Käyttäjän gracey4 päiväkirja

5/28/2021
Start time: 6:50 am
End time: 11:45 am
Location: Woodside Park
Weather: ~50º F, no wind/precipitation
Habitat: Winooski River bordered by deciduous forest, marsh bordered by shrubby habitat then deciduous forest

As expected, different species generally showed a preference for specific habitats within the park. The Red-winged Blackbirds and Swamp Sparrows were found within the marsh, and the Willow Flycatchers were found in the low trees and shrubs bordering the marsh. The Catbirds also tended to stick to more shrubby habitat, and the Warbling Vireo was found in the trees bordering the marsh. The Wood Thrush, Wood-Pewee, and Least Flycatcher seemed to be a bit deeper in the woods. American Redstarts didn’t seem tot show as strong of a preference as other species, and were found all along the trail except for the marsh and the shrubby habitat directly bordering it.
The highlight of this trip was easily the Canada Warbler. It was definitely a surprise to say the least, and it’s a good thing I managed to spot him because his song definitely threw me for a bit of a loop.

5/27/2021
Start time: 6:50 am
End time: 12:15 pm
Location: Macrae Farm Park
Weather: ~60º F, cloudy but cleared up in late morning, ~5-10 mph winds, no precipitation
Habitat: the Winooski River, fields/grasslands bordered by forest, one shrubby field with scattered low trees

Macrae Farm Park is contains a variety of different habitats, and is home to a wide variety of different species. Canada Geese, Mallards, a pair of Belted Kingfishers, a Great Blue Heron, a Great Egret, and an Osprey were all found in or directly along the river. The Bobolinks were found only in the open fields, and the Blackbirds seemed to be concentrated around these fields as well. Common Yellowthroats, Gray Catbirds, and Warbling Vireos were most common near the edges of the forest, with the Yellowthroats and Catbirds occupying the shrubby areas between the fields and forest and the Warbling Vireos sticking to the trees. Other birds, like the Robins and Redstarts seemed to be widespread throughout the park, except for the grasslands.
The highlights of this trip were definitely the multitude of baby geese, and the Cedar Waxwings. Waxwings are easily one of my favorite birds and I always love being able to spend time with them. The Gnatcatcher was also a pleasant surprise!

5/26/2021
Start time: 7:20 am
End time: 12:00 pm
Location: Burrow's Trail, Camel's Hump State Park
Habitat: montane, high-elevation predominantly deciduous forest that transitions to coniferous forest then krummholz as elevation increases

The most common species I encountered by far were Red-eyed Vireos, Ovenbirds and Black-throated Blue Warblers, and they were found all along the trail. The Black-throated Green Warblers were also found consistently all throughout the trail. In one particular area on the trail, I came across a cluster of very vocal Least Flycatchers, though I did not encounter them anywhere else along the trail. I didn't notice anything noticeably different about this spot, and I wonder what made it such prime Least Flycatcher habitat. The Winter Wrens were also found only in specific spots along streams that ran next to the trail.
The highlight of this trip was definitely the Blackburnian Warbler. He was pretty high up in the canopy, but was very cooperative and I managed to get some pretty good looks at him as he was singing.

5/25/2021
Start time: 7:00 am
End time: 12:15 pm
Location: Geprags Community Park
Weather: ~70º F, ~10-15 mph winds, no precipitation
Habitat: open grassland surrounded by open shrub/scrub habitat with low shrubs and small trees that transitioned into mixed deciduous/coniferous forest

The majority of the birds I encountered were found in the shrub/scrub and woods surrounding the grassland. Around the open grassland areas, I encountered Barn and Tree Swallows and heard some Bobolink chatter and a Field Sparrow sing once. Catbirds and Chestnut-sided Warblers seemed to be the most numerous species in the more upland shrub/scrub areas. In the lowland area of the park surrounding the pond, Alder Flycatchers and Chestnut-sided Warblers seemed to be the most common, with less Catbird activity.
One of the Golden-winged x Blue-winged hybrids was especially cooperative, and I managed to get some really good looks at him as he was singing. Making my way down towards the pond I also saw a raven being chased off by a kingbird. I grew up near a farm that was always filled with kingbirds every summer, and I'm always amazed by their ferocity.

5/24/2021
Start time: 7:15 am
End time: 12:15 am
Location: Shelburne Pond (Fishing Access and Pond Road)
Weather: ~70º F, no wind/precipitation
Habitat: large body of open water surrounded by marsh, mixed deciduous/coniferous forest, and some farmland/grassland

This was definitely a great experience, and a great adventure in practicing Empid ID given the number of Willow and Alder Flycatchers seen and heard throughout the trip. There was quite a bit of open grassland/farmland between the fishing access area and Pond Rd, and it was definitely fascinating to see how quickly the species composition changed as I travelled between the two areas, then seemed to change back again once I reached the marsh area at Pond Rd.

Date: 5/8/2021
Start time: 6:35 am
End time: 8:35 am
Location: Centennial Woods Natural Area
Weather: cloudy, ~50º F, no wind/precipitation
Habitat: mixed coniferous/deciduous forest

4/23/2021
Start Time: 7:10 am
End Time: 8:55 am
Location: Saxon Hill Recreation Area
Weather: ~50º F, no wind/precipitation
Habitat: mixed deciduous and coniferous forest

Throughout this trip, the primary behavior I encountered related to mate and territory selection was singing, from a variety of different species. I also encountered two Hermit Thrushes chasing each other along one of the trails; this was maybe related to territory establishment or defense. Two of the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers also appeared to be chasing each other, and this also may have been territory-related. I also saw an American Robin on a nest overhanging one of the trails. The majority of the species seen are likely nesting deeper in the woods, away from the trails and from potential human disturbance. Species such as American Robins or Black-capped Chickadees that build their own nests may have more flexibility in the trees that they can choose to nest in, as opposed to cavity nesters like Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers which are restricted to trees that they are physically able to excavate. Specifically where a species builds its nest, whether high in a tree or closer to the ground, will also influence where it is able to nest.
The nesting American Robin I encountered seemed to be defending a rather poor territory. The nest was on a branch directly above one of the trails, and I imagine that this site makes the nest especially vulnerable to human disturbance. I’m not exactly sure just how often that particular trail is used, however, so it’s possible that it isn’t actually used all that often and disturbance isn’t a major problem. Assuming that this territory is indeed of relatively poor quality, it would indicate that this bird is unable to establish or defend a higher-quality nesting territory.
Another species I encountered singing and likely engaging in breeding activity was the Pine Warbler. Given the composition of the surrounding forests, it’s possible that these birds are using pine needles and moss as part of their nest construction. I also encountered several people walking their dogs, so it’s possible that these birds are using dog hair in their nests for insulation. These materials would all likely be found relatively close to or on the ground.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Raozz4HtTJp-GEvmQscM1i2LrFtRTrAp/view?usp=sharing

Date: 4/17/2021
Start time: 7:20 am
End time: 10:00 am
Location: Saxon Hill Recreation Area
Weather: ~40º F, no wind or precipitation
Habitat: mixed deciduous and coniferous forest

4/3/2021
Start Time: 9:20 am
End Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
Weather: 50º F, no wind/precipitation
Habitats: marsh surrounded by young deciduous forest, large open field across road

Migration is a time-consuming and energetically-costly endeavor. It is therefore understandable that many species stay in an area year-round, especially if their diet and lifestyle allow them to do so. In order for the benefits of migration to outweigh the costs, reproduction must make up for the high mortality rate experienced during migration. Mortality resulting from staying in the breeding area year-round must also be sufficiently high so that overall survival is drastically improved with migration. Many of Vermont’s non-migratory species, such as Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and American Crows, are generalists that can cope with the decrease in available food by being able to survive on a range of different food sources depending on availability and time of year. During their pre-basic molt, many species will also grow in additional down feathers for extra insulation during the colder winter months.
American Robins are an example of a facultative migrant than can adjust their migration in response to environmental conditions. Depending on current conditions, individuals may or may not leave Vermont for the winter. It’s possible that many of the robins encountered are returning to Vermont after wintering farther south, or travelled south from farther north to winter and are on their way back north.
A few obligate migrants are beginning to return to Vermont already. Returning relatively early, before most other migrants, may grant these species exclusive access to resources before other migrants begin to arrive. Arriving in early April also likely allows more time for breeding and rearing young, and may potentially grant some of these species the ability to raise an additional brood. However, one disadvantage to arrive this early is that weather is still somewhat unpredictable, and likely less mild than it would be had they arrived sometime in May.
For this mini activity, I calculated the distances travelled for American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Wood Duck, Osprey, and Tree Swallow. I estimated each species’ wintering area to be around the Everglades in South Florida, near the Neuse River in North Carolina, near Willington, Georgia, near the Florida Keys, and near Jacksonville, Florida, respectively. The total distanced travelled by all five species was calculated to be around 5,566 miles.

3/30/2021
Start Time: 8:30 am 

End Time: 10:20 am
Location: Chimney Point State Park
Weather: ~20º F, 5-10 mph wind, no precipitation
Habitats: open water surrounded by open, scrubby field with some large trees near museum building and along adjacent shore of lake

The geese, ducks, and gulls I observed had formed flocks. The groups were noticeably separated by species but were loosely associated with each other. Communication appeared to be largely audial; the geese in particular were constantly honking amongst each other, and the gulls were also quite vocal. It’s possible that they were simply trying to keep track of their partners in such a large group; Canada geese form their pair bonds through winter and spring, so this chatter may have been keeping in touch with a partner, or even attempts to attract a partner.
Male Lesser Scaups and Common Goldeneyes share alternate plumages with very similar color schemes; both have black heads and tails, white bodies, and darker backs. Male Common Goldeneyes, however, have very noticeable white patches in front of their eyes that male Lesser Scaups lack. This high-contrast alternate plumage likely serves to make the males more obvious as they attempt to attract mates. Both birds also have a noticeable iridescence to their head feathers; these structural colors also likely evolved to catch the attention of females. Ducks are generally social, and form large wintering flocks, making competition for females high and making adaptations that increase one’s likelihood of attracting a female highly beneficial.
I observed at least two geese engaging in courtship activity, extending their necks and opening their bills in unison. At this time in their circannual cycle, Canada geese are traveling back to their breeding grounds and establishing and strengthening pair bonds.
Unfortunately I did not encounter any chickadees or foraging flocks on this trip, and I did not attempt to try spishing with the ducks or geese. The blackbirds were flyovers, and the starlings and grackle were only brief visitors, so I did not attempt spishing with them either. Spishing is meant to imitate the alarm or mobbing calls of chickadees; these calls often entice other individuals to investigate the source of this mobbing, and therefore they can be imitated to attract a variety of different species.