October 16, 2017

On Monday we caught more bigger birds than warblers.  We did catch 1 American Redstart and TWO more Magnolia Warblers but the rest of the captures were big.  It has been hard to believe how many Magnolia Warblers are around and being captured.

We caught a good variety of the bigger birds:  Our second only Scarlet Tanager.  The white underwings are created by the flight feathers being half white and half black.  The black shows on the upper wing and the white shows on the underwing.  This is not the case with the similar Summer Tanagers.  This bird was missing its tail.  There were signs of it already growing back in. 

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

We also caught 3 thrushes:  2 Gray-cheeked and one Swainson's.  This Gray-cheeked does not show the spectacle that the Swainson's does.  It was carefully measured to rule out the smaller Bicknell's Thrush.

Gray-cheeked Thrush

We rarely capture Rose-breasted Grosbeaks but they had been on the property for several days and were feeding on figs, palm berries, and beautyberry fruit.  Last year when we caught another one it was feeding on beautyberry. 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

The other birds caught and banded were 1 Brown Thrasher, 2 Gray Catbirds and 1 Northern Cardinal.

Note for next scheduled session is on the next post.

March 31, April 2, 4, and 5, 2017

The end is in sight at least for Painted Bunting Season 4.  We finally have topped 300 banded for this season with hopes of getting a few more before they all depart.  Hopefully we will have a productive migration season before heat, humidity, and rain shut us down for Summer Break.  Possum Long banding will continue through migration.  Hints of migration are starting....

On March 31, we returned to Vero Beach to PB 28.  It was an outstanding session.  We had originally banded 23 there 2 years ago.  This session was 33 new ones plus incidental captures and recaptures of Painted Buntings from both Season 1 and Season 2.  Our incidental species were an Indigo Bunting, a Carolina Wren, a Brown Thrasher, a Palm Warbler and 2 Gray Catbirds.

Painted Bunting

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Carolina Wren

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Brown Thrasher

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

On April 2, we returned to PB 46.  We caught 7 new Painted Buntings.  I don't think we will ever catch them all!  115 and counting!  Besides the new buntings we had recaptures and incidental captures of a Prairie Warbler, 3 Indigo Buntings, a Common Ground-Dove, and a Blue Jay.  

Blue Jay

Prairie Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

On April 4, we had our regularly scheduled Possum Long session.  Once more it was windy and therefore quiet.  Guests were treated to a recaptured Northern Cardinal and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.  We cannot band the hummer but it was fun to see as it rested on my hand before flying off.  We did band one new Painted Bunting.

Painted Bunting

female as evidenced by green edging on the primary coverts

On April 5, we banded at a new location (PB 71) that shows great promise for the future.  Right off we caught 3 Painted Buntings.  The surprise was a male American Redstart (ASY - after second year) .  I love the color of this bird.  We also banded a Blue Jay and 2 Northern Cardinals.  

As always we thank all of our hosts, some of the best folks one could meet.  Their passion for their birds and the rest of the critters is wonderful to share.  I owe so much to the folks who come week after week to lend hard work and support to these banding efforts.  I couldn't ask for a better team.

Next scheduled Possum Long banding is April 11.  Nets go up at 6:45.  Visitors (and migrants) welcome.

September 13, 2013

Just a short post to update a new bird to Possum Long - of all things a House Sparrow.  Being among suburban houses, we had long ago expected this species.  The first one landed in our nets during an impromptu session.  Typically introduced species are not banded but we would like to see if more House Sparrows are detected at the growing numbers of feeders at Possum Long and is this one going to be around.

House Sparrow

Photo by Nancy Price

Other birds banded were 2 Ovenbirds, 1 Blue Jay, and another Brown Thrasher.  With the rain and wind shift we had hoped for more migrants but they did not occur.

Ovenbird

Photo by Nancy Price

Blue Jay 

Photo by Nancy Price

Brown Thrasher

Photo by Nancy Price

The Blue Jay is a hatch year bird based on the absence of barring on the wing feathers just under my thumb. The Brown Thrasher is an adult based on the wonderful bright yellow eye and extensive molt.

Next scheduled banding still September 17.

August 13, 2013 - Lucky 13th

When we decided to end the summer break we were not sure of the timing of returning birds.  We hoped that we would catch local resident birds or with the reports of moving American Redstarts and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers there would be something to band.  If not, there would be pictures of the property like this:

Beautyberry

I first saw this plant in Lisa's garden in Washington (state) and have come to know it as a spot of color and a good fruiting shrub for birds.  

We did however catch 3 birds today so we were lucky.  The first bird was a female Northern Cardinal recapture.  She was originally banded in March.  Somehow we did not manage to take a picture of her.

Zebra Heliconia

We were watching the many Zebra Heliconia at the Firebush when Crystal noticed a bird.  She said she thought it was a Brown Thrasher.  Major excitement ensued as we had never documented one on the property in the last year.  We located the bird and not long after it was in the net.

Brown Thrasher

Photo by Jane Wiewora

This great event welcomed new volunteer Jane Wiewora to the banding team.  I had just mentioned to Jane that we had yet to have Brown Thrasher or Carolina Wrens on the property.  The bird had major molting going on.  A Brown Thrasher is a fairly large bird and because it spends a lot of time scratching on the ground, in the leaf litter, it has large legs.

Brown Thrasher

Photo by Crystal Conway

You can see the uneven tail in this overall shot of the thrasher and also in the back view.

Brown Thrasher

Photo by Crystal Conway

Two other species on the property were noteworthy.  We had a Gray Catbird like last week, likely the same bird.  We also had a Great Crested Flycatcher which we had not had on the property in the last few visits.  No way to tell if this one had been there all along or was one moving through.

Next we caught a male Northern Cardinal that was also heavily molting.  After a few major nips from the bird we got a band on it, took our data, and got photos of his newly emerging head feathers.

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Nancy Price

You can see how skimpy his crest is and the darker (unfaded) red feathers coming in around the black face. You can also see a few white sheaths that cover new feathers in the black feathers just below his bill.

I am thankful that my volunteers are such good photographers so we can share what is happening as we band at Possum Long.  THANK YOU!

And just because it was so packed, we have to show you the new occupants of one of the Wood Duck boxes!

Bee covered Wood Duck box

Next banding session will be August 20 with nets going up at 6:30 am.  Hope to see you there.