Field Journal #4

Camilla Sucre
Date: 3/21/21
Start Time: 7:15 AM
End Time: 8:45 AM
Location: Centennial Woods
Weather: 32 degrees Fahrenheit, wind ~6 mph South, no precipitation (sunny)
Habitats: Woods, Forest, Concrete parking areas.

I found that waking up early this morning to bird while the sun was rising was one of the best things ever! After going around sunset and not seeing much activity, it was amazing seeing how while most of campus is asleep, these birds are awake and actively calling/singing and flying around. At the crosswalk in front of the Davis Center, I began to hear and see Herring Gulls flying around communicating with each other. There were about 2 separate times I witnessed Herring Gulls (~11 total were observed). The calls that they made to each other were very entertaining; it seemed as if they were telling the Herring Gulls to follow along and join the others.
Around the area where the garden is behind Jeffords Hall, there was a Northern Cardinal in a conifer nearby. I heard the familiar “pew pew pew” sound it makes while it sat on a branch alone. I assume that the reason the Northern Cardinal was making this noise by itself could be for possibly making itself known and using it as an attempt to “scare” away other birds. The bright red color of the Northern Cardinal’s plumage is due to its diet and what it consumes. It makes it a lot easier to spot, aside from its call. I believe that the Northern Cardinal was sat still while making these calls, which could potentially mean that it was resting, but also somehow protecting itself by making the loud noises.
Walking down to the entrance of Centennial Woods, a group of Canadian Geese flew over in a formation, making calls to each other which read to me as the geese hyping each other up and motivating each other. We saw another group doing the same exact thing inside of Centennial. I think the calls to each other also represent good communication between the Canada Geese in staying in formation (~20 Canada Geese observed).
Inside of Centennial Woods, there were about 4 Black-capped Chickadees that were a fair distance away from each other, yet still communicating to each other. Some were using the call that sounds like, “chickadee-dee-dee-dee”, while others sang their notorious “sweeeeetieeee”. I believe that their reason for communication were possibly for letting each other know what is in the area around them, such as other species of birds (I heard a few American Crows also making sound, I just couldn’t spot them.).

Posted on March 21, 2021 06:20 PM by camillamsucre camillamsucre

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

Observer

camillamsucre

Date

February 21, 2021 05:18 PM EST

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Observer

camillamsucre

Date

March 21, 2021 07:19 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Observer

camillamsucre

Date

March 21, 2021 07:20 AM EDT
Birds

Photos / Sounds

What

Manu (Birds) (Class Aves)

Observer

camillamsucre

Date

March 21, 2021 11:35 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Observer

camillamsucre

Date

March 21, 2021 08:30 AM EDT

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