sollevy's Journal

Date: 04/28/2024
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Burlington, Vt (Clarke st → Redstone Green)

Species List (some audio identification only)
Northern Cardinal: 4 individuals
American Crow: 4 Individuals
Tufted Titmouse: 2 individuals
House Sparrow: 12 individuals
American Robin: 7 individuals
Black-capped Chickadee: 12 individuals
Ring-billed Gull: 9 individuals
Killdeer: 1 individual
Chimney Swift: 2 individuals

This expedition allowed for exciting observations of species I had not yet seen on one of my birding adventures, including the Killdeer and Chimney Swift. The killdeer was a very pleasant surprise as I was in a more urban area, which is a habitat they are less found in. The main behavior that I saw across species relating to mate selection were the songs of the male birds designed to attract potential mates. The two species I observed participating in this behavior most frequently were the Northern Cardinal and House Sparrow, two of the most commonly seen and recognizable bird species found throughout the state.
Taking a deeper look into the bird species I observed shows a diverse variety of nesting selection methods. One particular nesting method which I was able to observe up close, was one utilized by the Black-capped Chickadee; cavity nesting. This species is known to use already available cavities in trees or even man-made structures to build their nests within. The nest I was able to observe was located in a dry drainage pipe to a newly built apartment, and provided a perfect opportunity to view this nesting method. Another species I observed that utilizes similar methods is the House Sparrow, as they are also known to make nests in previously found cavities, natural or not. A species showing an entirely separate nesting behavior is the Ring-billed Gull. These medium-to-large birds nest on the ground, often close to a large body of freshwater. They are also a species that nests in colonies that can grow to thousands and thousands of individuals. Most territorial displays noted relied on the persistent call or song of certain species, most prominently the House Sparrow. This is a species that can thrive in urban areas as their flexible diet provides ample food opportunities. For this reason, I would define most of these defended territories as small but prime areas as the large population prevents territorial claims of larger areas.

Mini-activity:

Date: 05/04/2024
Time: 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Location: West End, Portland, ME

Species List
Black-capped Chickadee: 11 individuals
American Robin: 11 individuals
American Crow: 9 individuals
House Sparrow: 5 individuals
Ring-billed Gull: 18 individuals
Ovenbird: 1 individual

Solomon Levy
WFB2300

Field Journal 4: A Morning Walk Through The North End - 3.26.2024

Time: 11:00 - 12:00
Conditions: Slightly overcast in the beginning, sunny skies by the end / low-medium winds / 45ºF to 50ºF
Location: Beginning On Clarke st. → through Elmwood cemetery → Roosevelt Park → Pomeroy Park → Ending back at Clarke st

Species List:
American Crow - 16
House Sparrow - 3 (all male)
American Robin - 2
Northern Cardinal - 6 (some identifications only from call)
Black-Capped Chickadee - 11(some identifications only from call)
European Starling - 1
Unidentified Hawk - 1

One of the aspects I appreciate most about this class is the fact that it has really opened my eyes up to the different types of life constantly found around me. As a result, I have begun to notice all the unique species that can be seen and heard simply around my neighborhood in Burlington. Due to this and the fact that my previous field journals had been completed in more wooded and secluded areas, I thought taking advantage of the large population of birds found throughout the city of Burlington was a good way to change up the scenery and potentially species found during my outings.
Surviving the cold Vermont winters is achieved by a number of different methods throughout the year-round species that I was able to observe. The American Crow, one of the most abundant year-round species, relies mainly on roosting in large numbers in confined trees / spaces as a way to survive the extremely cold night. This roosting is an example of a behavioral adaptation that allows individuals to share and conserve body heat and energy for winter survival. Black-capped Chickadees are another year-round species I was able to observe, and rely on different mechanisms to survive throughout the winter. The first of these is their ability to induce a hypothermic state which allows their metabolisms to slow down as a result of cooled body temperatures, so that energy can again be conserved.
While European Starlings can be year-round species, they often will undergo shorter distance migrations to escape the cold and food insecurity of the winter months. These migrations bring them to the states found in the central and southern United States. Their migration back to Burlington is triggered by the changing day lengths, and coincides with the greater availability of food and resources found in Vermont in the spring. (Mini-actvity → between 950 - 3000 miles!)

Field Journal 2
Date - 2/18/2024
Start time - 11:00am
End time - 11:55am
Location - Meredith, NH → rural, forested neighborhood
Weather (temperature, wind speed/direction, precipitation) - Wind 8-12mph, 25℉, mix of sun and clouds

Habitat(s) - Deciduous and Coniferous forest, large lake system nearby

I decided to take advantage of being out of town for the weekend, as I was staying in a heavily wooded part of Meridith, New Hampshire, which is a small town located on the edge of Lake Winnipesaukee. We arrived early on saturday morning and as we drove in I heard all sorts of birds, giving me the idea to take my walk the next morning before I had to leave. My walk turned out successful as I was able to observe many of the species i've learned in lecture up to this point. The first few birds I was able to see and hear were a group of, what I believe to be, a few ravens perched in the trees right off the side of the backroad on which I was walking. I believe they were ravens as opposed to crows due to the tail of the one in which I could see best appearing less squared-off / fanned then that of the crow. My next observation was awesome, as its a bird I have seen only rarely previous to this, an American Robin. It was easy to identify as its brick-red underbelly and black top immediately stuck out. I was able to see it from up-close as it rested in a bush about 10 yards from me for a minute or so before flying off into a further tree. It was a great bird to observe and I felt like no matter what else I would see, it was a success! Throughout the rest of my walk I was able to identify a couple different Dark-eyed Junco individuals, as well as a female cardinal in the upper-levels of a tree. The last bird I saw was in a small bush directly out front of the house in which I was staying, allowing for a wonderful view of a beautiful and plump male House Sparrow! His harsh chirp and black bib made him fairly easy to identify.
Almost all of the birds I saw that were not in flight appeared to have their feathers filled out and “plumped”. This is one of the most common ways evolution has allowed birds to stay warm in the winter, as they use their feathers and fat reserves built up in the warmer months to insulate and trap body heat. I believe that the American Robin is one of the species that utilizes shivering as a method to increase their metabolism and therefore body temperature in the winter. This is a method used to stay warm by many other active bird species, but requires ample food storage built up in earlier months as it requires significant amounts of energy. Crows are birds that will use flocking methods to stay warm, as large gatherings of them in a small condensed area allows for the circulation and sharing of body heat throughout the groups individuals. This means that at night, these crows most likely congregate and flock to certain trees with large numbers of other crows and even species. Cardinals and American Robins are other species that I observed on my walk that I believe also utilize similar flocking methods and also congregate in communal trees to stay warm at night. Some birds like nuthatches and woodpeckers will use the cavities of trees as insulated places to keep warm, but I do not believe any species I observed do so.

Solomon Levy
Field Journal 1 - Oakledge Park
Date - 2/9/2024
Start time - 1:30pm
End time - 2:50pm
Location - Oakledge Park, Burlington VT
Weather - Warm day (45-50 ℉), Mostly Sunny with few clouds, Medium winds (7-10mph)
Habitat(s) - Coastal Lake shrubbery and bushes, Deciduous Forest

On a beautiful and warm Friday I decided that going by the lake in an area that also contained brush and a mostly deciduous forest would be an apt place to find some of Vermont's all season birds. Although not shocked, I was disappointed to find that Oakledge park was pretty crowded, making me worry about how many opportunities I would have to get closer observations. Initially I thought I had chosen a poor location as I found there to be a real lack of birds and wildlife in general. Eventually I found myself in a more secluded area of the park (by the treehouse), which was much quieter and more densely packed with trees and plants.
My initial observations came purely from hearing different calls and songs, as visibly locating the birds was challenging for the first bit of my excursion. The first song that I was able to recognize was that of the Black-Capped Chickadee. I was not able to identify one visibly, but their distinct song was more than enough to confirm their proximity around me.
My next observation was a quite exciting one for me! We had recently learned about the fluttery and quick call of the European Starling, and while walking close to the water I heard something that sounded very similar to this. After a few minutes, I saw what I believe to be the European Starling! The bird was about 20 feet above the tree line and in the brief glimpse I saw of it, the flight had a straight / soaring pattern. It seemed to be the right size for this bird type, and had the speckled pattern specific to European Starlings.
The other birds I was able to identify by sound were the Northern Cardinal, and the White-breasted Nuthatch. Both of these birds have fairly unique and recognizable songs, and feel confident in my identification of them. I was also able to see a White-breasted Nuthatch, identifying it by the bright white underbelly, and blueish / gray back. They were perched on a tree about 50 feet from me for unfortunately only around a minute before taking a fluttery flight path off into the distance.