Diario de kaglenn

Today, I went on a little birding excursion from 11:30am-12:30pm near my home in southern New Hampshire. It was a cloudy, quiet and cool day of 46˚ Fahrenheit.

Of the species I observed, the year round species were 20 black-capped chickadees, and 3 white-breasted nuthatches. They may chose to forgo migration because they still have food such as seeds or nuts around that can sustain them through the winter. It also maybe more productive for these birds to save their energy for foraging, caring for young and defending their territories in the winter. These birds may have physiological advantages over migrant birds such as a molt that allows them to grow another layer of down feathers to keep warm during the winter. The behavioral adaptations of non migrant birds that I observed were having dominant and bold personalities that helped them go outside their comfort zones in search of resources, and the ability to work with other bird species when foraging.

Short and long migrating species I observed were the 4 red-breasted nuthatches, 6 mourning doves, 1 American goldfinch and either a warbling vireo or a ruby-crowned kinglet (I am not quite sure). American Goldfinches, mourning doves and red-breasted nuthatches do not always migrate south and may stay year round in the north if their food supply is secure and the temperature does not drop too low. Warbling vireos migrate from the southern U.S. and Mexico to the Northern U.S. and along the Canadian border to their breeding grounds over a 2000 mile + journey. A reason warbling vireos migrate south for the winter is because their food sources are berries and insects, which are not as abundant in the north during winter. They return to the North to breed during the spring and summer months because the area is optimal territory for nesting and foraging, there is dense vegetation and abundant resources. If the bird I saw was not a warbling vireo and in fact a ruby-crowned kinglet, then my town in New Hampshire is most likely a pit stop before returning to their breeding grounds farther north to Canada (a 1200 mile + journey), since it is uncommon for this species to breed in southern New Hampshire. These birds migrate because they do not have the adaptations nor the diet to withstand northern winters. Often migrant birds have diets that consist of fruits and insects, which become scarce in winter, and they are not as competitive as the year round birds. In order for migration to be effective, the species survival must offset their mortality. The same logic applies for birds that do not migrate. Some of these migrant birds may find early April in New Hampshire to be a challenge, since there is little food like insects and fruits yet around and the temperature here still being quite cold.

This morning, from 11 am to 12:30 pm, there was a lively scene of birds around my home. I observed these birds in the open clearings and thick forests in my area. It was a lovely sunny spring day in Dublin, New Hampshire and the temperature was 43˚ Fahrenheit.

I saw a total of approximately 25 black-capped chickadees, 1 white-breasted nuthatch, 4 mourning doves, 3 American Goldfinches, and 4 tufted titmice.

Today's bird observations were taken in Dublin, New Hampshire from 2:00-3:30, and the temperature was around 37˚F. It was partly cloudy day. The birds were observed in the clearings, edge woods and thick forests of conifers around my home.

I saw 1 Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, 2 Tufted-Titmouse, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Blue Jay, 1 Mourning Dove, 18 Black-capped Chickadee.

The behaviors related to mate selection that I have seen were the mourning doves feeding in pairs and doing acts of courtship. In past weeks, I have observed the pairs of morning doves being territorial towards other pairs around feeding areas and chasing them off. There are many shrubs around that could serve as a nesting place, but I would expect the mourning doves to probably nest in the pine trees far out of reach from the dogs and predators around since they tend to be very timid.

The black-capped chickadees, were very competitive towards each other and would chase off rivals from the feeding areas. Since black-capped chickadees are so competitive, they most likely nest in pine trees near to the food resources and in nearby snags. I heard many male chickadees around singing their song "hey sweetie" , to declare their territory to females and rivals. This specific chickadee was defending a particularly prime territory since it was in a tree very close to one of the bird feeders. All the birds that have territory nearby including this male black-capped chickadee, are defending prime area because there is plenty of shelter in the trees, shrubs and other thick vegetation and plenty of bird feeders all around. There will also be wild blueberry and raspberry bushes blooming that will cause the territory to become even more prime. The birds with prime territory most likely have a higher fitness, and the females will definitely see it as an indication of their high fitness, good genetics and what they can provide for quality nesting ground. Being able to defend prime territory on its own, is an impressive feat when there is so much competition and this indicates the male's strength and dominance.

Ruby crowned-kinglets may use nesting materials such as grass, their own feathers, mosses and small twigs. They could find grass in the clearings on the edge of the woods. Mosses, twigs and other plant materials could be found on the forest floors.