September 26, 2017 Opening day was hot!

Yes, opening day was hot both in terms of weather and birds.  Thankfully the thunderstorm skirted our area.  We banded a total of 20 birds (11 species).  Some ever faithful volunteers as well as some new ones were there and kept very busy.  My thanks to all of you.

We started off with a bang as our first bird was a Swainson's Warbler our fifth ever.  We really didn't expect to catch a second one later in the day!

Swainson's Warbler

After that we had a few more typical species a Northern Cardinal and our first of the season Gray Catbird. Many birds including the catbird had fat which means they still have reserves to go farther.

 Northern Cardinal

Gray Catbird

After these birds more kept coming.  We banded 1 male Painted Bunting (first one of Season 5!), 2 American Redstarts, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 3 Black-and-white Warblers, a Common Yellowthroat, a White-eyed Vireo, 6 Ovenbirds, and what I consider the bird of the day.  I do think others may disagree but it was pretty good in my opinion.

Common Yellowthroat

Ovenbird

Black-and-white Warbler

Painted Bunting

Black-throated Blue Warbler

American Redstart

There were a few other migrants present on the property today including Red-eyed Vireos, a Scarlet Tanager, and Northern Parulas.  

So what I consider the bird of the day I had only banded one other of this species before and have seen under 10 of these in Florida!  We had a Chestnut-sided Warbler today.  The unique yellow-green color and chestnut sides were exciting to see up close.

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Photo by Robin Potvin

Quite the opening day.  Things should continue to be busy (we hope) for the next few weeks.  The next session will be on October 3.  Nets go up around 7 am.  

September 30, 2014

We have been very fortunate managing to band despite the rain in the last few weeks.  I think the amount of rain has resulted in a few more birds being around a bit longer.  More on that as we go on.

We banded on Monday and Tuesday this week.  Both days kept us running.  We banded 13 on Monday and 9 on Tuesday.  Tuesday also had many recaptures due to heavy rain yesterday that likely kept birds from flying on last night.  In addition they may have remained just in order to eat to build up more fat stores. Some birds were well stocked while others had virtually no fat on board.

Monday we caught a lot of Ovenbirds (6) and Black-throated Blue Warblers (4).  Most of the Ovenbirds were adults.  This Black-throated Blue Warbler was born this summer.  We tell this by the few white feathers still showing in the black throat.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (male)

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Black-throated Blue Warbler (male)

Photo by Nancy Price

Two others were American Redstarts.  One loved us so much it was reluctant to leave after weighing! (It was not being held back).

American Redstart

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

American Redstart

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

So saving the best for last, we banded our first Chestnut-sided Warbler.  This one was a first-year male. This bird is obviously not named for its fall plumage.  There was a very small tinge of chestnut on its sides but that may not be quite visible in this photo.  

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

We also recaptured a Worm-eating Warbler that we banded two weeks ago.  At that time it had very little fat; upon recapture it was full and looked ready to move on.  

Tuesday brought the return of the Ovenbirds.  Of the 6 we banded on Monday we recaptured 4 of them. We recaptured a Northern Cardinal that was banded a few weeks ago.  It was born this summer and is almost finished molting in its fresh plumage.  You can still see some symmetric molt on the tail and one of the wing feathers growing in (see the gap?).  

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Georgia Binderow

We also recaptured a bird from last August.  Typically we never see Brown Thrashers on the property.  Last year in August I had just said that when one made it into the net.  Today we recaptured that bird.  Last year the bird was still molting; this time its plumage was quite fresh.  

Brown Thrasher

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

One of the new Ovenbirds from today was born this past summer.  We tell this by the lighter tips on some of the wing feathers.  

Ovenbird

Photo by Georgia Binderow

We also captured a Worm-eating Warbler today.  You might call this revenge of the birds.  I'm glad it wasn't the cardinal!!

Worm-eating Warbler (Bander-eating Warbler)

Photo by Georgia Binderow

The next few weeks should also be productive.

Next scheduled session Tuesday, October 7. 2014.  Nets open at 6:45.  Hope to see you!