April 22, 2020 Field Journal 7

Date: April 22, 2020
Time: 7:45 - 9:30 am
Location: Calais, Vermont
Weather: 25 degrees Fahrenheit, heavy snow, strong Northwestern wind
Habitat: a small pond with Sugar Maple dominate woodland on either side. Open woodland around the pond and the connecting creek.

Species:
1 Blue Jay
3 Blue-headed Vireo (2 male, 1 female)
Wild Turkey (not sure as to how many)
1 American Robin
2 Wood Duck (1 male, 1 female)

Today I traveled Southeast from my property to a small pond downhill from the ridge I often make my observations. Unfortunately, it was snowing much more than I had anticipated and the wind made it extremely difficult to see and hear the birds. Whereas mornings here are often quite noisy (my inspiration for getting up earlier than usual to go birding) this morning was quite. In fact, the only species I was able to hear was what I believe to be a flock of Wild Turkeys (if it was not a whole flock, there were at least several close by as they were very loud).

Down at the pond, the only birds I saw were two Wood Ducks. One was clearly male (based on the colorful plumage) and the other was most likely the female. There are several dead trees right on the edge of the pond that I expected to see woodpeckers at, but after seeing the Wood Ducks I believe these may be potential nesting sites for them. I was surprised to see how seemingly uninterested in the other each of them seemed (they did not float around together although they occasionally would pass close to each other). I was expecting to see more, perhaps some form of special call or dance performed by the male as a way to attract the female. After returning home, I did some research and learned that Wood Ducks often pair in late Winter and mate in early Spring. Based on this information, I believe these two ducks have already mated and nested in one of the dead trees noted before. I know Wood Ducks have claws allowing them to nest in places most ducks can't such as treestands bordering a body of water. I will return on a less snowy day to investigate further. In terms of prime or poor territory, I would classify this as prime; although the pond is small, there is plenty of fish. The surrounding land is often also very moist, nearly a wetland, and the air remains humid in late Spring and throughout summer providing ample insects in the area, perfect for a Wood Duck.

On way down the ridge before reaching the pond, another potential since of mating was seen. In a small poplar tree, I saw two Blue-headed Vireo darting at each other in what appeared to be some sort of fight. I decided to stay and watch and because I did I was able to notice a third, smaller Blue-headed Vireo in a neighboring tree (I believe its a Black Cherry but I'm not sure). I never realized how silly songbirds look as they are fighting; I would almost describe it as a dance. It seemed as though they were playing, taking turns flying out from the tree and quickly back to it. I looked into the mating/nesting process of Blue-headed Vireo which confirmed my suspicions: this was most likely two males fighting over territory as a female watched from the sidelines. What was more interesting though was learning what happens after the fight is over and mating begins. As part of the mating ritual, the male Blue-headed Vireo will make a 'courtship nest' which is not a real nest but a show as to how great the male is at collecting resources. This is then abandoned after so the real nest can be made. The nest is made of twigs, grass, bark, and other various pieces of plant debris. Based on this I would say this is great territory for the Vireo: near the edge of dense woodland bordering an open pasture meaning it would not have to travel far at all to get the material needed for its nest.

Posted on April 23, 2020 02:00 AM by simonbradley simonbradley

Observations

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

American Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

Observer

simonbradley

Date

April 22, 2020

Description

A male and female Wood Duck floating around a tiny pond.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

Observer

simonbradley

Date

April 22, 2020

Description

Fat American Robin contrasting well with the snowy ground. Very active, scurrying around an open pastor picking at the snow.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Observer

simonbradley

Date

April 22, 2020

Description

Although I couldn't find the flock, they were very loud somewhere on the other side of the pond I set up shop. The creek was too high to cross but they were most likely roaming around an old corn field that is about 100 feet through the woods on the other side of the pond.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)

Observer

simonbradley

Date

April 22, 2020

Description

Three Blue-headed vireo active in a small poplar tree. It seemed as though the two larger ones were engaged in a fight!

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

Observer

simonbradley

Date

April 22, 2020

Description

Beautiful Blue Jay seen in a small Sugar Maple on my walk back. Usually when the Blue Jays seem to dart around and call often but this one seemed pretty docile. It didn't move from its perch once.

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