acshiers's Journal

Field journal: Extra Credit
May 8, 2021
Start time: 8:56
End time: 11:12
Location: Waterfront Park, Burlington VT
Weather: 54 degrees F, 100% cloud cover, wind at 0 mph
Habitats: Lake shoreline and over Lake Champlain, areas of open grassland surrounded by small trees and marshy habitat with cattails, rock ledges near water edge.

Field journal 8: Field Observation
May 3, 2021
Start time: 5:32
End time: 7:55
Location: Shelburne Farm, Shelburne, VT
Weather: 53 degrees F, 30% cloud cover, WNW wind at 5 mph
Habitats: open grasslands with fragmented forest patches, surrounded by the lake nearby.

Field journal 7: Reproductive Ecology and Evolution
April 26, 2021
Start time: 7:48
End time: 9:23
Location: Red Rocks Park, Burlington, VT
Weather: 36 degrees F, 95% cloud cover, NW wind at 16 mph
Habitats: Manages old and young growth forests, neighboring Lake Champlain

Numerous behaviors are being exhibited by birds in regards to breeding season at this time. In terms of visual behaviors, male/female pairs are seen interacting, individuals are sitting still on nesting sites, and aggressive/selective behaviors are exhibited in regards to mate selection and territory defense. For example, male Mallards were observed shaking their heads and flinging them up and down in the presence of a female. This behavior may be related to mate selection by the female. In terms of auditory cues, species have become either aggressive towards other individuals for defense of resources, or exhibit specific vocalizations for attracting a mate. For example, Black-capped Chickadees may be defending their territory with vocalizations that consist of high pitched chirps followed by lower “dees.”

Ideal nesting habitat often varies from species to species. In the location I visited, ideal locations include tree cavities, branches, and shoreline. For some species of passerines and small songbirds, building a nest on top of a tree branch or similar elevated structure is most ideal for them. An example of this would be the American Robin, who creates a very distinct and rather obvious nest filed with bright blue eggs. Their nests could be observed in hemlock or cedar trees in this area that are able to provide year-long foliage as nest protection. Mallards, who are very well camouflaged within vegetation, prefer to nest on the ground near bodies of water. A Mallard nest was observed on land within some reeds near a shallow part of the lake. This allows them to use camouflage to protect themselves and their nest from predators, while being close to food resources and water where chicks will eventually develop. Common Goldeneyes are an example of a species who utilizes snag tree cavities for nesting. This nest site allows them to save energy by using holes remade by piloted woodpeckers, and it provides their nest with great protection from predators and weather conditions until their chicks hatch and are ready to fend for themselves.

I was able to observe a variety of behaviors from some Black-capped Chickadees, as mentioned above, that appeared to be an individual defending a territory through vocalizations. This area of land seemed to be a good territory, a location with lots of cover in bushes and evergreens, pinecones and vegetation for food sources, and water nearby. This spot seemed a bit more ideal than other locations nearby. Because this territory seemed ideal, and the individual was defending it, this may indicate higher fitness for this bird. This is due to its ability to find and properly defend a prime territory against other, less fit, members of its species.

During my observations, I was fortunate enough to observe a male and female pair of Blue Jays building a nest. They chose a spot on a hemlock branch close to the base trunk of the tree for stability and protection. When building this nest, both adults took turns bringing back different materials, primarily small thin sticks. Each bird would fly no more than a dozen yards away in search of materials, where they often scavenged on the ground or picked dead twigs off of nearby cedar trees. This material may be helpful in building a strong structure, but leaves, down, moss, and grasses may be used as good insulation in the nest.

Mini Activity:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15PKl1XHDq8SpuDtvEXee31p5EeFQKW7W/view?usp=sharing

Field journal 6: Field Observation
April 11, 2021
Start time: 1:02
End time: 2:35
Location: Morse Farm, Montpelier, VT
Weather: 72 degrees F, 40% cloud cover, SSE wind at 0 mph
Habitats: Old growth forest, sparse small areas of water and muddy ground.

Field Journal 5: Migration
April 4, 2021
Start time: 9:07
End time: 10:28
Location: UVM Redstone Campus and Burlington Country Club, Burlington, VT
Weather: 34 degrees F, 90% cloud cover, SSE wind at 1 mph
Habitats: small body of water surrounded by cattails/fragmites and small shrubbery, open grassland with small fragments of forested areas and lone trees

A number of year rounds species of birds have been observed in Burlington over the past few weeks. Some of the most prominent ones, species that were seen during this observation, were the Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Black-capped Chickadee, and American Crow. These resident species may not undergo migration as they have adapted to take advantage of different food sources present throughout the year, and choose not to expend vast amounts of energy on migration. For example, looking at a Black-capped Chickadee, they have a small conical shape beak that is well adapted to accessing seeds from conifer species, such as the cones of the Norway Spruce. This allows them to become successful herbivores during harsh weather. White-breasted Nuthatches are also well adapted to the harsh winters of Vermont, as their long, thin beak allows them to access hibernating insects beneath the barks of trees. Residential species are well equipped to access all the resources they may need, allowing them to forgo the energy expense of migration.

Varying facultative migrants were observed as well, with a primary species being the Red-winged Blackbird. At this time in Vermont, males have begun to arrive prior to females to establish breeding territories. A majority of these species travel from the southern and western US (such as NY, MA, CT, RI PA, and NJ) where they may be seen year round, but around 10% of the birds that fill this western VT habitat will forgo migration. During migration, the birds travel northwards to a more ideal breeding habitat with more ample resources. Changes in this breeding habitat may include a warmer temperature, resulting in the regrowth of foliage, awakening of insects, and melting of water bodies where they are often found. Habitat and food supply for these species may occasionally be unpredictable, and drive or prohibit migratory behavior to or from the Burlington area.

An obligate migrant that was observed was the Turkey Vulture. As this species travels northwards to find appropriate breeding habitat, it may come across some advantageous resources in the Burlington area. During this spring time, many manuals and other organisms are becoming more common, and are coming out of winter hibernation. As a result, more carnage may occur, and there will be more food sources for these birds. Additionally, the weather in this area is becoming more warm, but not too warm, providing adequate weather for breeding. On the negative side, foliage and plants are just beginning to grow, limiting potential protection for nesting from predators or environmental factors.

Mini Activity
Total km travelled: 8261 km

Year Round
White-breasted Nuthatch 0 km
American Robin 0 km
American Crow 0 km
Downy Woodpecker 0 km
Blue Jay 0 km
Common Raven 0 km
Black-capped Chickadee 0 km
European Starling 0 km
House Sparrow 0 km
TOTAL: 0 km

Facultative
Dark-eyed Junco 0 - 330 km
Canada goose 0 - 160 km
Mallard 0 - 1538 km
Song Sparrow 0 - 1215 km
American Goldfinch 0 - 1300 km
Red-winged Blackbird 0 - 1135 km
TOTAL: 5678 km

Obligate
Common Grackle 186 km
Turkey Vulture 241 km
Ring-billed Gull 418 km
Cooper’s Hawk 1738 km
TOTAL: 2583 km

Field Journal 4: Social Behavior and Phenology
March 21, 2021
Start time: 9:34
End time: 10:53
Location: Lake Champlain Waterfront, Burlington, VT
Weather: 35 degrees F, 0% cloud cover, SSE wind at 6 mph
Habitats: Lakeshore covering both shallow and open waters, urbanized habitat with sparse trees.

I took a few moments to observe a small group of four Mallards all floating on the lake and traveling in the same direction. in terms of interspecies interactions, it appeared that this species relied on visual cues or soft vocalizations directed between the group. One male would venture off and dabbled down for food. This behavior was observed by another female in the group, who proceeded to travel over to the male and feed there. The rest of the group then followed after visually observing this behavior. This interaction was different then when mallards were observed flying together, where loud vocalizations were heard. It was a bit difficult to discern what these vocalizations may mean, as the small group were only traveling in one direction with no observed physical interaction. However, it could be hypothesized that they were attempting to communicate the direction they wanted to fly, and were trying to keep each member of the group together. The loud volume of the vocalizations may also indicate that they wanted to make their presence known to other mallards in the area.

This interaction was quite different from those of other species, such as the Ring-billed Gull. I was able to observe an interspecies interaction. between two individuals swimming in the lake. There were no attempted interactions between the two. One proceeded to sit in the water looking around, while the other was much more active. It dipped its head into the water, perhaps to feed, and eventually took off flying from the water on its own. Vocalizations were made once in flight, perhaps to find other individuals or make its presence known. I was unable to observe any prominent interactions between two different species, however different vocalizations, such as alarm calls, may be understood between many different types of birds.

Looking at the plumage patterns of mergansers, we can see how the coloration provides a considerable ecological advantage for the species. The male, seen with dark iridescent black and green on its back and white on the underbelly and bottom wings, provides it with camouflage on the water. The darker back and head blends into the dark water surface as seen from a top view, protecting against potential predators The white along the wings may help break up the shape of the bird in rough waters. The white underbelly blends in with the light coloration of the sky as seen from below the surface of the water, helping the bird remain difficult to spot by prey. Females have a much more muted coloration of grey and whites on the body, and a brownish red head. This coloration may help the female camouflage more effectively than the male, allowing her a better chance of survival to protect any offspring or reproductive success of the species.

The plumage of house sparrows that were observed is quite different. Although they exhibit sexual dimorphism, both the male and female have very muted brown and grey plumage. This coloration may help this species camouflage within short shrubbery, bushes, and branches, which is different habitat compared to that of the mergansers. House sparrows also exhibit a slight form of counter shadowing, with underbellies being slightly lighter than the back of the bird, allowing for shadows to make the lighter bottom match the value of the top of the bird. This phenomenon is not as important for the mergansers who spend much of their time on the water, requiring a more stark contrast in coloration between the water and sky.

Returning to the observations of the four Mallards, particular observations were made of a male who explored the area dabbling for potential food underneath the water surface. It was swimming alongside two females and one other male, and proceeded to leave the group by a few feet and dabble, before returning back to the group. this behavior fits into circadian rhythm cycles in a few ways. During the day, metabolic processes increase, accounting for increased activity and feeding behavior. This light provided from the sun has caused the Mallard to be more active and alert, as the pineal gland receives the light and the hypothalamus regulates all metabolic activity through neurotransmitters. When looking at circannual cycles, it can be observed that this Mallard would be in the process of vernal spring migrations to reach breeding grounds. This would require high energy to complete this activity efficiently.

Mini Activity -
Spishing attracts birds for a number of different reasons, and can be really effective at drawing birds out of hiding. It can be most productive in a fairly open area with vegetation that provides cover for different species. This sound primarily attracts small birds, such as Black-capped Chickadees due to curiosity, and other species will often follow the smaller birds check out the situation. Another possibility for why spishing attracts birds is due to defense. The sounds may be interpreted as aggression, as it mimics alarm calls that are often made when a threat is nearby. This results in small birds to flocking together to investigate and drive off the potential threat. Although this method may be effective, it should be used sparingly as it promotes stress in different species. Although defense is the main hypothesis, spishing also resembles the sounds of many insects, potentially attracting insectivores to the area in search of a potential meal.

Field Journal 3: Ecological Physiology
March 8, 2021
Start time: 9:03
End time: 10:42
Location: Centennial Woods, Burlington, VT
Weather: 19 degrees F, 10-20% cloud cover, NNW wind at 3 mph
Habitats: forested areas, including pine, deciduous, and border near aquatic habitat

Birds, at the moment, are trying to limit the amount of energy being spent in response to the limited availability of food. In order to do this, their activity will be reduced. Resting and sleeping will increase, while behaviors such as singing, which is very energy consuming, will dramatically decrease. As the cold temperatures and harsh weather conditions make survival difficult for many organisms, birds must adapt their diet to allow them to take advantage of any available nutrients. Species such as White and Red-breasted Nuthatch will peck under the bark of trees in search of dormant insects overwintering. Robins were observed near crabapple trees, where they can feed on the dried fruits. Crossbills use their uniquely adapted beaks to pry open pine cones and access the seeds. Other species of birds utilize a caching technique. Black-capped Chickadees will quickly gather large amounts of seeds at one time, and store them away to access later. Species will utilize any human-given food sources as well, such as bird feeders and suet blocks that provide essential fats and energy to help get them through the winter.

In the harsh cold of winter, birds have a number of different behavioral and physiological mechanisms that are used to maintain a warm body temperature. In my own observations, I observed a behavioral technique, where a male Northern Cardinal had his feathers fluffed up to create extra air pockets. This action retains heat and creates an extra form of insulation for the bird. Some species of songbirds utilize the warmer, microhabitat found in tree cavities, and they often utilize huddling as well to shield from the elements and generate more trapped heat. Apteria are areas of a bird where no feathers grow, resulting in large quantities of heat to be lost from them. The most prominent ones we can observe are the feet. To keep these areas warm, some species will tuck their legs under their insulated wings, either from standing on one leg, or laying on their sternum.

Species such as Tufted Titmice and Black-capped Chickadees prefer to overnight inside the hollows made in snags. This allows for enhanced thermoregulation during harsh temperatures. Multiple individuals of these species will tend to huddle together within the cavities to increase the amount of heat generated. Dense vegetation also provides a welcoming area to overnight for many songbirds, providing them with some insulation, shelter, and protection from predators.

Mini activity:

Over the course of my experience I was able to identify a total of 14 snags near the trail through Centennial Woods. Each snag was primarily made from a once living White Pine tree, and contained anywhere from 3 to 18 cavities created by birds. It was seen that there were often more rounded, smaller cavities present in regards to only a few large rectangular ones. This illustrates that Downy or Hairy Woodpeckers may either be more present than Pileated Woodpeckers in the area, or that Pileated Woodpeckers rely on snags less than the other aforementioned species. There was also a distinctive relationship between snag size and cavity abundance. The smaller the size of the snag, the less cavities were present. This may likely be due to the time the snag has existed within the forest. Over time, the snag may have decomposed and disintegrated more, causing more insects to feed, and therefore an increased bird presence on that snag compared to a taller one. This trend was also observed in cavity size, where the cavities were larger in the short snags. This may similarly be as a result of time, or perhaps species presence. If these larger cavities were created solely by Pileated woodpeckers, we can note a relationship between smaller snag sizes and an increased Pileated Woodpecker preference. However, these larger cavities may be as a result of repeated use over time. Species such as squirrels and chickadees often enlarge cavities created by woodpeckers in an effort to access other parts of the snag or create a viable shelter for overnighting. This would be evident in the smaller snags as they are most likely a bit older than the others, allowing more time for cavities to be made and then widened in the future.

Tapping on any of the snags unfortunately did not result in any bird sightings from inside. However, during observations, a White-breasted Nuthatch was seen inside a natural cavity at the top of a snag produced from a decaying pine tree. It was seen rummaging through leaf matter, perhaps in search of insects for food. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was also observed on a broken branch protruding from a snag. It appeared to also be foraging for insects, but underneath bark instead. Although these individuals were not observed within the snag cavities themselves, it is important to reflect on how different species can benefit from the presence of snags and their variable functions. We can see that snags provide a welcoming shelter for many species looking to overnight and avoid harsh weather conditions and predators. These cavities can also serve as nesting locations for many songbirds as well during the breeding season. Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice are primary species that use snags for shelter, but sparrows, finches, and other small song birds also utilize these spaces for the same reason. As observed, snags can also provide a great habitat for insects, and therefore great food sources for many different species of birds. Holes present throughout all snags, both circular and rectangular, are clear evidence of woodpecker activity from a range of species. Both species of nuthatch were observed foraging along the surface of the snags as well, confirming the importance of snags as a potential food source. Other species within the ecosystem also benefit from snags, where squirrels will utilize woodpecker cavities, and the decaying wood will provide a habitat for many insects and fungal species.

Field Journal 2: ID and Flight Physiology
Feb 20, 2021
Start time: 9:05
End time: 10:53
Location: UVM Campus, Burlington, VT
Weather: 19 degrees F, 70-80% cloud cover, NW wind at 5-10mph
Habitats: open areas with lone trees and buildings, suburban neighborhoods, forested areas

Observing the flight pattern of a House Sparrow is much different from that of a Ring-billed Gull. When looking at the House Sparrow, their wing flaps are very frequent and frantic during flight as they try to maneuver around their environment. The particular group of House Sparrows I was observing often moved locations in one small shrub to another, utilizing their elliptical shaped wings to easily change flight direction and speed to navigate their habitat. The Ring-billed Gull on the other hand exhibited very different behavior and flight patterns. The individuals that were observed primarily coasted through open air, with only very occasional wing flaps and no change of direction in flight. Their high aspect ratio wing shape allows them to efficiently glide long distances through the air, navigating their habitat consisting primarily of open spaces and lengthy travel.

Wing shape, flight style, and habitat niche are all very clearly related to one another. When looking at very specific habitats, often inhabited by particular species of birds, they may require specialized modes of transportation. For example, when looking at grassy fields and open habitats, species may benefit from being able to travel distances with high speed. This will allow them to efficiently travel throughout their habitat, and easily catch prey species such as flying insects and quickly avoid predators. However, a dense forest would demand a very different form of movement in order for a species to survive. Many obstacles and tight barriers require species to be able to maneuver with great control in both direction and speed of flight. This would allow them to fly efficiently and both find food or escape predatory species with ease.

Looking further into these relationships, wing shape often dictates the flight style of a given species of bird. For example, expanding on previous examples, an open field habitat requiring fast speed, would most likely contain species with a high speed wing. This wing shape, most notably containing a very fine and sharp wing tip, allows a bird to travel very quickly throughout the air with great ease. This adaptation would allow bird species to thrive in open areas with flying prey species, as they have the capabilities to take advantage of these available resources. On the contrary, species with elliptical wings will have very different flight capabilities. The short and wide wing shape allows a bird to have excellent maneuverability within the air, giving them great control over speed and movement of their flight. Species with this wing shape will often be found in densely forested habitats, that, as previously discussed, require species to have such great maneuverability to navigate their habitat and survive within it.

The mini activity was very interesting, as it really forced me to pay attention to very nitty gritty details of the species of bird that I would have previously overlooked. I really enjoyed taking the time to understand the integrate characteristics of the bird that make its species distinct from others, and I hope this will have evolved my identification abilities in the future.

Downy Woodpecker Sketch:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C93xe6DrzmTV6rbOjC6LIZf9vMDKlk-8/view?usp=sharing