Field Journal #7 ... Causeway Park Once Again

Date --- 4/25/2021
Start Time --- 12:15 AM
End Time --- 1:45 PM
Location --- Causeway Park, Colchester, VT 05446
Weather --- (Temperature) = 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or ~ 13 degrees Celsius ... (Wind) = ~ 8mph S ... (Precipitation) = very light, intermittent drizzles w/ 100% cloud cover.
Habitats --- Smooth mud/dirt trail for 0.5 miles, w/ slow moving, lentic brooks on both sides of walkway. Wooded areas extend out on land to W. Eventually transitioned to wetland and then open water, with walkway (or Causeway) extending out for miles across Lake Champlain w/ rocks and solid material serving as the barrier between land and lake.

After a very balancing Causeway Park excursion on Easter Sunday about three weeks ago, I decided to head there once again, this time bringing along my partner to show her my new favorite birdwatching spot. We enjoyed an easy going stroll along the water, every once in a while being refreshed by the gentlest of rains. Unfortunately, my Herring Gull pal Bugs from my last Causeway trip was nowhere to be found, but we still saw plenty of other birds, including a pair of Great Egret wading by the water's edge, a gaggle of Bufflehead having a very important meeting farther out on the lake, a romantic pair of Mallards searching for food together, and a Song Sparrow that came within 4 feet of us, among others.

I mention above that the Buffleheads were attending a crucial meeting because they are most likely preparing for breeding season! The group of about 8-10 individuals we witnessed on the lake were quite far out, but I was able to get a better look thanks to my binoculars. While they seemed to be relatively mellow from afar, an enhanced view uncovered some interesting behaviors, some of which we covered in previous classes. The male Bufflehead were seen slowly floating around the open water, until they weren't ... their calm demeanor was immediately followed by an increase in speed across the water (towards a potential mate) accompanied by rapid protrusion and retraction of the head and neck. This was done at about a 50-60 degree angle with the water's surface, and every once in a while two males would engage in aggressive behaviors directed at one another. Other times, they would somewhat shake their bodies out of the water. I assume the interactions taking place on Lake Champlain were related to mate selection, since these birds tend to nest in tree cavities close to the shore according to my field guide. However, upon searching Google, some sources suggest that these birds are monogamous; if this were the case, perhaps these Bufflehead haven't experienced their first birthday yet and therefore, haven't experienced the process of selecting a mate. Or, perhaps this was a group of polygamous Bufflehead, who weren't fond of the mate they selected the prior year.

About three quarters of a mile into Lake Champlain, we spotted a Song Sparrow sitting atop a bush and chirping softly; the organism can be seen attached to my observations for this journal. If it were defending territory near this location, I can see why a bird would choose to reside here. First and foremost, there don't seem to be too many birds who venture near those parts; it's mostly Song Sparrow territory, and they are seen almost exclusively along the path out into the water. Last excursion, I did see Tree Swallow among the trees, but not this time out. Most birds are probably gearing up to nest in the wetlands and forests along the land, as this habitat provides protection from the elements, most notably wind and precipitation. Song Sparrows can shelter from harsh weather by fluttering into a small crevice among the many gigantic rocks lining the causeway. It is also worth noting that because of the lack of other species along the extending lake trail, these Song Sparrows are free to claim any materials they might find useful; this can include twigs and branches for nest building or food items for nourishment, along with other items. If they overheat from a warm sunny day, these birds (not just the Song Sparrows, but any other nearby birds as well) have an entire body of freshwater at their disposal to cool off, even if it just means dipping their feet in. It probably wouldn't be great for them to drink lake water, but in a pinch, it could get them by. And worse comes to worse, the wooded areas surrounding the land trail that many other local birds call home is only a minute's flight away; not much energy would be expended searching these areas for resources, but there might not be anything worth claiming (nutrition-wise) due to the nearby inhabitants getting first dibs. The vast number of trees can easily provide nesting material (bark, twigs, pine needles, etc.), however. If the Song Sparrow we encountered does in fact live permanently out on the Causeway Lake Champlain path, it can be assumed their fitness is very strong, a testament to how well this individual can survive, adapt and overcome.

Julkaistu huhtikuu 26, 2021 08:14 IP. käyttäjältä pyramidlakejake