2/21/2021 Redstone Walk

Start: 9:10am at Davis Circle
End: 10:34am South Prospect st
5-10 mph west blowing wind
mostly sunny, clear sky, occasional cloud, 21F
Habitat: scattered Pine trees, deciduous trees and brush along Redstone pathway and South Prospect street and bird feeder in urban neighborhood (off south prospect) with coniferous tree cover and undergrowth.

There was an abundance of American Robin sightings throughout our walk across redstone campus. These small birds flitted in and out of dense tree branches with ease and even in an open space seemed to bob in the air: flapping a few quick beats, coasting and dropping slightly then flapping again in rapid succession. These birds have an elliptical type wing to allow them more maneuverability among dense branches and undergrowth. Compared to the Herring Gulls, these birds seemed to have much quicker more flitting movements. The Herring Gulls were observed much higher in the sky than the robins, and none were observed on the ground or perches. Due to their high aspect ratio wing type, they are more equipped for soaring long distances versus fitting through branches like the robins. Furthermore, they have to flap a lot less than the robin to stay aloft, especially at higher altitudes, the Herring Gull seemed to use slower more evenly flapped strokes then spiraling or gliding on a wind current. Both these wing types fit these bird's flight habits but also habitat niches. The robin is a forest dweller where the Gull can be found closer to large bodies of water or large flat lands and marshes. The robin's wing shape helps them maneuver between trees and among under growth to get to insects and seeds or berries. Whereas the gull is equipped to soaring across larger stretches of land or above water bodies where they'll scavenge for fish or smaller birds and insects.
We observed a flock of roughly 12 Herring Gull outside Redstone Music hall, with a few individuals noted randomly at the start of our walk. However they all seemed to gather above the music hall and all of them just made slow circles around that area. Because they are pretty good at soaring it was mentioned that they probably found a warm updraft of wind current and were using it to just coast. A few darker gulls were noted and assumed to be first year juveniles who haven't yet molted in to their adult basic plumage. This was a great demonstration of how high aspect ratio wings are ideal for coasting on wind currents, the gulls hardly had to flap and just leisurely circled way above us. I do wonder why the Herring Gulls were not closer to lake Champlain, I would imagine air currents coming off/around the water to be much more abundant than on campus. I also wonder what the gulls eat on campus, or in general what attracts them to campus more than the open water - I'm assuming campus contains easier food sources via humans/human activity.

I also really enjoyed observing the Common Redpolls feeding at the bird feeders off south prospect. Similar to the robins they seemed to have more flitted movements than the gulls. The Common Redpolls share a similar habitat to the robin so it is understandable that they will have similar body shapes and wing shapes. Although I would say that the Common Redpolls and the House Sparrows have the most similar movements of the birds we observed today. Similar to the robins they had quick wing movements followed by a short period of coasting before repeating their furious flapping. These birds all were only seen flying short distances, from tree to tree or tree to ground/feeder, minimizing their need to coast. Seeing as they share common habitats and diets it is logical that they would have similar flight mannerisms to navigate the same habitats. The House Sparrow, Common Redpolls and American Robins all shared similar feather colors as well. With varying shades of brown, black and grey they all blended into the trees and undergrowth expertly. Paired with their quick dashes from tree to tree or branch to branch they were hard to focus on! This color pallet only further helps these birds survive within their habitats. I wonder how the Robin and Redpolls developed such bright coloring. The robin's orange breast seems more camouflage with dead/dying leaves but the Redpoll's bright red cap definitely stood out, besides attracting mates do they have other purposes?
In all I count today's outing a great introduction to birding and definitely set me up to know what to look for next time I'm out!

Julkaistu helmikuu 21, 2021 10:57 IP. käyttäjältä jamiek347