May 12 and 14, 2017 - Three of a Kind - a winning hand!

Following the success of last week, we decided to try an extra session on Friday.  There were a few remnant (hungry?) warblers around.  We saw Blackpoll Warblers and caught 2 American Redstarts and a Northern Waterthrush.  This has certainly been more redstarts and waterthrushes than ever before.

Northern Waterthrush

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Sunday, although it was Mother's Day, we were thinking of banding.  The forecast was for a little bit of rain in the early morning and then winds from the west.  Usually one needs these winds overnight but we decided to at least listen at the property.  There seemed to be a lot of redstarts present so we set up a few nets.  First capture was another Northern Waterthrush.  Then came the redstarts.  Then another big surprise - our second ever Connecticut Warbler.  

Connecticut Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Birds were present, we saw a Cape May Warbler.  Then we caught ANOTHER Connecticut Warbler. If you read the entry from May 7 you know how unbelievable this really was.

Connecticut Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

Not long after, the third Connecticut Warbler.  Stunningly shocked!  It was a very well marked male.

Connecticut Warbler

Connecticut Warbler

Photo by Bill LaFramboise

We ended up with two Great Crested Flycatchers who likely have finished with their nesting.

Great Crested Flycatcher

In total we banded 5 American Redstarts, 1 Northern Waterthrush, 2 Black-throated Blue Warblers, 2 Common Yellowthroats, 3 Connecticut Warblers, and 2 Great Crested Flycatchers.  An awesome day.

American Redstart

After second year male

Common Yellowthroat female

The next session at Possum Long will be on May 16.  Nets go up at 6:15.  There may be a few lingering migrants.  Bring bug spray if you are bothered but keep in mind it is not good for the nets or the birds.

March 24, 25, 27, 28, and 29, 2017

It's that time of year.  The Painted Buntings are leaving and have already been seen in South Carolina and likely all over their breeding areas.  Not to worry, some are still here.  Feeder keepers may notice a decline (your winter resident birds leaving) and then another increase (birds moving through). Feeders are very important now as birds have mapped these "gas stations" for their way home.  Those folks with banded birds will know when migrants pass through.

We had a busy time since the last post.  On March 24 we banded in LaBelle, our first time in Hendry county.  We banded 5 Painted Buntings and had incidental captures of Northern Cardinal, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Indigo Buntings.

Indigo Bunting with head molting in new feathers

Indigo Bunting - after second year male

Great Crested Flycatcher

On March 25, we presented banding as a scientific tool to a class from the Audubon of Martin County's Audubon Academy.  We only caught one new bird and had one recapture but those two were representative of all we do.  The Gray Catbird is always a great teaching bird.  The recaptured Painted Bunting gave everyone a glance at color banding and we were able to relate many things we have learned both from the Status and Distribution study at Possum Long as well as the Painted Bunting Banding Project.

On March 27, we visited a potential new host whose yard did not work for using nets.  We brought over a temporary caged feeder in hopes that we can trap there before the birds move on.

On March 28, we conducted our Possum Long banding.  We banded three new birds (Gray Catbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Northern Cardinal).  This quiet day has left us hoping that migration will pick up.  Actually migration is underway but some of the first birds through have also overwintered so it's hard to tell migrant versus visitor.  The Great Crested Flycatchers might have overwintered nearby but likely have moved in from elsewhere and they are actively starting to pair up and start the very beginning of nesting.

Northern Cardinal

Great Crested Flycatcher

On March 29, I returned to PB 69 where I banded another male and female Painted Bunting.  

Painted Bunting

Next regularly scheduled Possum Long banding:  Tuesday, April 4.  Nets go up at 6:45.

March 12, 14, and 15, 2017

On March 12, we banded at PB 10 where we finally caught the birds that were present!  The host reported only 1 unbanded green after we left.  Sometimes we are not that lucky.  We banded 10 Painted Buntings and recaptured the two that had been banded in December.  When people tell me that banding will scare their birds off I remember times like this.

We had 6 incidental bandings:  2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 2 Common Ground-Doves, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, and a Northern Parula.

Red-bellied Woodpecker (female)

On March 14, we had our regular banding session at Possum Long.  We did well with 2 Painted Buntings; one a recapture and one a new bird.  Both were green so it afforded us the perfect opportunity for a side-by-side photo.  The key feathers are where I am pointing - that bird is a female because the feathers have a green edging.  The bird on the left shows grayer feathers in the same area.  It was born last summer.

Painted Buntings

Photo by Pat Marshall

(a cropped version of the above)

We also banded a Northern Parula and a Downy Woodpecker.  Birds are moving through the property with a recent report of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo!

Northern Parula

Photo by Pete Grannis

Northern Parula

Photo by Pete Grannis

Downy Woodpecker - female

Photo by Pat Marshall

We returned to DuPuis Wildlife Area (PB 6) several times but caught the most birds on March 15. We banded 8 Painted Buntings and recaptured quite a few.  At least one male was from Season 1!!  We also banded a new Chipping Sparrow and a recaptured one from 2 years ago.  The Clay-colored Sparrow was also still present.

Many birds are using the caged feeder.  The Painted and Indigo Buntings LOVE it.  There are also Chipping Sparrows that use it and the Clay-colored was in it for a few minutes.  Also a Gray Catbird managed to squeeze in.  I don't think they eat seed very often.  

Caged feeder (plans in Encouraging Painted Buntings page on this blog)

You can see a male and a green I hope.

Next scheduled Possum Long banding:  Tuesday, March 21.  Nets go up at 7:30 am.  

September 2, 2014

Today was better than expected.  No early morning captures but we finally got a few birds.  The only migrant detected on the property today was a Red-eyed Vireo so we were happy to get three for the day. Maybe next week.  We banded 2 young Northern Cardinals.  We DID get photographs but I suspect you will all be happier when Bill Eaton returns.  (Don't cringe too much Bill.)  

Northern Cardinal HY male

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

The dark splotches on his bill and the molt we noted showed this to be born sometime this summer.

Northern Cardinal HY female

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Here's the second young bird.  It was harder to tell that this was truly a HY (hatch year) bird as the bill had lost the dark splotches more typically seen as above.  The crest on this bird and the amount of molt showed us that this bird was also born this summer.  The blue-green tones are photographic lighting effects, not the true color of the bird.

Out third and final bird was great fun - a Great Crested Flycatcher.  We frequently hear these birds but it was nice of this adult bird to visit the net.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Next banding session will be September 9, 2014.  Nets go up at 6:30 am.

PS:  I have started a new page for Season Two of Color Banding Painted Buntings.  The early birds are back and numbers should increase all this month and into October.  (see Page list in upper right hand corner.)

May 6, 2014

I don't think any of us expected a good day but today was pretty fantastic when you consider all we did.  We added 2 new birds to the property - Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and flyover Roseate Spoonbills.  After 1 1/2 years each new addition is good.  See below for photos and story.

We had good variety today with 7 species banded and a total of 10 birds.  First off we had a Swainson's Thrush.  The other species included a female Northern Cardinal - loved her crest in the sun.

Northern Cardinal

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

A Great Crested Flycatcher whose feathers were very worn.  Likely it has been brooding in a nest cavity for some time.  

Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

We banded 2 Black-throated Blue Warblers both were female.  Crystal managed to get a shot showing the new band after the bird was released.

Black-thoated Blue Warbler

Photo by Crystal Conway

The remaining birds we caught were 1 Common Yellowthroat, 3 American Redstarts, and 1 Blue Jay.  I think the Blue Jay has the story no one will believe.  Like last week, there were newly fledged Blue Jays on the property.  One decided to rest on the edge of the birdbath.  I slowly walked up to it and it was resting with its eyes closed.  I reached out in appropriate bander's grip and just picked it up and could not believe it had not flown away.  I think we were all startled.  After the fact we decided it was much less traumatic for it than being caught in the net.  

Blue Jay

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Its feathers were still in sheath like last week's bird and you can see the fleshy gape at the corner of its mouth typical of a newly fledged bird.  Also in the next photo you can see the wing bones equivalent to our forearm radius and ulna (green arrow).

HY Blue Jay wing

Photo by Jane Wiewora

Then there's the story of the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (BBWD).  First recorded on the property today, we saw one perched in the pine tree.  Also in this tree was the pair of Wood Ducks that was nesting in a nearby box (arrows).  

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Black-bellied Whistling Duck and Wood Ducks

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

Nancy Price said that it could be possible that when the Wood Ducks were done, the BBWDs would use the box.  Well, they didn't wait.  To be determined is whose young will survive.  Did the BBWD add an egg for the Wood Ducks to brood?

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at Wood Duck nest box

Photo by Nancy LaFramboise

I am really thankful for all of the help I have had over the past few months.  Nancy Price and Jane Wiewora are at the majority (if not all) of the banding sessions for both Possum Long and Painted Buntings. This project would not still be going without their dedication.  Continued support by the rest of the team with photography, data collection, net placement, driving, and great company has been fantastic.  I hope I can name everyone:  Bill Eaton, Jim Closs, Crystal Conway, Fran Stewart, Georgia Binderow, Pat Marshall, Linda Wishney, Marko Sillanpaa, and Hart Ruffe.  Many more folks have come for a session or two or just to visit.  I am thankful for everyone and enjoy sharing these banding experiences.  I thank our readers who are soon to put us over 5000 hits on this blog.  THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Unless the weather changes and drops a few late migrants, we are done for the season.  Likely we will be starting again in early August.  Watch this blog for updates or make sure I have your email so you get the starting information.

May 14, 2013

And the season is winding down....summer resident birds are nesting or soon to fledge.  The tail end of migrants are passing through.  The grounds were quieter this morning but we still managed to catch a few birds.

First up was a female Black-throated Blue Warbler.  BT Blues (to make it easier to type!) are told by the small white patch at the base of the primaries (outer flight feathers).

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Photo by Nancy Price

When the wing is spread you can see how individual white markings make up the patch.  The size of this patch indicates that this bird was born last summer (second-year bird).

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Photo by Nancy Price

Next we caught another female BT Blue and a female American Redstart.  We watched a lot of birds on the property and wondered why none had made their way into the nets.  Sometimes the birds are high fliers and go right over.  Sometimes they are escape artists like a Northern Cardinal that flew into and right back out of a net.  And sometimes we get a whole bunch.  Today our bunch was a third BT Blue and TWO Great Crested Flycatchers all in one net.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Linda Wishney

Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Crystal Conway

We were able to determine that the first one we processed was a male because the wing was longer than the measurements for a female.  The second one was in mid-range for either male or female.  We could tell that the birds were adults by the shape of the outer tail feather.  

Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Linda Wishney

Next banding will be May 21.

April 2, 2013

On the Edge of Migration (or so we hope)

Migration in Florida is very weather dependent.  Clear skies mean that birds keep flying.  Our weather has been clear and quite warm.  April is the key month in spring; birds are quickly making their way north.  We can't be sure of having birds on the property but hopefully migration is soon to produce.

I've had a wish to band some of the Great Crested Flycatchers that have come to Possum Long to breed.  Last year they used a Wood Duck box for their cavity.  It appears that they are doing so again.

Great Crested Flycatcher

After we banded two Gray Catbirds we had a Prairie Warbler in the net in the butterfly garden.  Though fairly out in the open, this net has been productive.

Prairie Warbler

Photo by Bev Poppke

Prairie Warbler

Photo by Nancy Price

We had another visitor to the butterfly garden today.  As soon as it saw me it decided to move on.  Barely had time to catch a picture.

Great Egret 

I was lamenting that the Great Cresteds were up so high that we would probably not catch one.  While near the trail net, Marko played the song on his phone to see what it sounded like and one hit the net.  When he told me we had one, I told him April Fool's was yesterday!  But it was true!

Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Nancy Price

Flycatchers and other insect-eating birds (like the previous Chuck-will's-widow) have bristles near their bill that help detect flying insect prey.  When these are touched, the bill snaps.  I was surprised at how strong the feet were on this bird.  Other flycatchers I have banded had relatively small, weak feet.

Great Crested Flycatcher showing rictal bristles

Photo by Crystal Conway

Showing Fran and Marko the Great Crested Flycatcher

Photo by Linda Wishney

When we have the bird in hand, the undertail coverts on a Gray Catbird are a surprise to some folks as the feathers are rust colored.  One Gray Catbird we caught had quite a bit of body molt (feathers that are growing in and are covered with a sheath).  In addition to some of the gray body feathers, some of the undertail coverts were growing in too. 

Gray Catbird

Photo by Nancy Price

I am always grateful to all of the volunteers who work hard on this project.  Many thanks to you.  Extra thanks today go to Linda Wishney who brought coffee and doughnuts!  

Next banding:  April 9, 2013