Field Journal Assignment #5

03/24/2023, 3:44 pm- 5:00 pm, Causeway Park, sunny and high 30's, water and wooded area

I went birding with my friend Mari, a fellow bird enthusiast. We began our trip walking around the wooded path to get to the start of the causeway. We first did not hear any birds but after a few moments heard a loud chorus of birds. I recognized the sound of the European Starling and also heard some other bird calls. As we continued walking, we realized that the sound was coming from a large tree in the distance filled with European Starlings and Red-winged Blackbirds. The merlin bird app also picked up on a sound ID of Common Grackle but we did not see any with our binoculars/camera. We then continued walking and saw a Blue Jay in the brush by us and Mari was able to snap a great photo. At the very start of the causeway, we heard the very clear sound of a Northern Cardinal but were unable to see it.

At the start of the causeway, by the shore, we could immediately see waterfowl. A male and female Mallard were both present and also two Canada Geese. When walking further from the shore along the causeway two groups of ducks were visible. One group of 5 Buffleheads and one group of several Buffleheads and a few Common Goldeneyes. The second group was difficult to photograph but visible through binoculars. As we continued down the causeway there seemed to be no birds present so we turned around. On the way back toward the wooded path, we were able to photograph a bird flying, which we thought was a hawk. However, when looking through the photos later I was able to identify the bird as a juvenile Bald Eagle.

When returning to the wooded part of the path, I heard a Tufted Titmouse but could not see it. I then heard a White-breasted Nuthatch and was able to spot it on a tree nearby. Another White-breasted Nuthatch could also be heard in the distance. We also heard a Northern Cardinal close by and eventually were able to spot a male on a tree off the path. I then played a Northern Cardinal call and he flew closer, allowing us to photograph him.

On the way back to the car, on the wooded path, we once again saw the tree full of Red-winged Blackbirds and European Starlings. Merling bird-id also picked up on a Brown-headed Cowbird, which is uncommon in the area, but we did not see any.

Prompt: Some of the resident species I observed while birding include: Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch. These species may choose not to migrate because there are food sources available for them here during the winter. One physiological thing that these resident species may do to stay in the winter is go through facultative hypothermia at night. Some birds, such as Titmice, do this to save energy overnight. Behaviorally, resident species may change their diets to available food and find warmer places to roost at night in the winter. For example, Nuthatches often roost in unoccupied woodpecker holes overnight. One facultative migratory species that I saw while birding is the Red-winged Blackbird. They typically arrive in Vermont in early March. The Red-winged Blackbirds that migrate can migrate about 800 miles from their breeding areas. So the ones I saw were most likely arriving from Massachusets or Connecticut. This species eats insects and summer seeds, which are scarce in the winter. This is why they tend to migrate but return to breed in the spring. The males arrive first to find territory to attract females. Arriving early has disadvantages because there can be scarce food the males are able to find better territory to attract females by arriving early.

Mini-activity: Red-winged Blackbird: 800 miles
Mallard: 730 miles
Canada Goose: 2,000 miles
Bufflehead: 300 miles
Common Goldeneye: 300 miles

Total: 4,130 miles

Publicado el 26 de marzo de 2023 a las 12:07 AM por lhughes1953