February 11, 2020 Oakledge Park Field Observation 1
On Sunday 11, 2020 at 1:00 PM I went to Oakledge Park in South Burlington for birding. On the day of observation, there were clear skies with little clouds, about 15 feet of ice cover from the coast, a southward wind, and a temperature around 20º F. The area that was explored was a small cove near an adjacent diverse tree stand. With two different habitats, there was two different distinct bird communities observed at the cove and the tree stand.
The cove consisted of the open waters and cliff edges of Lake Champlain. Bird species observed were duck species, Ring-Billed Gull, and a Bald Eagle. The duck species that were found were Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, and Mallards. Common Merganser and Common Goldeneye are both diving ducks and were seen diving close to the shoreline feeding in close proximity to each other. Another duck species found was Mallards, a dabbling duck species, and were found near diving ducks. Mallards were in close proximity to Common Mergansers, yet the Mallards did not follow Common Mergansers as they ventured further out in the open water. Mallards stayed close to the shoreline not feeding and were in tight rafts appearing to be sharing body heat.
Two other species observed in the cove were a Ring-Billed Gull and Bald Eagle. These species were both separate flyover observations both going north over Lake Champlain towards Burlington. These species could be identified by appearance and flight patterns. Ring-Billed Gull was identified by yellow legs, black ring around the bill, and small size compared to other native gulls. These gulls have a high aspect ratio wing shape with black tips on the primaries. These wings allow these gulls to maintain lift for gliding in high winds which they were seen during the flyover event with intermediate wing beats. The Bald Eagle was an adult marked by its white head, yellow bill and legs, and a large dark brown body. Bald Eagles have slotted high lift wings where the outer most primaries act as individual airfoils reducing drag to the individual slotted feathers. The seen Bald Eagle performed forceful wingbeats against the south wind.
At the tree stand there was Staghorn Sumac, White Oak, Eastern White Pine, Dogwood, and Common Buckthorn providing habitat for a different distinct community of birds that were not seen at the cove. Birds seen were songbirds, Downy Woodpecker, American Crows, and Red-Tailed Hawk. The songbirds were Black-Capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-Breasted Nuthatch, and Cedar Waxwings. These songbirds were found in a mix species flock along with Downy Woodpecker. The only birds seen out of this mixed-species flock were Black-Capped Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker. Tufted Titmouse “Peter Peter” and White-Breasted Nuthatch “Wha-Wha” call notes were heard and could not be seen for they were on a private fenced out land. Despite the fence breaking up the mixed species flock Black-Capped Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, and Downy Woodpecker were moving back and forth between the fence.
The most abundant of this mixed flock were Cedar Waxwings. Most likely this was a separate flock of Cedar Waxwings sharing this area with these other resident birds. Cedar Waxwings were identified for their silky yellow feathered appearance, yellow and red waxy appearing feathered tips, a black mask, and a crest. Cedar Waxwings were not in flight for long durations and were flying between branches of Common Buckthorn and Staghorn Sumac. Cedar Waxwings have elliptical wings, which as observed were are beneficial in allowing for movability between tree branches looking for Common Buckthorn Fruits to eat. Another notable group of species was the American Crows and the Red-Tailed Hawk. The American Crows were found mobbing the Red-Tail Hawk by calling and chasing after it. The Red-Tail Hawk flew away from the American Crows and perched in an Eastern White Pine. This was a great first birding trip for UVM Ornithology Project seeing a total of twelve species.
Species Observed
- Mallards (21)
- Common Goldeneye (22)
- Common Merganser (8) 5 males and 3 females
- Ring-Billed Gull (3)
- Bald Eagle (1)
- Red-Tailed Hawk
- Downy Woodpecker (1) female
- American Crow (8)
- Black-Capped Chickadee (3)
- Tufted Titmouse (1)
- White-Breasted Nuthatch (2)
- Cedar Waxwing (32)
