Field Journal 8: Reproductive Ecology and Evolution

Field Journal 8

2 May 2023

10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Delta Park, Colchester VT 05446
Weather: 50 degrees, raining
Habitat: Silver Maple Floodplain Forest, Willow Beach

Observed Species:

• Canada Goose: 2
• European Starling: 17
• American Robin: 2
• Black-capped Chickadee: 11
• Red-winged Blackbird: 12
• Great Egret: 3
• Common Raven: 1
• White-throated Sparrow: 1
• Song Sparrow: 2
• Common Grackle: 2

For my final bird journal, I chose to survey Delta Park, as I had been told of the variety of species that could be found at the location during migration seasons. On the rainy day I arrived, I was greeted to a many birds, but not the richness I was expecting. Pulling into the parking lot, I saw a mating pair of Canada Geese standing on fencing. I dared not get too close, as if the pair had chosen the area for a nest, I might have found myself running from some very defensive parents. As I approached the park, I saw Black-capped Chickadee and Common Grackle exhibiting flocking behavior. I wonder if this could have been a result of the rain, or if this is normal for this time of year.

Entering the flooded park, I was met will significantly fewer species. Aside from the occasional egret flying overhead, only Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles were found. The blackbirds sang from all angles, looking for mates or defending nesting territory. I didn't see any female Red-winged Blackbirds, so nesting may have been the situation here. The park was filled with piles of driftwood, small poles of boxelders, and, in unwadable reaches, reeds. The reeds are an ideal place for a Red-winged Blackbird's nest, as they prefer low-to-the-ground vegetation near water. The wet, decaying wood also makes for great nest-building material.

הועלה ב-מאי 15, 2023 01:47 לפנה"צ על ידי angelo_trev