rmarti20's Journal

Habitat:
Park on a road off of spear street, Open feild marshland brush, lighly forested

Time and Date:
5:46 to 7:23 April 29th.

Location:
Burlington, VT.

Weather:
Partly cloudy, 50ish degrees

Found neat park on my run in between some neighborhoods. Chilled there until sunset.
Observations:

Great redwinged blackbird area, they seemed to be the most active today. I love there calls, they bring childhood nostaligia

15-20 red-winged blackbirds
5 crows
3 Ameircan Robins
1 Red tailed hawk

serveral brown colored birds that I could not get a good look at.

Ryan Martin
Norwell Massachusetts
Temperate forest, fileds, residential areas
4-21-24
55 degrees and sunny
12:00 - 1:30

I saw around 20ish robins, 15ish starlings, 10ish black capped chickadees, 10ish tufted titmouse, 15ish house finches,4 song sparrows, and a tree swallow. The tree swallow was on top of a nesting box, nothing was built in there yet. It was cool to see sonthing diffrent.
I saw a lot of robins as always. Male robins can be seen puffing out their chest and singing melodious songs to attract females. Females may choose mates based on the quality of their song and their ability to provide food. Robins typically choose nesting sites in trees, often favoring dense foliage for protection from predators. They might also nest in shrubs or even on building ledges. They seem less picky compared to some birds for where they nest, which may explain why most of the nests I would find growing up would be robins with those blue eggs. I saw some robins singing loudly and staying in brush filled areas, potentially guardian territory. It might have been a poor territory as it was more open and not as high as some may be defending.
A robin defending a territory with abundant food and shelter sources and suitable nesting sites would likely have a prime territory, indicating its fitness and ability to secure resources for itself and potential mates. I saw a lot of starlings too. They seem to reside in more urban areas. I didn't see anyone building nests but it seems they prefer more urban areas as most birds were peched on buildings. Im assuming some of these ledges were territory.

Habitat:
Redstone Campus, including the green and the pine forested area.

Time and Date:
5:15 to 6:30, April 10th.

Location:
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.

Weather:
Rainy and overcast.

Went for a walk around Redstone Campus, exploring the green and the pine forested area.

Observations:

• 23 Robins spotted foraging for worms in the rain.
• 3 Black-capped Chickadees observed.
• Minimal bird calls heard.
• 2 Crows seen, but no other bird species spotted during the outing.

Date: 3/25/2024
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 6:42
Location: Waterfront Bike Path Burlinton VT
Weather: about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, partially cloudy, not windy
Habitat:
The majority of this walk I was on a paved bike path allong the waterfront. Some trees and brush alongside the path. With urbanized, beach, and natural waterfront areas allong the path.

I 4 total robins foraging in the trees for food today. Usually, they scurry on the ground for food, but the ground was still snow-covered. I also saw a Dark-eyed Junco, which I have yet to see on one of these walks. Being near the water, I saw some different birds today. I saw a pair of female Mallards swimming about. And I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls, including one swimming in the wastewater treatment pool right off the waterfront. I also saw a massive Red-tailed Hawk flying above; the photo I took of it was too blurry to make use of. I also saw a chickadee.

On my walk, I did not see any bird species that were definitely migratory in the winter. Some birds like the American Robin and the Ring-billed Gulls may travel south in search of better conditions, but they also may stay here. Gulls may move to more urban areas near water, which is the case in Burlington. But for the sake of the assignment, I drew a map of a hypothetical path of where a gull may travel in search of better conditions and wrote out the mileage. I also did this for the American Robin. The American Robin is an example of a facultative migrant who may come or go. American Robins migrate to escape harsh winter conditions and to find abundant food sources. They return northward in the spring to breed when temperatures warm and food becomes more plentiful. As temperatures rise and daylight hours increase, insects become more active, and vegetation begins to grow, providing robins with more food sources for breeding and raising their young. Also, the presence of suitable nesting sites and breeding territories in Burlington and surrounding areas further facilitates their arrival.

Mini Actvity. I saw that a common migration place for both gulls and robins is florida. This is roughly 1,283 miles point to point. I used the app how far did I run to create a point to point map. I then multiplied 1,283 by the amount of gulls and robins I saw.

The birds I saw all have their adaptations for winter in Vermont. Birds employ various strategies to survive harsh winters in Vermont and similar cold climates. Here's how each of the species you mentioned typically copes with winter conditions: American Robins may migrate southward to warmer regions during the winter. Some individuals may stay in Vermont if they can find sufficient food sources, such as berries, fruits, and insects that might still be available in the area. As I saw today, the robins were feeding on some seeded plant in a tree, there is a low-quality picture with my observation. Birds are tough to photograph with an iPhone. Ring-billed Gulls are known to be adaptable and may migrate southward to coastal areas or stay in open water areas where they can find food such as fish, invertebrates, and scavenged scraps. They may also gather in large flocks in areas where food is abundant, such as near wastewater treatment plants, which is where I saw one today, or other areas with open water and accessible food sources. Red-tailed Hawks are year-round residents in Vermont. They have adaptations such as dense plumage and specialized respiratory systems and the ability to regulate their body temperature to withstand cold temperatures. They also have keen hunting skills and may prey on small mammals, birds, and other animals found in winter habitats. The one I saw today was flying low, maybe in search of prey. Mallard Ducks also are often seen in Vermont throughout the year. During the winter, they may gather in large flocks in open water areas where they can find food such as aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates. They may also feed in agricultural fields if they're accessible. Black-capped Chickadees are well-adapted to winter conditions with thick plumage for insulation. They can also enter a state of regulated hypothermia during extremely cold nights to conserve energy which is really cool. They are also adept at finding food such as seeds, berries, and insect larvae from crevices in tree bark. Chickadees are known to cache food during the fall, hiding it in various locations to retrieve during the winter months when food may be scarce. Probably one of my favorite local birds. The species I saw today really utilize the winter environment up here to try and live well.

Date: 3/25/2024
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 6:42
Location: Waterfront Bike Path Burlinton VT
Weather: about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, partially cloudy, not windy
Habitat:
The majority of this walk I was on a paved bike path allong the waterfront. Some trees and brush alongside the path. With urbanized, beach, and natural waterfront areas allong the path.

I 4 total robins foraging in the trees for food today. Usually, they scurry on the ground for food, but the ground was still snow-covered. I also saw a Dark-eyed Junco, which I have yet to see on one of these walks. Being near the water, I saw some different birds today. I saw a pair of female Mallards swimming about. And I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls, including one swimming in the wastewater treatment pool right off the waterfront. I also saw a massive Red-tailed Hawk flying above; the photo I took of it was too blurry to make use of. I also saw a chickadee.

On my walk, I did not see any bird species that were definitely migratory in the winter. Some birds like the American Robin and the Ring-billed Gulls may travel south in search of better conditions, but they also may stay here. Gulls may move to more urban areas near water, which is the case in Burlington. But for the sake of the assignment, I drew a map of a hypothetical path of where a gull may travel in search of better conditions and wrote out the mileage. I also did this for the American Robin. The American Robin is an example of a facultative migrant who may come or go. American Robins migrate to escape harsh winter conditions and to find abundant food sources. They return northward in the spring to breed when temperatures warm and food becomes more plentiful. As temperatures rise and daylight hours increase, insects become more active, and vegetation begins to grow, providing robins with more food sources for breeding and raising their young. Also, the presence of suitable nesting sites and breeding territories in Burlington and surrounding areas further facilitates their arrival.

Mini Actvity. I saw that a common migration place for both gulls and robins is florida. This is roughly 1,283 miles point to point. I used the app how far did I run to create a point to point map. I then multiplied 1,283 by the amount of gulls and robins I saw. 8981 miles travelled noth in this hypothetical.

The birds I saw all have their adaptations for winter in Vermont. Birds employ various strategies to survive harsh winters in Vermont and similar cold climates. Here's how each of the species you mentioned typically copes with winter conditions: American Robins may migrate southward to warmer regions during the winter. Some individuals may stay in Vermont if they can find sufficient food sources, such as berries, fruits, and insects that might still be available in the area. As I saw today, the robins were feeding on some seeded plant in a tree, there is a low-quality picture with my observation. Birds are tough to photograph with an iPhone. Ring-billed Gulls are known to be adaptable and may migrate southward to coastal areas or stay in open water areas where they can find food such as fish, invertebrates, and scavenged scraps. They may also gather in large flocks in areas where food is abundant, such as near wastewater treatment plants, which is where I saw one today, or other areas with open water and accessible food sources. Red-tailed Hawks are year-round residents in Vermont. They have adaptations such as dense plumage and specialized respiratory systems and the ability to regulate their body temperature to withstand cold temperatures. They also have keen hunting skills and may prey on small mammals, birds, and other animals found in winter habitats. The one I saw today was flying low, maybe in search of prey. Mallard Ducks also are often seen in Vermont throughout the year. During the winter, they may gather in large flocks in open water areas where they can find food such as aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates. They may also feed in agricultural fields if they're accessible. Black-capped Chickadees are well-adapted to winter conditions with thick plumage for insulation. They can also enter a state of regulated hypothermia during extremely cold nights to conserve energy which is really cool. They are also adept at finding food such as seeds, berries, and insect larvae from crevices in tree bark. Chickadees are known to cache food during the fall, hiding it in various locations to retrieve during the winter months when food may be scarce. Probably one of my favorite local birds. The species I saw today really utilize the winter environment up here to try and live well.

Date: 3/8/2024
Start Time: 2:13 pm
End Time: 3:13 pm
Location: Golf Course behind redstone

Weather: 45 ℉, sunny, 4 mph winds from NNW
Habitat:Field, with tall oak and coniferous trees. Some brush along road

List of birds seen
3 x tufted titmouse
10+ chickadees
1 female cardinal
1 male cardinal
6 robins
Birds heard but not seen
White breasted nuthatch
American Crow

I walked for an hour along the road regarding the golf course behind redtsone campus.
Two birds I saw side by side were a black capped chickadee and a female and male cardinal

Northern Cardinal:
Male Northern Cardinals have red plumage, while females have a more muted brown coloration. This is sexual dimorphism and helps in mate selection. The bright red coloration also aids in territory defense and establishing dominance. Cardinals are known to be aggressive defenders of their territory, and the vibrant color helps. The contrast between the red plumage and the green foliage makes the male Northern Cardinal highly visible to potential mates and predators alike. This visibility can be advantageous for attracting mates. The brown coloration of female Cardinals provides camouflage while nesting, helping them blend into their surroundings and reduce the risk of predation.

Black-capped Chickadee:
Black-capped Chickadees have a distinctive black cap and chin, white cheeks, and grayish wings and back. This coloration provides them with camouflage in their habitat which consists of wooded areas and shrubs. The black cap helps in visual recognition among conspecifics and may play a role in establishing social hierarchies within the flock. The white cheeks of the Black-capped Chickadee act as a form of disruptive coloration breaking up the bird's outline and making it more challenging for predators to detect. Their muted coloration also helps them blend into the environment during both nesting and foraging activities; this reduces the risk of predation.

I saw a group of chickadees in some neighbor's shrubs. I tried to pshh pshhl them but I got no reaction. None to my eye. I would assume it works as you are making a familiar sounding noise to the chickadees themselves. Sometimes it may sound like a warning and some birds would leave. You just signal safety and food and attract more little birds. Some calls may mean predator, while others may mean safety. It's also nearing mating season, so some different calls may appear.

Unfortunately the road was busy and the cars started some away. A few stayed and I got a video of that. In the video there are several chickens foraging in the bushes, a female cardinal and tufted titmouse make their appearance too. You can hear the squeaks of the chickadee and some other calls in the background including a white-brested nuthatch.
Video linked on brightpsace

Ryan Martin
Date - 2-25-24
Start time - 10:50
End time - 11:55
Location - Walking Alongside the golf course behind redstone
Weather - Warmer for a february day. In the low 40s, with some wind. There is a cold front coming on tonight but for now it's beautiful
Habitat(s) - Lightly forested land. Some coniferous trees. All other trees still have no leaves. Snow lightly scattered on the grass. Weather has been warmer, the ground is saturated with water. Patches of mud in areas where people and other life have walked and disturbed the land. Some light brush on the outskirts.
The main bird I heard throughout my walk was the tufted titmouse. The “peter peter peter” call is easy to identify. I believe I also heard some chickadees. I did see a pair of tufttifmouse resting upon a branch of a dead snag. I prodded in a hole in the tree to see if there was any life. There seemed to be nothing, probably too early in the day for a bird to be resting. The weather was also getting warmer so birds were out foraging. I did see a male cardinal fly to some leaf litter to search for food. The other bird I saw a lot of was chickadees. They were flying from branch to branch, there were also some down in the leaf litter scavenging. Winter birds prioritize activities differently than in other seasons. Since food sources are limited, most of their time is spent foraging. They search for seeds, berries, insects, and even small vertebrates. This was seen a lot on today's walk. Resting and conserving energy become crucial during the colder months, with less emphasis on breeding and territorial behaviors. Nighttime is often spent roosting communally in dense vegetation or sheltered areas like tree cavities to conserve heat and protect against predators. I walked in the morning so I didn't see any birds nesting in snags. Dead snags play a critical role in winter bird habitats. These standing dead trees provide nesting sites, shelter, and foraging opportunities for a variety of species. The presence of cavities in snags is especially important as they serve as potential nesting sites for birds. The size of the snag may influence the size and availability of cavities, thus impacting bird abundance and diversity in the area. Certain birds like nuthatches and woodpeckers nest in snags more frequently and would be seen more prevalent in areas with a lot of snags. There weren't that many where I walked, and I didn't see either of those birds.

Ryan Martin
2-8-2024
Start: 1:34
End: 2:34

I chose to do my first field observation right outside my apartment. In our complex we have a small grass courtyard. In this area there are many tall old growth trees, alongside some medium growth ones. No brush or shrubbery besides some planted on the far outskirts near the parking lot. The trees are all fairly spaced out and have lost all their leaves. There's some snow scattered about the yard in the shaded areas, with some leaf litter still covering parts of the grass. I sat in our chair overlooking the yard. It was the warmest day of the year so far. The temperature had made its way into the 40s, and the sky was sunny with minimal clouds. There was some wind.

The first bird I saw was a northern cardinal. I was surprised to see one so quickly as I have not seen one in a long time. It was a bright red male, making it incredibly easy to spot. It quickly flew down to the ground. Stayed there for about 10 seconds, and flew off. I did not see it again. The next bird I saw was a tufted titmouse. It had perched briefly on a branch about 10 meters away from me. It stayed there for a moment, then flew to another branch before flying away. I then saw one more tufted titmouse, I at least assume it was a different one as I believe it was smaller. It made some similar movements from branch to branch before flying away. The wind picked up for a bit, I seemed to see and hear less birds for the latter half of the hour. I wasn't able to discern any calls, but there was an occasional noise. The last bird I saw was a black capped chickadee, it perched quickly on a neighbor's porch before flying off. All the birds I saw today were easily identifiable, nothing brown and streaky. I need to get better at deciphering whose calls are whose. Especially as the weather gets warmer. I think I should have chosen a less suburban area and I may have had more birding action. I should have also moved around more. I stayed within a quarter mile radius the whole time.

During flight, mourning doves typically exhibit a characteristic fluttering motion. They change between rapid wing beats and short glides, creating a "whistling" sound as air blows through their feathers. This noise can be used to identify it. They usually fly more slowly than other birds. They are ground feeders and dont need to fly fast to catch prey, they fly close to the ground in search of food. The cardinal I saw today had a short, quick, and direct flight. It flew in a way where it would be able to navigate its forested environment quickie in search of food.