epbrophy's Journal

Emma Brophy

Date: April 8, 2024
Location: Main St, Burlington, VT
Time: 9:55am- 11:00am
Weather: 49°F, clear and sunny, 9mph wind SSW, no precipitation.
Habitat: Urban street with large trees next to side walks.

Emma Brophy

Date: 4/22/24
Start time: 12:40pm
End Time: 1:40pm
Location: Redstone Campus/Prospect St.
Weather: 45 ° F, 8mph wind with 19mph gusts NNW, sunny, no precipitation.
Habitat: green space with large trees, shrubs, residential area.

Species:
1 Northern Cardinal (male)
1 song sparrow
5 Dark-eyed Juncos
3 Black-capped Chickadees
6 American Robins
1-2 American Crows
1-2 Ring-billed Gulls
3 European Starlings
3 Northern Flickers
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet (male)
1 Tufted Titmouse
4 Common Grackles

On April 22nd at 12:40pm, I took a walk-through Redstone Campus towards Prospect Street. As I got closer to residential areas that had backyards with bird feeders, I notice a greater number birds and variety of species. I specific behavior I noticed was a display of courtship between three Northern Flickers. While I am not familiar with these species, the three of them were bobbing their heads and making a specific wicka-wicka call. After some research I found that this motion is called a “fencing duel” and it is often paired with the specific wicka-wicka call. During this “fencing duel”, the two rivals face each other creating a figure-eight the air with their heads. This type of behavior is seen in early spring and summer. Northern Flickers are woodpeckers, and like most woodpeckers, they nest in tree cavities. Northern Flickers require an opening with 3 inches in diameter and 13 to 16 inches deep and 6 to 15 feet high. The specific tree that I observed them in was an old wide deciduous tree. Based on the size of the tree it is possible that the Northern Flickers were nesting there. I also observed some Northern Flickers in a more heavily wooded area on Redstone Campus with tall old coniferous tree where they could nest in.

Another behavior I noticed was a male Northern Cardinal singing alone on a tall deciduous tree. This is a behavior I have noted before as the temperature has started to warm. This type of behavior is related to nest, mate, and territory selection. Northern Cardinals will choose dense foliage that offer high perches for singing. Male Northern Cardinals will sit atop trees and sing to claim their nesting territory. The Female Northern Cardinals will select their mate based on the male’s territory and their brightness of red. The song Northern Cardinals sing is sung by both males and females and can be heard singing back and forth to grow their paired bond in the early spring and summer. As the days get longer the song gets louder and clearer. For nesting, Northern Cardinals will build their nests in the fork of small branches, using twigs, leaves, bark, grasses, stems, rootlets, and pine needles. The specific Northern Cardinal I saw was quite difficult to find as it was in a dense tree with red berries. This specific Northern Cardinal seemed to be relatively fit, as it chose a territory fulfill its habitat requirements, was a bright red color, and a strong singer.

Another species I observed was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. This bird was smaller than a Black-capped Chickadee. Ruby-crowned Kinglets are migratory birds that inhabit Vermont during their breeding season. Although their common habitat spruce-fir forests, I spotted one in a more residential area feeding on a coniferous tree. Since Ruby-crowned Kinglets like to nest in tall old trees, it is likely that this bird was nesting in the small patch of woods on Redstone Campus that has these tall old trees. For the out part of their nests, Ruby-crowned Kinglets use grasses, feathers, mosses, spiderwebs and cocoon silk. For their inner nest they use fur and fine plant material. All these materials are quite accessible in the location this specific Ruby-crowned Kinglet is nesting it and would not have to travel far.

Emma Brophy

Date: 4/29/24
Start time: 4:30pm
End time: 5:30pm
Location: S Williams St, Burlington VT
Weather: 53° F, 6mph with 13 gusts NNW, partially cloudy, no precipitation.
Habitat: Residential area, backyard, shrubs, and old tall trees.

Species:
3 Common Grackle
1 Mourning Dove
2 American Robins
3 Red-breasted Nuthatches
4 House Sparrows
1 House Finch
1 European Starling
2 Black-capped Chickadees