brood..



Gray Catbird are beginning to grow restless as the weather warms and we are starting to catch them again.



The Barred Owl pair met up early as Andrew and Jenny set nets before dawn. Once the Sun rose they began to survey the area, including our net lanes. Some of the volunteers posted up in the center of the lanes to keep an eye on them.



Eventually, they settled into resting spots and took their naps.



Sure signs of approaching Spring. Spider Worts are popping up in their main spots. Earth Smoke is spreading all along the river, too.



Painted Leaf are also beginning to bloom.



Several of us notice a moth clinging on to Net 14. Christine IDs it as a Lettered Sphinx Moth.



Later on we captured a new Hermit Thrush. This one was an adult.



This Carolina Wren was hatched here last year and we banded it shortly thereafter. It is still here searching for breakfast.



Our final bird of the morning was another Gray Catbird. This photo is great for an identifying feature of Catbirds. When they are young the interior of their mouth is a whitish pink. This turns completely black once they have matured. Therefore, this is a young bird.



Looking forward to next Sunday. Should be a bit of a cool down as a front slips down Friday. Only problem is the increasing chance of a visit from our friend. Wind...
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Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 25th.
All nets will be opened by 6:15 A.M.