Tomoka Bird Banding Station

 Tomoka Bird Banding Station, located on a spoil island within Tomoka State Park, has been in operation since October 2004.  Tomoka State Park is located on North Beach Street between the Halifax and Tomoka Rivers in Ormond Beach, Florida.  The days and hours vary but are much more frequent during Fall and Spring migrations.  VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME 

Please Contact Meret Wilson at tomokabbs@gmail.com for days and hours of operation.  Meret is a Federal, State and locally licensed bander.  She is holding a recently banded Northern Cardinal at the right.

See map for directions to Tomoka Bird Banding Station.


Activities:  October 30 - November 5, 2011

Yep, migration for most of the migrants is over.  Hopefully they have made their journeys to wherever safely.  And now we are looking to the yellowrumps, Blue-headed Vireos, Black and White Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Orange-crowned Warblers, Gray Catbirds, all those birds that are known to overwinter in Florida.  That is what we are looking forward to. 

So, turns out I have only banded a total of 6 birds this week and recaptured 1.  How sad is that!  Although, they were good birds.  Now I will turn my attention to the yellowrumps as I gather data for my research paper regarding a molt pattern not before mentioned in the literature.  And the yellowrumps (Myrtle Warblers) are starting to come in, like clockwork, into the park every morning right around 7:45.

On Sunday morning, the 30th, we were birding a lot since we weren't catching anything and found over head a Cape May Warbler and a Black-throated Green Warbler.  This was my first ever in Florida sighting of the Green.  And that really was thanks to Bill who kept saying what a lovely yellow head this bird had and I kept saying that Cape Mays don't have bright yellow heads.  Once we got on the same page as to what bird we were each looking at, there it was, the Black-throated Green.  There was a Blue-headed Vireo up with them.  I have been impressed with the birds we are seeing in Tomoka State Park this fall.  I just wish they were lower to the ground where the nets are! 

As you can see by the photos, it was so slow I was willing to let myself be bitten by the cardinals to show the folks at the banding table why I normally don't hold them in the bander's grip for their photos!  Not much harm done.

Meret Wilson, Lead Bander
 Tomoka Basin Banding Station

BIRDS FOR OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 5, 2011

 
SPECIES NEW RECAPTURE

Black-throated Blue Warbler

 1  

Swainson's Thrush

 1  

Northern Cardinal

 2  

Magnolia Warbler

 1  

Myrtle Warbler

 2  

Carolina Wren

   1
Total 7 1

Click the link to see banding statistics for Fall 2011
 
Swainson's Thrush Carolina Wren - notice pattern on back
A biting Northern Cardinal A better way to keep him occupied
And the female is no nicer! Last Magnolia Warbler for this fall
Top side of Magnolia Warbler First Myrtle Warbler of fall season
 
Black-throated Blue Warbler female  

 

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