bwells02's Journal

Date: April 29, 2024
Start Time: 12:00 PM
End Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Bolton Dome
Weather: Partially cloudy, warm temperature, 52°F, light breeze from the northwest
Habitat: Mixed Forest: Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, Eastern White Pine, Red Pine, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, Paper birch, Yellow Birch, American Beech

Observations:

• Black-capped chickadee
• House sparrow
• American Robin
• Tufted Titmouse
• Red-breasted nuthatch
• Downy woodpecker
• Dark-eyed Junco

Date: April 22, 2024
Start Time: 2:00 PM
End Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Centennial Woods, Vermont
Weather: Partially cloudy, warm temperature, 48°F, light breeze from the northwest
Habitat: Mixed Forest: Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, Eastern White Pine, Red Pine, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, Paper birch, Yellow Birch, American Beech

During my recent birdwatching adventure, I was surrounded by a symphony of bird calls and songs, indicating various species' activities. The warmer weather has welcomed the migratory species back home, which also requires the establishment of territories and mate selection with their lively chatter. I spotted an American Robin singing loudly, suggesting territorial defense in a prime location near water and dense tree cover. Its presence hinted at its fitness, contrasting with robins in less ideal urban settings. Nearby, a Black-capped Chickadee chirped from a parking lot tree, defending what seemed like a less desirable territory due to its sparse habitat. This observation hinted at the bird's adaptability and its ability to thrive even in less optimal conditions. Though I didn't get a close-up look at nests, I imagined the robin gathering sticks and feathers, possibly from nearby wooded areas, while the chickadee might scavenge materials from urban environments, highlighting their resourcefulness in nest-building despite differing habitat requirements. In addition to the familiar species, I encountered newcomers like the Red-winged Blackbirds, also contributing to the noisy spectacle, possibly for mating or territorial purposes.

Date: April 10, 2024
Start Time: 12:00 PM
End Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Centennial Woods, Vermont
Weather: Partially cloudy, warm temperature, 58°F, light breeze from the northwest
Habitat: Mixed Forest: Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, Eastern White Pine, Red Pine, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, Paper birch, Yellow Birch, American Beech
Observations:
Northern Cardinal (1)
American Crow (4)
American Goldfinch (1)
Brown Creeper (1)
Downy Woodpecker (1)
Black-capped Chickadee (3)
Tufted Titmouse (1)

Date: March 21, 2024
Start Time: 3:30 PM
End Time: 4:30 PM
Location: Centennial Woods, Vermont
Weather: Partially cloudy, chilly temperature, 24°F, moderate breeze from the northwest
Habitat: Mixed Forest: Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, Eastern White Pine, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, Paper birch, Yellow Birch

As I make my routine walk through Centennial Woods, I am greeted by several year-round inhabitants of the forest. I am easily able to recognize the soft and sweet “fee-bee” call of the Black-capped Chickadee and the sharp “cue cue cue, cheer cheer cheer, purty purty purty” repetitions of the Northern Cardinal. Unlike the other birds that share the forest in the warmer seasons, the Black-capped Chickadee and the Northern Cardinal have adapted to the harsh winters and stick around all year. These birds have developed specific physiological and behavioral adaptations to thrive in the area year-round. One of their key adaptations is their thick plumage, which helps insulate them against the cold. During particularly harsh weather, these birds puff up their feathers to create insulating air pockets and seek shelter in dense vegetation to shield themselves from the wind. Additionally, these birds store food in various hiding spots, ensuring a steady food supply even when resources are scarce. Moreover, being foragers by nature means that their diet is relatively flexible, switching between eating seeds and berries to insects and fruits can ensure there is always enough to eat.
By this point in the season, migratory birds like the American Robin start showing up. The American Robin migrates south for the winter, where it's warmer. When winter arrives food becomes scarce. So, robins fly south where they can find more abundant food supplies. In the winter months, American Robins can be found as far south as Mexico and the Gulf Coast. But now, as spring temperatures gradually begin to increase, these migratory birds return to the north to find adequate locations to build nests. As the snow melts, and the ground thaws, more food becomes available, providing sufficient sustenance to fuel the return trip. Arriving early not only gives the return migrants early access to a plentiful supply of food but also the first choice of nesting sites. On the other hand, early return migrants are susceptible to early spring temperature fluctuations.
As I stopped to count all the return migrants of the forest, I began to wonder how far these birds were flying to return home. While I was in the forest I counted three American Robins. Acknowledging there is no way to know exactly where these birds are flying from, I decided to calculate the total flight distance to the southern tip of Florida +/- 1,600 miles as American robins can be found migrating as far south as Chihuahua, Mexico. The total distance for just the three-return migratory American Robins is approximately 4041miles +/- 1,600 miles as the crow flies. Thinking about the total flight distance for a one-way return flight is absolutely mind-blowing, considering there are hundreds of migratory birds in this forest alone.

Date: March 7, 2024
Start Time: 4:00 PM
End Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Centennial Woods, Vermont
Weather: Partially cloudy, Cool temperature, 52°F, light breeze from the northwest
Habitat: Mixed Forest: Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, Eastern White Pine, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, Paper birch, Yellow Birch

As I walked through the forest of Centennial Woods, I noticed that my birdcall identification has vastly improved compared to the beginning of the semester. I can now confidently recognize and identify various species without having to see the bird. For example, I could hear the cheerful cheerio cheeri-e cheerio cheeri-e of an American Robin, somewhere above me in the forest. Although I couldn’t see the bird, I captured an audio recording of the American Robin’s call.
The warmer spring temperatures allowed me to observe a couple of other species, such as a Northern Cardinal and a Tufted Titmouse. I listened to a call from a Northern Cardinal. When I returned, I conducted some research and learned that the specific call I heard was a “chip” call which is used in response to territorial invasions, when predators approach nests, and when excited. When comparing the plumage of the Northern cardinal and Tufted Titmouse, it is easy to recognize the differences in coloration between species. Looking into the differences in coloration a bit deeper, the Tufted Titmouse's muted gray and white plumage provides effective camouflage in woodlands, aiding in foraging and predator avoidance, while the Northern Cardinal's vibrant red coloration, helps to attract mates which contributes to increased reproductive success. The plumage of both species helps increase the relative species’ fitness, given their character traits. As I observed the individual birds, I noticed that the Northern Cardinal decided to rest while the Tufted Titmouse began to engage in foraging activities. These behaviors seem on par with what I imagine the rhythm of the birds' day to be.
When I came across a small foraging flock of chickadees I attempted to solicit some “pish” calls to attract their attention. However, I quickly learned that the effectiveness of "pishing" to alter bird behavior relies on the individual's ability to produce a convincing enough sound to mimic alarm or distress calls. Unfortunately, when I attempted the “phish” call, the small foraging flock of chickadees was driven away.

Date: February 23, 2024
Start Time: 4:00 PM
End Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Centennial Woods, Vermont
Weather: Mostly sunny, Cool temperature, 43°F, light breeze from the northeast
Habitat: Mixed Forest: Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, Eastern White Pine, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, Paper birch, Yellow Birch

As I walked through the forest of Centennial Woods, I was greeted by several bird songs. I was immediately able to identify the Black-capped Chickadees by its distinct chick-a-dee-dee-dee song. I looked up and saw the Black-capped Chickadee perched on a small branch about 6 feet above me. As I continued, I spotted a Northern cardinal perched on an Eastern Red Cedar and I heard the harsh call of the American Crow as it soared above the tree line. Compared to the last time I visited; it seems like the warmer temperatures affect the birds’ liveliness. The warmer temperatures made it much easier to spot birds. I stopped to think about the techniques birds use to stay warm in the winter. After conducting some research when I returned to campus, I learned that Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, and American Crow all employ different techniques to produce and retain body heat. The Chickadees, for instance, fluff up their feathers to create insulating air pockets, while the Northern Cardinal relies on their plumage for warmth. The larger American Crow may use communal roosting to share body heat during the night. In terms of budgeting time, these birds engage in a delicate balance of feeding, resting, breeding, and sleeping. The Black-capped Chickadees are active foragers, often caching food for later use. Northern Cardinals may focus on foraging for seeds and fruits, adapting their diet to the seasonal availability of these resources. Whereas, the American Crow, being omnivorous, scavenges for a variety of food items, contributing to its adaptability. As I walked through the forest of Centennial Woods, I counted six dead snags and observed the presence of cavities, which have the potential to be a shelter or a nesting site for a bird. I noticed that the greater the snag size often corresponded to a larger cavity size. I used a fallen branch to knock on the side of a cavity-barring snag to see if I could determine whether any inhabitants were nesting in the cavity. I was unsuccessful in provoking any critters from the tree cavity. Snags are important in providing shelter and nests to species, especially in the colder months of the year. Moreover, cavities can provide protection from predators. According to my research, nuthatches, chickadees, and woodpeckers are most likely to utilize tree cavities.

Date: February 8, 2024
Start Time: 11:00 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Mount Mansfield State Forest, Vermont
Weather: Cloudy skies, Cool temperature, 38°F, light breeze from the northwest
Habitat: Mixed Forest: Red Spruce, Balsam Fir, Eastern White Pine, Red Maple, Northern Red Oak, Mountain Paper birch

As I walked through the forest and observed the ecosystem around me, my focus quickly centered on two species: the Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) and the Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). The Tufted Titmouse displayed quick, direct wing beats with short glides in between. Its wings when flapping, produced a smooth and even motion, with the occasional pause during glides. After performing some additional research, I learned that this flight style allows them to navigate through dense vegetation and trees efficiently. Similarly, the Black-capped Chickadee displayed short, quick, and fluttery wing beats, often accompanied by rapid changes in direction. Both species appeared to have elliptical wings, which are broader and rounder, which enables both species to have precise control when maneuvering in tight spaces in the forest. Both species primarily feed by foraging, hopping from many different twigs and branches of trees, where it is beneficial to be nimble and have precise control. The relationship between wing shape, flight style, and habitat niche became evident during these observations.
Understanding these flight patterns is crucial for bird identification. In the future, if I encounter a bird with quick and direct wing beats, I might infer that it could be another ground-foraging species like the Tufted Titmouse or the Black-capped Chickadee. Seeing a live demonstration of how these species move about in a natural habitat helped me to generate a more comprehensive understanding of each species. I will be able to use this knowledge in the future to compare and contrast other species’ flight movements.
Overall, this birding experience was met with relatively low bird activity. This could potentially be influenced by the inclement weather. Birds, especially smaller species, might be seeking shelter and avoiding extensive flights. Exploring the same area during a clearer day or during dawn and dusk when bird activity tends to peak could yield better results. Additionally, venturing deeper into the forest with more tree diversity could increase my chances of observing more bird activity.