Ornithology Journal 4

Eli Tierney
• Date/time : 3/25/24 / 4pm to 5pm
• Location – Redstone Field, next to Redstone Hall.
• Weather- Temp of 42, minimal wind. Clear sky with sparse clouds.
• Habitat(s) – Grass lawn lined with various ornamental trees and shrubs such as Norway spruce, Eastern white Pine, Buckthorn, black locust, and some paper birch.
Observations list:
• American Robin (6 individuals)
• American Crow (3 individuals)
• Ring-billed Gull (1 individual)
• Red-tailed Hawk (1 individual)
Ornithology Field Journal 4:

One year-round resident I observed was the American Crow foraging in a group. These species have the ability to endure the low night temperatures by flocking together in large groups at night. This roosting behavior also allows for information sharing of where food may be found. Crows also can eat a variety of foods and are known to be adept scavengers in human garbage which makes food availability in winter less of a challenge. Other year-round residents such as Blacked-capped Chickadees have physiological adaptations such as autumn molts that make their feathers extra dense, allowing them to keep warm in winter’s temperatures.

I observed a Red-tailed Hawk soaring above the open field, which could be an individual returning as the weather warms. The species will migrate to more southern areas, starting in the fall. They can be found in Vermont year-round, but are considered migratory as many move southward in search of more food availability. Hawks are carnivores, which means that when the temperatures drop their food sources of small rodents, reptiles, and other birds become much more scarce in the winter. Red-tailed Hawks will shift their territory to find warmer areas where less of their prey will be hibernating or hidden. Now that Vermont’s weather is starting to be warm again, there will be higher food availability as the food sources of small mammals will be springing back to life and the hawks will return.

A migratory species returning to Vermont in early April may allow them to establish their territory earlier and take advantage of food sources that are beginning to be plentiful again as the weather warms. A disadvantage would be that Vermont’s weather is unpredictable as displayed by the blizzard a few days before this observation. The frequent temperature fluctuations means that species who returned for warmer weather may suffer as they are adapted to the cold. Food availability may be inconsistent and low at the beginning of spring as well

הועלה ב-מרץ 26, 2024 03:46 לפנה"צ על ידי