Burlington Urban Reserve-Migration Entry #4

My next birding experience took place at Burlington's Urban Reserve. It took place on Sunday April 7th from 3 pm until about 4:50. It was warm out but overcast and was around 51 degrees. There was a decent amount of wind which could have contributed to the scarcity of birds that I saw despite the warm weather. I assumed that I would have seen more, since there are usually many species down there.
Before I entered the wooded area, I noticed and heard a huge flock of about 10-11 crows flying around, they were all calling very loudly. Crows can be resident species in Vermont but also can have short migratory routes as well. This could explain why I have been seeing many flocks on American Crows these past two weeks. They could have just migrated back to the area from a nearby warmer climate.
Soon after that and throughout my walk through the reserve I noticed three black-capped chickadees. All three were alone spread throughout different trees, and they were definitely not in migration considering they are a resident species and are here year round. Black-capped chickadees have adapted to be able to change their foraging behavior and diet throughout the seasons and can even store food. This makes it so they are not forced to migrate to warmer climates and instead can forage for foods such as seeds instead of living things like bugs. Another important adaptation that helps them stay in Vermont year round is their ability to undergo facultative hypothermia when necessary.
One species I have been noticing a lot more around Burlington is the Cedar Waxwing, a species which is migratory to Vermont and not a resident species. I happened to see a flock of about 8-10 two seperate times during my walk. They prefer warmer climates and are migrating back around this time of year after a long winter that is hopefully over. They could have migrated as far as Mexico. Another bird that I have been seeing in flocks often this month is the Canada Goose. They have been flying in a distinct V-shape overhead which could mean they are also returning from a migration south. I have also been seeing many more gulls out and about(Ring-billed and Herring).
After doing the Mini Activity, I was very impressed with how far some birds travel for their migratory routes. I found out that the Cedar Waxwings I saw could have traveled over 3,600 miles to get here! If the Canada Goose flock traveled South for their migration, they could have traveled almost 1,500 miles to get here, possibly as far as Alabama.

Publicado el lunes, 08 de abril de 2019 a las 07:15 PM por kyaurora kyaurora

Observaciones

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Carbonero de Capucha Negra (Poecile atricapillus)

Autor

kyaurora

Fecha

Abril 7, 2019

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Chinito (Bombycilla cedrorum)

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kyaurora

Fecha

Abril 7, 2019

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Ganso Canadiense Mayor (Branta canadensis)

Autor

kyaurora

Fecha

Abril 7, 2019

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Cuervo Norteamericano (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

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kyaurora

Fecha

Abril 7, 2019

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Gaviota Pico Anillado (Larus delawarensis)

Autor

kyaurora

Fecha

Abril 7, 2019

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