Käyttäjän stver_j päiväkirja

Monday 10, 2021
1:15-3:00
Along the Catawissa Creek: Including creekside riparian zones and woodland edges.
Overcast Condition with some drizzle.

Date: 04.25.2021
Time: 5:00-6:45
Location: Zion Grove, Pa
Habitat: Interface of Forest edge along corn field; grassland; farm wetland (spring located in wetland creates very steep and heavily covered riparian microhabitat)

Mating season on farmland habitats seems to be more overtly related to territory than the forest. While grassland/farmland birds are not necessarily more territorial, their territory defense and mating activity is more visible. Red-winged Blackbirds are the embodiment of territoriality to me. Especially in mid spring, the fight for mere feet of land is constant. Encroachments from all angles must be snuffed out, or a territory could be parceled out by your neighbor Blackbirds. As new invaders (both Blackbird and Grackle) land from overhead, looking for some food or maybe a perch, the territory owner must spring into action. Eager neighbors seize these opportunities to encroach and take over any bit they can. These battle scenes play out over small fractions of time, and the calm re-establishment that follows is a favorite behavior of mine to observe. There seems to be moments where a "ceasefire" occurs. During these moments, individuals perch from the high point of their territory and call heavily. Maybe this is a bit clerical work in terms of establishing borders. Birds with the lowest max perch height seem to have less developed shoulder patches (possibly younger or weaker).

Blue Jays made constant trips between the wetland portion of the field and the forest edge. When building nests, Blue Jays make these trips to bring materials back to their nest sites in the forest. Corn stalks and grasses are utilized most for these nests.

Key:
A- Red-winged Blackbird
B- Grackle
C- Blue Jay
D- Song Sparrow
E- Mourning Dove
F- Wild Turkey
G-Northern Cardinal
H- Red-eyed Vireo
R- American Robin

04/19/2021
Weiser Forest District Aristes Reservoir
4:45pm-7:00pm
Kayaking in the shallow reservoir; Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) and Red Maple (Acer Rubrum) beginning to bloom out along the border of pond. Insects are just finally appearing at water's surface.
Overcast with occasional drizzle
This was a fun trip. It is always to get out in the kayak. I usually go to the Weiser to observe butter butts and Yellow Warblers in the blueberry thickets which run along the northern border of the pond, as well of course for the waterfowl. My warbler search turned out unsuccessful until I passed under the bridge into the more marshy end of the pond. Fluttering in the low cover of a few young blueberry bushes were two Tennessee Warblers. My visit to this portion of the water was only sweetened when I saw around a bend a mother goose. I spent a good bit of time silently observing from the opposite bank. Geese have always intrigued me. It is hard not to have a bit of fear for them, but fear out of respect. The way Canada Geese hold posture makes them one of my favorite photography subjects. When on land they look incredibly strong to me.
I expect the Warblers will be claiming territory within the blueberries any day now. This kind of habit is truly amazing to observe from the water. The quiet provided by slow drifting, as well as the low profile, means you get much better views of movement within thickets. Definitely my favorite subgenera of Ornitherapy.

Start-6:32am
End-8:15am
Condition- Clear; Cool; With a light breeze
Habitat- Marshy outskirts of a shallow reservoir pond.
As more migrants arrive in Pennsylvania I can only imagine that overwintering species are looking upon them, from their primo nesting cavities, and sneering. The risky method of winter habitation in northern climates pays dividends to those who bare the brutal conditions come spring. Chickadees are springing into action again as early rising insects present an opportunity for feasting. All the while some species are leaving the area for seemingly "greener pasture".
Facultative migrants, unlike obligate/fixed migrants and non migrating species, take a more nomadic approach to life. As the winter stores of fermenting fruit and remnant nuts run dry, facultative migrants move on to areas in which some fruits and nuts have already sprung. Migrants, both obligate and facultative, following insect activity return in spring (usually around mid April here). Waterfowl are redistributing to smaller water bodies, frozen over just weeks ago. This time of transition depends heavily on our biome's natural phenological processes. Which seem to be shifting a bit more each year.
If the Wood Duck, Black Ducks, and Mallards that I observed this morning had all met up at the Weiser after departing from Florida's Lake Okeechobee they would have over 9,000 miles combined on their wings. Just thinking about that type of travel gives me road rage:)

Spring is a time of return to wetlands. Large mixed flocks follow the early returning waterfowl. Many individuals are setting up territory, while others are feeding insatiably in anticipation of the stressful breeding season. Red-winged Blackbirds are bearing claim to portions of the marsh from atop sumac and immature walnut. Posting and displaying whilst calling out to each other in hopes of driving off a rival or attract a mate. Field Sparrows and American Robins work busily in the saturated, insect rich, tampered downed material. While most individuals feed, a few keep their heads up or move to higher ground to look for predators. This act of mutualism between ground species must have frustrated the overhead Red-tailed Hawk.
Fresh plumages highlight the attributes and characteristics that species employ, and why. Field sparrows are virtually impossible to spot in early spring grasses. This allows them to feed with little concern for predation before vegetative cover returns to the wetland. Red-winged Blackbirds use their plumage and feather shape to intimidate both rivals and perceived threats (like a birder getting a bit too close). The interesting full body display of Red-wings and other black birds is effective in impressing females and portraying the individual as too much to handle for predators. The stark difference in predator defense in these species highlights the broad uses and success of distinct plumages.
Initially when calling out most birds retreat to cover. Blackbirds became extremely territorial towards me as I continued with variable tones and timing. After about a minute of on and off "spishing" Field Sparrows returned to their normal feeding activities. A curious male Northern Cardinal flew across the farm field from a forest edge to see who was calling. He perched on a tree where a few skeptical Robins looked on me. Eventually the nerves subsided and they returned to worming. Unfortunately I was forced to stop my vocalization once realizing I was agitating the courting Canada Gooses. The mallard seemed less phased, continuing to dabble, but I restrained myself out of respect for the couple.

03/07/2021
4:25pm-6:20pm
Zion Grove, PA
I chose a parcel of private land with a small patch of late successional forest bordering agricultural fields. This past season the fields had been planted with corn. Making them the perfect landing and feeding ground for early Canada Goose. This time of year it seems the flocks are much bigger than summer, when they break off and inhabit smaller ponds. Overall, it seems winter is a time of intense food gathering early and late in the daylight with long periods of sedentary behavior. In human populated areas, a myriad of species cluster where feeders are kept stocked all winter long. While passerines and fowl group together, many raptors and owls search high and wide for a scarce meal in solitude. A great highlight of the winter months is the opportunity to observe forest species without the impairment of leaves. Watching pairs of Northern Cardinals as the male keeps lookout for the feeding female is my personal favorite.
Another great thing about bare trees is woodpeckers. Unlike summertime, winter offers better chances at seeing feeding behavior and cavity drilling. Snags offer one of the best sources of food for non-seed eaters in winter. The incredible diversity of insect life within a snag provides sustenance for various species. Through my observation of six snags (four >~14cm DBH) it seems that the larger the snag is the more variable the cavity/hole sizes and shapes get. In snags under 10cm DBH there were no cavities large enough for nesting. It seems that smaller species will feed from larger and smaller snags. Adversely, larger species, such as Pileated Woodpeckers, will only visit large snags.
Snag deterioration also appears to effect visitation. Snags with minimal bark left are chewed up, but don't have nearly as much fresh chipping on the floor as fresher snags. Snag bark is accessed by some species, like Brown Creepers, that feed off the surface.
My last encounter of the day was a young male Northern Cardinal who got a bit territorial with me after I rapped on a snag a few times.

Jake Stever
Sat. Feb. 20, 2021
Along Little Cattawissa Creek
Cold; Clear; 25 Degree F; Occasional brisk wind
6:25-8:10
I chose the Winter Wren and Black-capped Chickadee because they are very compatible in size, but use their wings much differently. Chickadees fly in their signature suspended style. I believe this is one of the many reasons people love them. There is something attractive about the way they tuck their wings after a few flaps and hurl forward. Combined with impressive abrupt stalls and pull ups, this style must offer the Chickadee and aerodynamic advantage. An advantage to tucking their wings is a reduction in potential drag brought on by their relatively large elliptical wings.
The Winter Wren used its wings more as a jump booster. As the individual weaved and searched through thickets along a steep stream bank it gave one or two flaps and then stalled to land. The wren has noticeably longed legs then the Chickadee, allowing for powerful jumps. The shorter relative nature of the wing, and subsequently smaller surface area, cause Winter Wrens to rely on continuous flapping to gain significant lift.
It's interesting that though the two are very similar in size and build they utilize different stroke styles based on their habitat and relative wing size.