Field Journal - Migration
Date - 4/3/21
Start time - 10:30am
End time - 11:00
Location - Trinity Campus/Woods
Weather - ~50 degrees, sunny,
Habitat(s) - woods, residential area
I did this week's bird walk all around Trinity Campus and the surrounding woods. For year-round residents I saw Black-capped Chickadees in a tree, American Crows flying by and in the trees, and Ring-billed Gulls flying by, as well as hearing Mourning Doves. All these species are able to stay over the winter for different reasons that benefit them. Chickadees change their diets in the winter, eating seeds and berries and less insects. They also stay in groups so they can find food easier, and nest in cavities for warmth and protection. American Crows also benefit from being in groups so they can communicate about food, or group together for warmth. They also eat a variety of foods. Ring-billed Gulls are around all year largely because their food source is from humans who are around all year. These birds all say year round because the behaviors and adaptations make it a better option than the energetically expensive migration.
The facultative migrants I observed were American Robins. Facultative migrants don’t always migrate if the winter conditions happen to be more mild. Robins also eat a variety of foods and switch from insects to berries so they can winter farther north. We have observed the Robins here throughout the winter. They have shown up even more in Burlington the past month about, as it gets warmer and the snow covering the ground melts away, and insects are easier to access.I did not see any obligate migrants.
For the mini-activity, the American Crows, Black-capped Chickadees, and Mourning Doves all winter here. The Ring-Billed Gulls may also have mostly been here all year. The American Robin may not have traveled much either, but some could have wintered in southern Florida which is around 1,500 miles travelled. Or they could have come from the southern tip of Texas or from Mexico which would be around 21,000 miles at least, which is maybe less likely.
Havainnot
