ארכיון יומן של מרץ 2023

מרץ 4, 2023

Field Journal#3

Date: 3/2/2023
Start Time: 1:50pm
End Time: 2:30pm
Location: Derway Island Nature Preserve
Weather: 36˚F, snow, NNW 10mph
Habitat(s): deciduous forest, waterfront
Field Journal#3
On Thursday, I visited the Derway Island Nature Preserve to see a diverse array of species. The Nature Preserve is located by the Winooski River and the Burlington Wastewater Plant, providing many types of habitats within one area. Initially, I went deeper into the deciduous forest because I thought I would be able to see more species there. I was surprised to find that the majority of visible species were actually on the edges of the preserve. There were Ring-billed Gulls soaring in circles around the water treatment facility. In the neighboring trees, the calls of Black-capped Chickadees could be heard. Along the water was where the greatest diversity of bird species was. Tufted Titmouses could be seen and heard throughout the trees and occasionally soaring over the river. Black-capped Chickadees also resided in the trees. In the water was a flock of Canada Gooses, and in the air were a few American Crows.
There were noticeable changes in behavior and species diversity from my previous visits. While Tufted Titmouses generally exist in pairs, in the winter they form small flocks. This was apparent in the trees, as there were many Tufted Titmouses. Canada Geese, as well as other waterfowl, have many adaptations that help them survive winter. They have a thick coat of down feathers that they use for insulation. Additionally, Canada Geese have a counter blood circulation system which regulates their blood temperature throughout their body, preventing the air exposed or water exposed parts from being too cold. Canada Geese will also tuck their feet under their bodies in order to conserve body heat. Black-capped Chickadees also have a coat of down feathers during winter, allowing them to remain in their habitat and not migrate. A species that does migrate from Derway for winter is the Great Blue Herring. This species has been visible in most of my previous visits to Derway, but this visit took place when they had migrated south.
Birds in this area did not seem to reside in snags. There were no ground species, which likely contributed to this, as most of the dead trees were fallen. Snags are residents to insects that birds consume. An example of a species that would take advantage of a snag is a Pileated Woodpecker. I have seen both Pileated Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers in previous visits to Derway, but none were present during this past visit.

הועלה ב-מרץ 4, 2023 04:47 לפנה"צ על ידי lillietyroler lillietyroler | 2 תצפיות | 0 תגובות | הוספת תגובה

מרץ 25, 2023

March 18th

Date: 3/18/2023
Start time: 2:30pm
End time: 3:30pm
Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY
Weather: 53˚F, 9mph E, 37% humidity
Habitat(s): Groomed landscape, residential area, young trees

On Saturday, I went to Prospect Park in order to see a different variety of species than I typically do in Vermont. My neighborhood of Brooklyn is an especially good place to go birding because of how quiet and green it is compared to the rest of the city. Prospect Park is essentially the Brooklyn version of Central Park. It is complete with rolling hills of trees, a small lake, and a few hiking trails where birds can be more isolated. I was able to explore all these environments with left me with a long list of observations.
The observations started on my way to the park. In a tall bare tree surrounded by houses were two cardinals. The entrance of the park closest to my house goes straight to the lake, so my first stop was waterfowl. There were about three Mute Swans, dozens of Canada Geese, dozens of Mallards, and one visible Wood Duck. In a bush by the lake there were dozens og House Sparrows. After walking past the lake, I made my way to one of the nature trails, and on the way, I saw plenty more House Sparrows. On the trail in the trees resided two Mourning Doves and a few Blue Jays. After leaving the trail, I made my way back to the edge of the lake, where I saw more Canada Geese, Tufted Titmice, dozens of Common Grackles, and a Red-winged Blackbird. In trees on a hill opposite the lake were Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays. The number of them could not be identified as I could only hear their calls. On the walk back from the park on different black from the first observation, I observed a Northern Mockingbird in a shrub. It was by itself and let me approach it very closely as it was making its calls.
It was interesting to see which birds were more social and which were more isolated. The waterfowl tended to remain in a flock, with birds of all species keeping close together. The reason for this could have been that parkgoers were feeding the birds which encouraged them all to travel to the edges of the lake. The Canada Geese tended to travel completely to land and interact with humans, while the Mute Swans kept the furthest toward the center of the lake. The Northern Cardinals and Mourning Doves generally remained in pairs and were quieter. The Tufted Titmice were also in pairs but were calling to each other while they were in the tree. The Red-winged Blackbird was difficult to see at first because it was within a cluster of Common Grackles, which also appear to be primarily black. Red-winged Blackbirds seem to have the advantage of being both neutrally colored and brightly colored. The red and yellow tops of the male wings can attract females, while the rest of their body can help conceal them. This male was perched on a branch making calls. This is a diurnal species, which fits with its behavior.
There was so much human noise in Prospect Park that I do not believe the House Sparrows heard my “pshhh” calls. They could also just simply be well adjusted to humans as they live in a human area. In general, it is likely that this noise works to alter bird behavior because it imitates the sound of a predator or prey. It is also possible that this is an atypical noise and since birds are curious organisms, they will attempt to explore it in a safe way. This noise sounds a bit like a small bird call, so it is possible that the birds believe that this is a call for another species, or even from a young bird.

הועלה ב-מרץ 25, 2023 12:12 לפנה"צ על ידי lillietyroler lillietyroler | 4 תצפיות | 0 תגובות | הוספת תגובה

מרץ 30, 2023

March 29th Field Journal

Date: 3/29/23
Start Time: 3:40pm
End Time: 4:40pm
Location: East Woods Natural Area
Weather: 49˚F, 13mph NE winds, 45% humidity
Habitat(s): Wintering old growth forest near busy road

Earlier today I went birding in East Woods Natural Area in South Burlington, VT during the late afternoon. This proved not to be the best location as it was next to a highway and experienced human noise disturbance. The only birds I found were a few Black-capped Chickadees in the distance. This was likely due to the cold temperatures and human proximity. It also seemed to be a popular dog walking area which increased the noise disturbance. A benefit from this was that the dogs shed their fur along the trail, leaving nest building material for the birds in the warmer months.

The Black-capped Chickadee does not migrate for winter because it has characteristics that allow it to survive in cold temperatures. Chickadees go into a state called “regulated hypothermia” where they essentially lower their body temperature and therefore their metabolic expenditure. The bird will consume enough to increase their body weight by at least 10% in order to survive the night. Throughout the night they will shiver to keep warm, thus returning to their normal body weight by morning.

Later on in the New North End I saw a Brown-headed Cowbird calling from the top of a bare tree. These birds are considered shirt migrants, as they migrate only as far as 530 miles between breeding and wintering grounds. They live year-round in the middle and southern US, as well as the top of Mexico. They spend their non-breeding period in southern Mexico and Florida and their breeding season mainly in the Northwest and Canada. Their purpose for migration seems to be for breeding and weather purposes. These birds are starting to return to Burlington because the conditions are once again suitable for them.

הועלה ב-מרץ 30, 2023 03:59 לפנה"צ על ידי lillietyroler lillietyroler | תגובה 1 | הוספת תגובה

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