Diario de simonbradley

Date: April 7, 2020
Time: 12:15pm - 1:50pm
Location: Calias, Vermont
Weather: 48 degrees, partially cloudy with little to no wind
Habitat: Spruce outcropping, mostly White and Red Spruce with some Striped Maple. Also to note that there is a vernal pool close by.

Species Observed:
6 Song Sparrow
10 American Crow
5 Black-capped Chickadee
3 Killdeer
12 American Robin
1 (at least) House Finch
1 Common Grackle

On my property, there are three distinct habitats (or maybe more apropos, areas with predominate tree species). The three are Sugar Maple, White and Yellow Birch, and White Spruce with Striped Maple throughout. These observations were taken in the Spruce section of my woods. As soon as I stepped outside the House Finch could be heard and was active for the duration of my time observing. Song sparrows were also very vocal and were seen mostly alone, but sometimes in pairs. What I believe is a Common Grackle (although I have trouble distinguish its call from that of the European Starling so I'm not positive) was very loud but I could not identify its location.

Black-capped Chickadees were also seen, but it is to note that there were not as many as previous trips even after spishing. This may be due to how far into the woods I went as they are more plentiful on the boundaries of my woods. Black-capped Chickadees are an example of year-round residents in Vermont as they do not migrate during the winter months. This is due to efficiency as well as the availability of resources. The Black-capped Chickadee is small and migration requires a lot of energy, something this species can not afford to waste. Black-capped Chickadees are able to change their diets during winter months to consist of fewer insects and more plant material like seeds showing their adaptability to cooling weather.

Song Sparrows are considered facultative migrants as some (especially towards the more Southern region of their breeding habitats) choose not to migrate. Assuming the Song Sparrows seen have migrated back North for the breeding season, it can be assumed that the Song Sparrows in Vermont are coming from the Southern States, the closest being the North Carolina and the farthest being most of Florida (excluding the South Eastern tip which has little to no forested land).

Mini Activity: Using the information regarding the Song Sparrow above, the rough range migratory range of this species can be calculated. Assuming that the Song Sparrows observed had traveled the maximum distance in the most North-South direction possible, it is roughly 2,248.31 km (1,394.04 miles) from my house to the Everglades National Park. For the shortest possible distance, my house to the Northeastern tip of North Carolina, it was calculated to be roughly 929.85 km (577.78 miles). The average of the shortest and longest theoretical distance is 985.91 miles (landing near the Southernmost part of South Carolina) with a range of 816.26 miles.

Date: April 15th, 2020
Time: 12:05 PM - 2 PM
Location: Calais, Vermont
Weather: 40 degrees, sunny, very windy
Habitat: White and Yellow Birch grove/vernal pool

Species:
2 American Robin
8 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Common Grackle
3 Mallard (1 Male, 2 Female)
1 Red-tailed Hawk

Today was lack lustering in terms of birding. The wind was very strong making it difficult to record bird songs and calls as well as determine the general location of where they were coming from. I was located in a White and Yellow Birch grove (predominately White Birch) that has one of many vernal pools near my house. This is also the confirmed location of a Ruffed Grouse perch (my uncle who is a forester has come across a male drumming in this location several times) although none were observed today. Spishing once again proved successful, although only Black-capped Chickadees seemed receptive; no other species seemed to mob. 3 Mallards were seen flying overhead on the walk back. One was clearly male based on the distinct head plumage and at least one of the mothers was an adult female. It was hard to tell if the third was a juvenile or not, but based on the relative size to the others I would guess it was another female. Once again, the Red-tailed Hawk was seen while out in the field flying in a South Eastern direction. I have seen with Hawk on numerous occasions and believe its nest is nearby.

Date: April 22, 2020
Time: 7:45 - 9:30 am
Location: Calais, Vermont
Weather: 25 degrees Fahrenheit, heavy snow, strong Northwestern wind
Habitat: a small pond with Sugar Maple dominate woodland on either side. Open woodland around the pond and the connecting creek.

Species:
1 Blue Jay
3 Blue-headed Vireo (2 male, 1 female)
Wild Turkey (not sure as to how many)
1 American Robin
2 Wood Duck (1 male, 1 female)

Today I traveled Southeast from my property to a small pond downhill from the ridge I often make my observations. Unfortunately, it was snowing much more than I had anticipated and the wind made it extremely difficult to see and hear the birds. Whereas mornings here are often quite noisy (my inspiration for getting up earlier than usual to go birding) this morning was quite. In fact, the only species I was able to hear was what I believe to be a flock of Wild Turkeys (if it was not a whole flock, there were at least several close by as they were very loud).

Down at the pond, the only birds I saw were two Wood Ducks. One was clearly male (based on the colorful plumage) and the other was most likely the female. There are several dead trees right on the edge of the pond that I expected to see woodpeckers at, but after seeing the Wood Ducks I believe these may be potential nesting sites for them. I was surprised to see how seemingly uninterested in the other each of them seemed (they did not float around together although they occasionally would pass close to each other). I was expecting to see more, perhaps some form of special call or dance performed by the male as a way to attract the female. After returning home, I did some research and learned that Wood Ducks often pair in late Winter and mate in early Spring. Based on this information, I believe these two ducks have already mated and nested in one of the dead trees noted before. I know Wood Ducks have claws allowing them to nest in places most ducks can't such as treestands bordering a body of water. I will return on a less snowy day to investigate further. In terms of prime or poor territory, I would classify this as prime; although the pond is small, there is plenty of fish. The surrounding land is often also very moist, nearly a wetland, and the air remains humid in late Spring and throughout summer providing ample insects in the area, perfect for a Wood Duck.

On way down the ridge before reaching the pond, another potential since of mating was seen. In a small poplar tree, I saw two Blue-headed Vireo darting at each other in what appeared to be some sort of fight. I decided to stay and watch and because I did I was able to notice a third, smaller Blue-headed Vireo in a neighboring tree (I believe its a Black Cherry but I'm not sure). I never realized how silly songbirds look as they are fighting; I would almost describe it as a dance. It seemed as though they were playing, taking turns flying out from the tree and quickly back to it. I looked into the mating/nesting process of Blue-headed Vireo which confirmed my suspicions: this was most likely two males fighting over territory as a female watched from the sidelines. What was more interesting though was learning what happens after the fight is over and mating begins. As part of the mating ritual, the male Blue-headed Vireo will make a 'courtship nest' which is not a real nest but a show as to how great the male is at collecting resources. This is then abandoned after so the real nest can be made. The nest is made of twigs, grass, bark, and other various pieces of plant debris. Based on this I would say this is great territory for the Vireo: near the edge of dense woodland bordering an open pasture meaning it would not have to travel far at all to get the material needed for its nest.