4/24/21
4:00-5:30 PM
Behind Redstone Campus and around the Burlington Country Club Golf Course
66° F
Overcast with North west 4 mph winds
Habitat: Retention pond with reeds, cattails and phragmites around it. Small wooded section with various trees and shrubs. Large open green area.
Reproductive Ecology and Evolution
For this week’s field observation I walked around behind Redstone campus and the Burlington Country Club Golf Course. I sat and observed near the retention pond behind the Redstone campus. From previous observations, I have found that a Canada Goose pair has built a nest on a small peninsula type piece of land in the retention pond. When I walked over to the retention pond area, one of the two Canada Geese came towards me. There was a fence between us, so I was able to observe his defense tactics without being attacked. He lowered and pointed his head towards me while sticking out his tongue. The Canada Goose also made hissing noises and fanned his wings out to appear large. This was definitely an effective way of defending his territory because I was admittedly a little scared. His unpleasant hissing noise and large fanned out wings were enough to get me to step back. Although the retention pond is quite small, I’d say this is a prime territory because it is well protected. The pond is fenced in and is located in an area that does not have a lot of predators (other than humans). The nest is located on a peninsula in water that is easily defended and hidden by reeds. I couldn’t get a good view of the nest, but it is most likely built with sticks, mud, reeds and feathers. The second species that I found was the Red-winged Blackbird. I found two males, who were both singing their notorious “konk-a-ree” song. They were both in the same general area, but were fairly far apart. The first one was sitting on a cattail on the edge of the water, and the other was sitting high in a tree on the far side of the pond. Both of their songs were loud and clear from where I was standing. Eventually the one in the tree flew off to an area where I couldn’t see, but the one on the cattail stayed for as long as I was there. Once again, I’d say this is prime territory because there are a lot of resources available. This may indicate that the observed Red-winged Blackbird is relatively fit compared to others. The nest may be built with twigs from the nearby wooded area and can be hidden in the dense vegetation of reeds and cattails. The light brown vegetation also pairs very well with the female Red-winged Blackbirds plumage and may provide great camouflage. As I walked into the wooded area near the golf course, I heard the song of two different Eastern Phoebes. I was not able to see either of them, but their songs were clear. One song was far into the golf course area and the other was closer to Redstone campus. Eastern Phoebes like to nest in niches or overhangs that are protected from the elements. It could be a possibility that one or both of the Eastern Phoebes have nests in overhangs on one of the surrounding buildings. These nests may be built with mud, moss, leaves and twigs. As I walked towards the golf course, I heard a Pileated Woodpecker’s call. This is a very loud and distinct chatter noise that can be heard from far away. I continuously listened for the call and walked closer until it was very loud and clear. Eventually I found the Pileated Woodpecker sitting high up in a tree. I observed him for a while and was lucky enough to see him drum. He pecks the wood fast and hard to make a loud and deeply toned “drumming” noise. This is another sign of marking territory. Unlike the other observed species, Pileated Woodpeckers are cavity nesters and nest in tree cavities. The males excavate a hole in dead trees and don’t usually line the nest with anything other than wood chips. I found another Pileated Woodpecker in Centennial woods the other week. Comparing the two territories, I’d say the one in Centennial woods is better than the one near the golf course. There are a lot more resources such as snags in Centennial woods compared to the golf course area. This could indicate that the Pileated Woodpecker in Centennial woods is more fit than the one observed near the golf course. Ultimately, all four species observed today have shown signs of defending territory or attracting a mate. Spring is certainly here. Link to Mini Activity Sound Map Included Below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14QPePlDRMkm5N6qw6qkq6N4K6_b-z4zAqaLl-ISQSN4/edit