Field Journal #5

Camilla Sucre
Field Journal 5
Date: 5 April 2021
Start time: 1:00 pm
End time: 2:30 pm
Location: Salmon’s Hole, Burlington, VT
Weather: 54 deg F, NNW 20 mph wind, no precipitation (sunny/partly cloudy)
Habitat: Water body, forest, brush
Species observed: M+F Common Merganser (3), American Robin Downy Woodpecker, Ring-billed Gull, Song Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch
When thinking about the species I observed today and their migratory patterns, I know that American Robins are here in Vermont year-round due to their evolution to the cold weather (such as their plumage that can endure precipitation as well as cold temperatures). American Robins are capable of staying south of Canada all year, and some can migrate even further south, near Mexico (Mini activity: 2600 miles from Burlington to Mexico *will all be added in later paragraph).
Another species observed today was the Ring-billed Gull, which is a southern migrant each winter season (facultative migrant, meaning it essentially has no scheduled migration at a specific time each year). The Ring-billed Gull will travel to southern states in the winter due to increased temperature but is commonly seen in VT around this time of year once early spring occurs. These gulls enjoy being near water, and sadly due to climate change, the ice cover in Lake Champlain has drastically decreased, which allows these gulls to consume and be able to live here for a longer period of time.
The birds I observed today were new (for the most part), so that was very exciting for me to be able to see a Downy Woodpecker, Male and Female Common Mergansers, as well as hearing a Song Sparrow! Highly recommend this area!
Mini Activity: Total mileage from observed species: ~5,600 miles

Posted on April 5, 2021 08:58 PM by