Journal archives for April 2020

April 9, 2020

Field Journal #5

Colin Lach
FJ#5

Walking through Wake Robin Retirement Community on Monday April 6th, I was able to identify some birds and learn a bit more about migration. The weather at this time had a high of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny, spring has seemingly arrived and birds are starting to show up due to the warmer weather. The path that I was walking through included mostly forested areas which provided a good opportunity to see a diverse group of birds. My walk and time spent observing lasted a little over two hours from 12:30-2:50.
Throughout my time on the paths of Wake Robin I was able to identify an ok amount of birds however many of the species were heard not seen as I was able to identify a number of birds by calls or songs. I saw a number of Black-capped Chickadees (6) as well as heard and saw an Eastern Phoebe (1). Towards the end of my walk I was able to identify a pair of Northern Cardinals (2) and a pair of Mourning Doves (2), as well I saw a woodpecker that I later confirmed to be a Red-bellied Woodpecker (1).
Of these birds that I identified most of them are expected to be found in Vermont year round, such as the Northern Cardinals, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Black-capped Chickadee. There are many reasons why these birds are able to forego migration and remain here year round. Specifically Black-capped Chickadees have certain adaptations that allow them to remain in the North-east throughout the winter. With research I was able to learn about three specific things that help them survive. They’re insulated, they’re active and they have a good memory. With a half-inch coat of insulating feathers, chickadees maintain their body temperature at 100 degrees fahrenheit during the daytime. At night, their temperature drops 18 degrees, which reserves their store of fat. Chickadees also remain active to keep warm during the winter, by flying and not staying still for too long. Chickadees gather food very quickly and during autumn they stash food all around their territory. Their good memories enable them to find food during the winter when resources are scarce.
Of the birds I observed the Eastern Phoebe was the only true migrant. Eastern Phoebes travel to the north-east for breeding from the south where they go during the winter non-breeding season. I am sure that this species of bird travels during these times because of temperature, the winter in the north is too cold for them and during the transition to spring the south is too warm. During spring the weather gets warmer and days become longer as well as the growth of more vegetation and possible food. This can serve to be the perfect breeding grounds for some birds including the Eastern Phoebe.
Some advantages of birds arriving in Vermont early in April is that some locations for breeding and better territories may be available that wouldn't be later in the month. However, some disadvantages could be that the weather has not completely shifted and the species has arrived too early to be successful.
Overall this birding trip was successful in terms of observations and I was able to learn a bit more about what birds are migrants and why they migrate. I look forward to future trips as the temp continues to warm up and am excited to see what other birds start to show up.

Black-capped Chickadee x6
Eastern Phoebe x1
Northern Cardinal x2
Red-bellied Woodpecker x1

Posted on April 9, 2020 03:53 AM by colinlach colinlach | 5 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

April 16, 2020

Field Journal #6

Colin Lach
FJ#6

Walking on a trail in Jericho, VT on Tuesday April 14th, I was able to identify some birds and enjoy a nice day outside in nature. The weather at this time had a high of 50 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. The path that I was walking through included mostly forested areas that bordered a brook, this provided a good opportunity to see a large and diverse group of birds. My walk and time spent observing lasted a little over two hours from 11:40-1:50 pm. I was unable to capture any photos or recordings of my observations.

Identifications:
Downy Woodpecker x2
Blue Jay x3
Eastern Phoebe x1
Black-capped Chickadee x4

Posted on April 16, 2020 04:08 AM by colinlach colinlach | 4 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

April 27, 2020

Field Journal #7

Colin Lach
FJ#8

This week I walked through a forested area near my house in Shelburne on Monday April 20th. Throughout my walk I was able to identify some birds and observe their behaviors in their natural environment. This week, the focus was territorial and nesting behaviors. The weather was roughly 46 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny with minor clouds. The path that I was walking through included semi-vegetated and forested areas which provided a prime opportunity to see a diverse group of birds. My walk and time spent observing lasted a little over an hour and a half from 2:20-3:57 pm.
Throughout my time in the forest behind the house I was able to identify a few different species of birds. I saw a small group of European Starling, and heard multiple woodpeckers but could not identify which kind they were. Also, I saw a tree which I believe had been subject to some substantial pecking from a woodpecker. To answer the prompts provided, I did research online regarding species that I have encountered in the past. I also observed a bird's nest that I knew was near my house to see the type of materials that are used to build a nest.
The nest that is near my house is very delicately built using small twigs, weeds and pine needles and about 10 feet in the air in a pine tree. It is quite close to my house in a small neighborhood in a pretty open area that is scattered with trees and vegetation. I came to the conclusion that it could be a Mourning Dove nest based on its composition and the fact that two Mourning Doves are often around my house. Doves start building their nests as early as March. When picking territory they prefer open land with a scattering of trees and shrubs for cover. When a male is ready to mate, he circles in a courtship flight and chases rivals in an area where he desires to nest. These birds are also very adaptable to more suburban areas which explains why they are okay with nesting so close to a house in a fairly big neighborhood. This differs compared to other birds that would rarely be found in an area like this.
As I said earlier the Mourning Dove’s nest was constructed using small twigs, weeds and pine needles. They are also known to use things as light as grass to build their nests and will even nest on the ground if needed. All of these things are easy to find in this area pine needles from the pine tree they’re in, grass and weeds from the ground and small twigs found everywhere. Apparently Mourning Doves will reuse nests of their own and from other individuals of their species if available. The nest that I was observing was very delicately constructed you could almost see through the bottom.
While walking through a more densely forested area on the edge of my neighborhood I could hear which I later found out to be “drumming” by two woodpeckers. They would alternate drumming on a tree, apparently they do this to either establish their territory or attract a mate. Because there were two of them doing this, maybe this was part of the mating process. However if this was the two woodpeckers fighting over territory, I would say that they must be pretty dominant in their environment because there's lots of space and lots of trees for them to hunt.

European Starling x3

Posted on April 27, 2020 11:28 PM by colinlach colinlach | 1 observation | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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