Migration patterns based out of Massachusetts conservation land.

I took recordings of a couple of other species of birds but could not ID then so they're not here sadly.
Time: 4:30-5:30pm
Date: 4/6
Location: Conservation land, Stow MA
Weather: 60 and sunny with sparse clouds -> cool breeze coming through
Habitat: On edge of marsh in conversation land and on private property on edge of the conservation land.

There are many ways that birds are able to forego migration, birds like chickdees are able to do so by eating seeds and living near humans and picking from their feeders. Birds like the Great Blue heron, survive by finding places where they can hunt fish or toads, and when that become inaccessable they turn to hunting land animals. Many of these species are currently changing from their wintering morphs into their breeding morphs as the weather warms. The way they choose to feed throughout the year changes throughout the year, changing the way they behave. The ability to change these behaviors allow them to fill the niches of the birds that have left for migration.

The chipping sparrow is a breeding migrant to the area in Mass, it probably came from the southern US or Mexico. Their breeding area extends from the mid-US area all the way to Alaska. The bird I saw could either just be stopping by to refuel or remaining here for the breeding season. It is rather early I think, possibly because of how warm it has been recently and the increasing length of days. It gains some advantage to being here before later migrants as it has its choice of nesting spots and access to feed stores early on.

Mini activity: The Chipping Sparrow would have to fly ~3600miles if it was wintering near Mexico City to arrive here in Massachusetts.
The other birds I saw are birds that winter here.

Publicado el 09 de abril de 2020 a las 03:00 AM por