October 16, 2018

We are continuing to band with Dr Ed Rykiel and today we banded at the Amon Creek Natural Preserve.  This area is slowly being surrounded by housing and may not withstand the onslaught.  However, we did have our best day banding there and the birds were very active.  We banded the expected sparrows:  White-crowned (15) and Song (4) Sparrows.  The photos of the White-crowns will get you ready for our own upcoming project.  Mature birds (not born this past breeding season) have black and white stripes.  Immature birds' stripes are more buffy and brown.  Very easy to age until next spring when the White-crowns molt and all ages become black and white striped. 

adult White-crowned Sparrow

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

hatch-year White-crowned Sparrow

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We also caught quite a few Yellow-rumped Warblers (21).  We enjoyed the challenge of trying to age and sex them.  These are the Audubon subspecies of Yellow-rumps.  The yellow throat is the obvious difference from the Myrtle Yellow-rumps we banded in Florida.  Also note the lack of eye stripe that Myrtle has.

Audubon's race of Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Always a pleasure to catch and band are the kinglets.  They are so small it is amazing to hold them.  We caught 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets.  The first one was female and lacks the hidden ruby feathers.  The second one was a male with a brilliantly colored crown.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We also banded an American Robin, an American Goldfinch, and 2 House Finches.  We will continue to band with Dr Rykiel but the good news is that by the end of today our color bands should arrive and we will start banding on October 18.  Let's see what we learn.

March 19, 2018

Our last Possum Long session hints that migration may be picking up.  We had a lot of visitors including a preschool group, a smart young lady who was on spring break, and new and old friends.  I am thankful for my long term volunteers and the visitors who allow me to share this experience.

We banded 6 birds and recaptured 2.  The recaptures were a Gray Catbird from March of 2014 and a Painted Bunting from this past fall.  Hopefully their return to this location met their "fuel" needs as they overwintered somewhere and are getting ready to depart.

We banded our first Prairie Warbler of the season.  Although some over-winter here, we suspect (hope?) that this one was migrating through.  It was starting to build up some fat reserves to fuel its journey north.  Hard to see in the field but visible in hand are the rufous streaks on the back of this species.

Prairie Warbler

Photos by Bill LaFramboise

We also banded two other warblers:  a Yellow-rumped and a Palm.  These are winter residents in south Florida but still might be stopping at Possum Long.  The Palm Warbler was starting to develop its breeding colors - its rufous cap and yellower face and breast.

Palm Warbler

photo by Bill LaFramboise

We also banded three new Gray Catbirds.  Another capture was a male Northern Cardinal that we were unable to band.  It likely had a mite infestation that was causing its legs to enlarge.  We do not feature some of the injuries and illnesses we see but this one is pretty common especially in the Painted Buntings that we band.  Early on during our Possum Long banding we encountered another male Northern Cardinal with similar legs.  We caught it often and ended up calling him "Mr. Legs".  Since the bird could not be banded we can't be sure if this was the original Mr. Legs but it could be.  See post for November 8, 2012 - what do you think?????

Northern Cardinal

Next Possum Long session will be on Tuesday, March 27.  Nets go up at 6:45 am.

March 16, 2018

Today we returned to PB 46 where we have caught our highest number of Painted Buntings at a single location - now over 150!  This yard is phenomenal!  It has the right plants, food, and water and a great set-up for nets.   The hosts are great to work with and they have been feeding for years.

We banded a total of 29 new Painted Buntings and recaptured a few from earlier in Season 5 as well as some from earlier seasons.   One bird was very cute and the photo does not do it justice.  It had one yellow feather on each side of its head but not in symmetrical positions.  Likely just some feather replacement after a small bit of shedding.

Painted Bunting with random yellow feather

We also banded eight incidental birds.  There was a Yellow-rumped Warbler, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4 Gray Catbirds, an Indigo Bunting, and a Northern Cardinal.  

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Indigo Bunting - female

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Season Five Painted Bunting total:  242

We have two more Painted Bunting appointments before the next session at Possum Long on MONDAY, March 19.  Nets go up at 6:45.

March 13, 2018

Finally caught up.  If you have just landed on this entry there are 3 more recent posts to read!  We are all anticipating spring migration. This Possum Long session has us more hopeful. 

We banded three new birds and recaptured 5 more.  We banded a Yellow-rumped Warbler, a Gray Catbird, and a new Painted Bunting. 

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is showing wear on its head that reveals the yellow that is seen in its breeding plumage.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Our recaptures were 2 Painted Buntings that were banded this past fall.  Likely they remained in the vicinity of Possum Long.  We also recaptured a Blue Jay, a Gray Catbird, another Yellow-rumped Warbler, and an American Redstart.  The redstart was banded this past October and likely was not at Possum Long for the winter.  Nice to have it return.  We had identified it as a young male and that was further verified as it is developing more black on its face.  Recaptures give us a lot of information.  

American Redstart

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We also saw more warblers moving through.  Numbers are much higher than what over-wintered.  These are the more southern breeding birds that go north early to claim their territories.  Those from farther north have to wait a bit more.  The species seen were Black-and White Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Northern Parula, and the recaptured redstart.  Hopefully the less common southern breeders show up next week.

The next session will be on MONDAY (March 19) instead of Tuesday.  This is a one-time change.  Nets go up at 6:45.

February 27, 2018

We banded at Possum Long on Tuesday.  Numbers are picking up and we are starting to see and hear a few more birds.  It was very frustrating to hear but not see what might have been a Golden-winged Warbler singing!  The song is a very distinctive buzzy "bee-buzz-buzz".  There was still a Summer Tanager around.  We also had many delightful visitors who I hope continue to return to see migration progressing.

While we were setting up nets one visitor came early to photograph the Wood Duck in the nest box.  Well, it wasn't there but this was!!

Eastern Screech-Owl

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Pretty early we recaptured an Ovenbird and banded our first Yellow-rumped Warbler.  Later we had 4 Yellow-rumps in the net at the same time.  We banded a total of 8!

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We also banded 3 Gray Catbirds and a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Gray Catbird 

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

the red belly of a Red-bellied Woodpecker

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Another item of interest was this cute baby turtle.  Linda brought him over for all to see and then returned it to where it had been found.  Enjoy!

Next scheduled banding at Possum Long will be on March 6.  Nets go up at 6:45.  

NOTE:  There will be no banding at Possum Long on March 20.  However we will band on Monday, March 19 instead.

February 20, 2018

Tuesday, February 20 was a session at the Possum Long Banding Station.  It was a day of wonderful bird viewing.  There were more birds on and above the property but we only banded 5 birds.  This is an increase and we should continue to increase but the hard part is that nets are low and birds are high.

There were hundreds of Cedar Waxwings on the property and it felt like teasing!  So close yet so far.

Cedar Waxwings at Possum Long - just one of the trees

Photo by Robin Potvin

Cedar Waxwings at Possum Long

Photo by Robin Potvin

Also on the property was a Summer Tanager.  We have been spotting them for the last few weeks.  Not sure if they over-wintered again.  Both species were seen eating fruit from the Ficus (Fig) trees.  

Summer Tanager

Photo by Pete Grannis

However we did band 2 Northern Cardinals, 2 Gray Catbirds and a Yellow-rumped Warbler.  Among other recaptures we had a Common Yellowthroat that was banded in October.  

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Common Yellowthroat

Photo by Pat Marshall

Gray Catbird - I love revenge photos - bird biting bander

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Congratulations to fellow birder Andrew Boyle and his volunteers.  They banded at the Orlando Wetlands Festival and had some great birds including a Philadelphia Vireo which was a surprise as they do not typically over-winter in Florida.  Read more a https://wekivaband.blogspot.com/    The 2/17/18 entry.

Next Possum Long session will be on Tuesday, February 27.  Nets go up at 6:45 am.

A very early warning - we will NOT be banding on March 20 but will on March 19.  (Weather permitting as always)

February 13, 2018

It was great to get together to launch the spring banding season.  We welcomed visitors and enjoyed catching up.  We had predicted today would be quiet as far as captures go but we were pleasantly surprised with the birds on the property.  There were several Summer Tanagers as well as the usual winter birds.

Newspaper photographer Hobie Hiler came to see the operation of the banding station and luckily we did have a few captures.  First we recaptured a Gray Catbird that was banded last October.  It likely spent the winter on the property or somewhere nearby.

Gray Catbird

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We then got a female Yellow-rumped Warbler.  Looking at the upper tail feathers and the white spots on the tail as well as other features we determined it to be an adult bird.  

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We also recaptured an Ovenbird banded last October.  Harder to say whether this one over-wintered or is passing back through.

Ovenbird

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Lastly was our second new bird of the day.  Another Gray Catbird but this one got a new band.

The following weeks should improve and soon we will be in the midst of spring migration.  We are still banding Painted Buntings and we will keep updating here.

Next scheduled banding at Possum Long will be February 20.  Nets go up at 6:45.  

November 14, 17, and 19

Tuesday at Possum Long was better with the arrival of more Yellow-rumped Warblers.  We banded 4 of them in addition to a Black-throated Blue Warbler, 2 Gray Catbirds, and a Northern Cardinal. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo by Pete Grannis

Gray Catbird

Photo by Pete Grannis

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Photo by Pete Grannis

Since we have been banding near the pond at Possum Long, several folks wondered if there were more birds back at our "woods" net.  This area is our best area for numbers and diversity.  No coincidence that it is densely vegetated and has pretty good ground cover.

So, we returned to Possum Long on Friday to test the theory.  It did pay off.  We banded 2 Painted Buntings (known for their love of cover), 2 Gray Catbirds, and an American Redstart.  We also recaptured the Carolina Wren that was one of the first birds we banded this fall.  We could not get all of the bird's measurements then as it was molting.  It is now fully feathered and we collected all of the typical data.

Carolina Wren

On Sunday we revisited PB 1.  Though there were quite a few birds attending the feeders, it was a bit windy and we only caught 3 new buntings and recaptured one from last spring.  It had been banded as a young, green bird and it remained green so we now know it is a female.  

Painted Bunting (male)

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Grand total of Painted Buntings to date is 45.

Next scheduled banding at Possum Long is November 21.  Nets go up at 6:30 am.

March 19, 20, and 21, 2017

March 19 was a super busy day as we visited two locations.  We returned to PB 64 in the morning and PB 13 in the afternoon.  Many thanks to Pat Marshall who worked at both sessions and the next day too!

At PB 64 we banded 9 new Painted Buntings as well as incidental captures of a Mourning Dove, a Palm Warbler, FIVE Northern Cardinals. and a Red-bellied Woodpecker.  Best news of all was recapturing all six of the birds we banded the previous year.  Some locations do get 100% returns!

Palm Warbler

Northern Cardinal - male

Painted Bunting - male

At PB 13 we were pretty hampered by the rising wind and a few grackles.  Despite that we banded 7 new buntings and recaptured one.  Incidental captures included another Northern Cardinal and 3 of the Common Grackles.  It is interesting to me that even though these 2 locations are fairly close, they do not seem to share birds.

Monday found us at PB 37.  We had last visited in Season Two and had banded 22 buntings then. This visit we banded 13 new buntings and recaptured 2.  The only incidental capture was a Blue Jay. Our host is an great photographer and she allowed us to share the release she caught!  We have two other great photos by her which will appear in presentations or maybe in a later blog.

Releasing the Painted Bunting after banding

Very colorful male Painted Bunting underside

Blue Jay holding his bands hostage

Our regular Possum Long session on March 21 went well but migrants are yet to show up in any numbers.  We banded a new Painted Bunting, a Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a Blue Jay.  We also recaptured another Painted Bunting, an Ovenbird, and a Northern Cardinal.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Blue Jay - wing showing young feathers

Next regularly scheduled banding at Possum Long will be March 28.  Nets go up at 7:15.

February 14, 2017

We had a pretty terrific opening day considering that migration, if it is underway, is just starting.  The day started out with the best bird of the day (see later) and a Northern Cardinal recapture.  All together we banded 9 new birds and 4 of those were all at once.  We also recaptured another Northern Cardinal. There were three types of warblers banded: Yellow-rumped, Palm, and Northern Parula.  In addition there were 2 Black-and-white Warblers seen.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo by Roy Netherton

Northern Parula
Photo by Pete Grannis

Fun to see the green back up close.

Northern Parula
Photo by Pete Grannis

Northern Parula
Photo by Pete Grannis

We also banded a few of the larger birds:  1 Blue Jay, 1 Northern Cardinal, and 2 Gray Catbirds.

Our highlight was a Hermit Thrush.  This is only the second Hermit Thrush we have banded on the property.  The first one was one of our first birds in October, 2012.  Always fun to study a "new" bird.

Hermit Thrush

Photo by Roy Netherton

Though this bird might appear a little reddish like a Veery, the spots are darker and more distinct.

Hermit Thrush

Photo by Roy Netherton

The tail is much redder than the back.

Hermit Thrush

Photo by Roy Netherton

A beautiful portrait shot.  Note the bristles near the bill.  When anything touches these, the mouth opens.  A very keen sense of touch.

Hermit Thrush

Photo by Roy Netherton

We were pretty amazed to see the mouth lining, so orange.

The next regularly scheduled Possum Long session will be on Tuesday, February 21.  Nets go up at 6:45 am.

February 11 & 12, 2017

This weekend we made return visits to two sites.  We are not getting many new invites so it is wonderful to have former hosts report they have many unbanded birds.

At PB 46 we banded 23 new birds and added to our return data with 11 recaptures.  At this site we have exceeded 100 birds banded.  The hosts are  incredibly wonderful to us and do an excellent job of tracking their birds.  Number 100 got a special combination with 2 of the black/white split bands.

Painted Bunting

We also banded a Mourning Dove, a Northern Cardinal, a Chipping Sparrow and a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Chipping Sparrow

At PB 49 we banded 14 new Painted Buntings, doubling the total there.  Last year we knew there were more birds but we were unable to catch them.  Though many of the birds were born last summer here's one that is older.  As we have mentioned many times before, this can only be told in-hand. Note the green edges to the feathers above the thumb.  These are hidden on a folded wing.

Painted Bunting (female as can only be told in hand) (ASY)

note the green edges to the feathers above the thumb

We recaptured three from last season and banded a Northern Cardinal who thinks he owns the yard!

Northern Cardinal

Next Possum Long banding:  Tuesday, February 14.  Nets go up at 7 am.