Journal 3

Emma Brophy

Date: March 8, 2024
Location: Woods near Virtue Field in Burlington, VT
Time: 2:40pm - 3:40pm
Weather: 35°F, clear and sunny, 5mph wind NW, no precipitation.
Habitat: Patch habitat, new growth trees and old growth tress with cleared out areas. Next to golf course.

Species
3 Downy Woodpeckers >2 male
~10 Black-capped Chickadees
1 American Robin
1 Brown Creeper
1 Northern Cardinal

On Friday March 8th, I went to a small patch of woods in-between Virtue Field and the Burlington Country Club golf course. In comparison to Centennial Woods this section of woods was much smaller and less active with birds. There were not as many Black-capped Chickadees, and I was surprised to see three Downy Woodpeckers. The most audible birds in this section were an American Robin and Black-capped Chickadees. As I walked back to my car, I was also able to hear and record a Northern Cardinal in a more residential area. Black-capped Chickadees are very talkative, and I mostly heard their “chickadee chickadee dee call”, which is used when as an alarm, to identify a predator or another flock of chickadees, or a clear call. The amount of “dees” added to the end of the call determines the threat of a predator. “Gargle” calls are also commonly heard and used by dominant chickadee males. They use this when another chickadee is close to them or their food. In one of my observations I identified an American Robin, I was unable to get a recording, but they were doing their “alarm call” this call is to warn predators and claim their territory. I also recorded Northern Cardinal call. This call is also used to warn predators.

One of the birds I observed was a male Downy Woodpecker. Downy Woodpeckers have black wings checkered with white and black and white striped head. They also have a white belly and back. Male woodpeckers have a red patch on the top of their head. Downy Woodpeckers are year-round northern birds and inhabit forest. At a distance Downy Woodpeckers camouflage well with the forest, their pattern of black and white matching the pattern of bark. Up close their plumage can help them seem intimidating towards predators. I watched the woodpecker go up the tree pecking at the bark and moving to the next when it was done. This behavior matched well with what I have previously observed and taken note of from other woodpeckers. They are often found consistently foraging throughout the day.

The second species I observed was a male Northern Cardinal, which has a bright red plumage. The red plumage has a specific advantage to male cardinals, helping them maintain territory and find mates. The redder a cardinal’s plumage is the more advantage they have during breeding season. The bird I was observing was sitting along at the top of a high tree using an alarm like call. As it gets closer to spring the cardinal was likely calling for a mate. While watching he did not seem to be very active indicating that Northern Cardinals may not need to be constantly foraging like species such as Black-capped Chickadees or Downy Woodpeckers.

Mini Activity: While watching a group of Black-capped Chickadees, I attempted to “spishing”, I am not sure if it had an affect or not and I am unsure if I was doing it correctly. I also may have not been close enough for it to affect them. The “spishing” method works because it reflects a small bird noise and similar to an alarming one or call for help.

Posted on March 9, 2024 03:33 AM by epbrophy