Käyttäjän stver_j päiväkirja

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.

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.