April 7, 2020 Field Journal 5

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.

Publicado el miércoles, 15 de abril de 2020 a las 08:44 PM por simonbradley simonbradley

Observaciones

Fotos / Sonidos

No hay fotos o sonidos

Qué

Gorrión Cantor (Melospiza melodia)

Autor

simonbradley

Fecha

Abril 7, 2020

Descripción

Lots of Song Sparrows (at least 6) were scene and were active in their songs. Most all were seen individual although one pair was spotted.

Fotos / Sonidos

No hay fotos o sonidos

Qué

Cuervo Norteamericano (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Autor

simonbradley

Fecha

Abril 7, 2020

Descripción

Crows are plentiful in the area. About 10 were counted and others were heard East of the oberservation location.

Fotos / Sonidos

No hay fotos o sonidos

Qué

Carbonero de Capucha Negra (Poecile atricapillus)

Autor

simonbradley

Fecha

Abril 7, 2020

Descripción

5 Black-capped Chickadees were observed. Less active in terms of song/call than in previous observations.

Fotos / Sonidos

No hay fotos o sonidos

Qué

Chorlo Tildío (Charadrius vociferus)

Autor

simonbradley

Fecha

Abril 7, 2020

Descripción

3 Killdeer. All were on the ground and went unnoticed unless they were approached.

Fotos / Sonidos

No hay fotos o sonidos

Qué

Mirlo Primavera (Turdus migratorius)

Autor

simonbradley

Fecha

Abril 7, 2020

Descripción

12 American Robins were spotted, all on the forest floor.

Fotos / Sonidos

Qué

Pinzones (Género Haemorhous)

Autor

simonbradley

Fecha

Abril 7, 2020

Descripción

One House Finch was seen but based on the direction and repetitiveness of song there were several more in the direct vicinity.

Fotos / Sonidos

No hay fotos o sonidos

Qué

Zanate Norteño (Quiscalus quiscula)

Autor

simonbradley

Fecha

Abril 7, 2020

Descripción

I was unable to spot it, but there was one very loud grackle near by. I tried looking but couldn't find it although it made its presence known.

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