Journal Entry #5 - George Mason University

Date – 04/05/24
Start time – 12:00 pm
End time – 1:00 pm
Location – George Mason University Nature Conservancy Trail
Weather (temperature, wind speed/direction, precipitation) – About 55 degrees, 15mph wind speed, partly cloudy
Habitat(s) – Protected research deciduous forest, stream edge habitat

This past week I had the opportunity to go down to George Mason University in Virginia for a track meet. I took this opportunity to go on a 1-hour bird walk through some trails I found close to the school. The trails were a similar habitat to what we have a lot of in Vermont, fragmented deciduous forest. There was a small stream running alongside the path. The number of birds I was able to see in the time was significantly more than I've been seeing up in Vermont for obvious reasons.

Something I think is cool about these observations is the fact that almost all of these birds end up in Vermont at some point. Spring is in full effect in Virginia so the forest was full of birds. Being in Virginia allowed me to see a glimpse of what Vermont will look like in the coming weeks and months.

Some interesting things I'd like to note include the presence of the blue jay couple who were nesting in a nearby tree. Also, an Eastern Towhee couple including a male and female, which up until now I have never seen/noticed before. Also the Caroline Wren and Caroline Chickadee which I had never seen/noticed before. It's also always cool to see a Pileated Woodpecker, and this one was actively calling and drilling into a tree.

Posted on April 9, 2024 01:58 AM by lammieli