Sunday, August 28, 2016

August 28, 2016 Practice

Today we met Dan and introduced him to banding at Possum Long with a practice session.  We caught two birds and actually added two species the property list!  Can't wait to band more with Dan when he is free to do so.

I have always wondered why Carolina Wren does not find Possum Long a suitable place to be. Today we detected the first one on the property.  A long time coming. 

Carolina Wren
this photo was NOT taken at Possum Long but was photographed by me


The second new bird was a Gray Kingbird.  Dan was commenting how rare they are north of Palm Beach county and asked about breeding records.  We are not aware of any but likely it does occur. There are some present during breeding season near the Martin/Palm Beach line on US 1.  Like other places, these Gray Kingbirds hang out at the shopping center.  Do they benefit from insects in the lights?  Other species do.  I mentioned that during migrations we have seen them in St Lucie county and other parts of Martin county.  Today was a first for Possum Long.

Gray Kingbird
this photo was NOT taken at Possum Long but photographed by me

We banded an Ovenbird today.  Welcome back to this species.  Here's a head shot of this bird.  We only banded five this past spring (not good migration weather) so hopefully more will return this fall.  

Ovenbird
Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

We also banded a young Northern Cardinal.  This young male still had a mostly dark bill.  It was molting in many feathers.

Northern Cardinal
Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

In Painted Bunting news, we are hearing about more returns.  Three already banded birds have been reported.  New, unbanded ones are visiting feeders.  Some stay and some move on.  Hope to band some "early birds" soon.

We did top 20,000 visits to our blog!!!  The next milestone will be banding our 1000th Painted Bunting.  Only 81 to go......

Based on capturing the Ovenbird and some bird movement, the next Possum Long session may be moved up to September 6.  Meeting time is 6:30.  PLEASE let me know if you can come.  If I do not confirm this here, Opening Day will be September 13 at 6:30 am.  Watch the bottom of the posts.

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