cliazos's Journal

On March 3, 2020 at 10:15 AM I was at Woodside Park to go birding. The weather was warm at a temperature of 51º F, low winds, and somewhat cloudy with visible sun. Woodside Park is a rich floodplain hardwood forest with the Winooski River passing through. In addition, temperatures in Chittenden County have been rising causing snowmelt to occur leaving more exposed ground and open water for birds. Overall, three distinct areas were observed which included: the opening trail, the phragmite marsh, and the river bend edge where 23 species and 98 individuals were observed over a 105 minute and 2.15-mile duration.

Along the opening trail, there was a rich array of trees (silver maple, black willow), shrubs (common buckthorn, elderberry), and snags. Along the trail, snags were prevalent having different cavities size and shape. Cavity size and shape were based on species such as pileated woodpecker having larger oval cavities, while downy and hairy woodpecker have smaller more circular cavities. Cavities create great nesting and roosting sites for observed bird species such as Black-capped Chickadee, Downey Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch. When engaging in the Mini-Activity by probing cavities with a stick no birds emerged. Since it was a warm day these birds likely left the thermal comfort of their cavities to search for food resources. In addition, two flyover events were observed. First was a Belted Kingfisher that was flushed out and flew towards Saint Mike’s Natural Area giving rattling inflight calls. The second flyover event was a side by side view of a Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle with no visible signs of interaction. This was a good side by side comparison with the smaller beige body and red tail of the Red-tailed Hawk and the larger black body and white head and tailed Bald Eagle. Past the opening trail marked the phragmite marsh.

The phragmite marsh was surrounded by an upland oak patch where surface and stream waters flow into the marsh. Bird activity at the edges of these habitats was present and was seen by the interaction of a Blue Jay and a Red-winged Blackbird. Since it was warm both these individuals were about searching for food resources with the Blue Jay kicking up leaf litter for acorns and the Red-winged Blackbird searching through plant material and early emerging insects. As these species came close proximity to each other at the edge of these habitats they soon began to call at each other. During the winter, birds typically are less territorial and aggressive due to scare availability of resources in order to preserve energy. However, as spring arrives less energy is needed to thermal regulate and more food resources prompting birds to perform more energy-expensive behaviors such as defending territories. Another example is songs that are needed to prepare for the breeding season and were seen by Northern Cardinal, House Finches, and Black-capped Chickadee. In addition, a pair of Mourning Doves were found preening each other, another energy-expensive behavior for the breeding season.

Moving on I arrived towards a river bend of the Winooski River. At the river bend, more sunlight was present along with open water. The Winooski River started to lose its ice cover allowing more available habitat for waterfowl such as Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, and Canada Geese. The Hooded Merganser and Canada Geese were on the water in a cove basking and periodically performed feeding behaviors. However, the Common Merganser was on the ice standing basking warming its body and was keeping its legs warm through counter-current exchange. Adjacent the river bend there was an upland disturbed area with staghorn sumac, speckled alder, and eastern white pines. Within the staghorn sumac and speckled alder were great food resources for Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee. Perching on top of the sumac fruits Eastern Bluebirds and Black-capped Chickadees were actively feeding, alongside the American Goldfinches feeding on the catkins of speckled alder. As spring approaches these birds, especially Eastern Bluebird, will later adopt more insects into their diet, yet now will consume more fruit. Moving further inland there was eastern white pine stand where feeding Eastern Bluebirds, American Goldfinches, and Black-capped Chickadees did retreat to when spooked. Other birds observed in these pines were Brown-Creeper, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, and Downy Woodpecker. Lastly, a flyover event occurred at this area with a flock of crows and European Starlings. Twenty-four American Crows were seen with the lone addition of a Fish Crow! The Fish Crow was much smaller in size by nearby American Crows and gave one distinctive high-pitch nasal call.

Overall this was a great day showing an interesting shift in bird behavior of less conservative energy-expensive behavior to more charismatic behaviors. Seeing more diverse species, active feeding, territorial behaviors, breeding, and social displays, and flyover events prepare Vermont and me for all the new migrants. Soon enough these birds will be fully active and showcase the best they have to offer in the next upcoming month. Today was a great showcase of Vermont’s avian communities.

List of Birds Observed

1. Canada Geese- 2
2. Hooded Merganser- 1 (male)
3. Common Merganser- 1 (female)
4. Mourning Dove- 2 (male and female “most likely breeding pair”)
5. Bald Eagle- 1 (adult male)
6. Red-tailed Hawk- 1
7. Belted Kingfisher- 1
8. Downy Woodpecker- 4 (1 male and three female)
9. Hairy Woodpecker- 2 (two female)
10. Pileated Woodpecker- 1 (male)
11. Blue Jay- 3
12. American Crow- 24
13. Fish Crow- 1
14. Black-capped Chickadee- 14
15. Tufted Titmouse- 4
16. White-breasted Nuthatch- 5
17. Brown Creeper- 1
18. European Starling- 8
19. Eastern Bluebird- 2 (male “bright colored” and female “dull colored” maybe “breeding pair”)
20. House Finch- 9 (5 male and 4 female)
21. American Goldfinch- 4
22. Red-winged Blackbird- 2 (2 male)
23. Northern Cardinal- 3 (2 male and 1 female)

eBird Checklist
https://ebird.org/checklist/S65396018

On March 23, 2020 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM I hiked 4 miles at Broad Meadow Brook Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary to go birding. The weather was cold at a temperature of 29º F with cloudy skies and snow coming from the west. Broad Meadow Brook is a 400-acre hardwood oak and red maple forest located in the city of Worcester, MA making it the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in Massachusetts. One of the most notable features is the Broad Meadow Brook tributary that runs through the sanctuary that acts as part of the headwaters of the Blackstone Watershed. At Broad Meadow Brook 30 species and 383 individuals’ birds were observed at three notable locations which include: Frog Pond Trail, Wilson Meadow Swamp, and Heron Pond.

Frog Pond Trail is a transitional area from oak forest to red maple swamp consisting of vernal pools. In addition, this trail marks the edge between the sanctuary and the surrounding residential housing. Spaced between two radically different habitat Frog Pond Trail acts as an edge habitat for birds. Along the edge thorn bushes and red maples hosted House Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, House Finches, and Northern Cardinals. The very active mixed flock was all concentrated along a 50 m stretch of the trail with shade provided by the red maples and brush and nearby bird feeders from the surrounding residential housing. Some notable bird behaviors were exchanged between themselves and myself. In the thorn bushes House Sparrows and House Finches were giving audible calls to each other. These birds were evenly spreading themselves apart from one another with some being the aggressor and some being the submissive. This was seen in both male House Finch and House Sparrow where those with the males with the darker red or black chest splotches were agonistic to lesser pigmented conspecifics. However, as I came closer to observe this interaction with the House Finches and House Sparrows a Carolina Wren gave an alarm call. Hiding the wren was alerting all nearby birds of my presence as a possible threat. Giving this alert call to this mixed species flock is a benefit in flocking which allows for increased predator vigilance. Sadly being on the short end of this behavioral stick the Carolina Wren’s alert calls called for the dispersal of this rich flock.

Moving on from Frog Pond Trail I arrive at Wilson Meadow Swamp. Here marks the end of the transition of an oak forest to a flooded red maple swamp and beaver pond. Active beaver and muskrat have built dams and lodges allowing for flooding of Broad Meadow Brook to make an extensive flooded marsh area. This swamp act had standing snags, speckled alder, bigtooth aspen, red maple, and plenty of brush cover. With all of these habitat features this acts as ideal breeding location for Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle. Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles were everywhere calling from the sky and perched on every snag. Overcast made it hard to identify each individual, yet there was at least over two-hundred of both species. Preparing for the approaching breeding season both these species are here in large numbers claiming territories and potential mates. This phenomenon can be explained by these bird’s circannual cycles. Circannual cycles control these birds to perform key behaviors throughout the year such as a breeding determined by length of daylight. As spring as arrived officially and daylengths are growing these birds are physiologically responding to this change in daylength and are responding to migrating north to places like Broad Meadow Brook to prepare for breeding. In addition, other species at Wilson Meadow Swamp are present awaiting to breed such as Mallards, Canada Geese, Wild Turkey, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow, American Robin, and Red-Shouldered Hawk.

Moving away from Wilson Meadow Swamp I moved to Heron Pond. To get to Heron Pond I trekked over a powerline trail created by National Grid. Along the powerline was short grassland meadows with sweet fern and small gray birch and cherry saplings. Flyover events by American Crows, Common Raven, Pileated Woodpecker, and Mourning Doves were observed here. In addition, an Eastern Bluebird was found perch in the samplings and retreated to the adjacent forest stand we threatened. Later on, I soon approached Heron Pond by going through a Gray Birch stand. Here I tried to use phishing to call in some nearby birds. Phishing mimics a Black-capped Chickadee alert call to a predator making other songbirds take notice of the threat. Phishing worked for me getting the attention of Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, and American Goldfinch.

Moving on I approached Heron Pond which is a manmade isolated pool which acts as a rookery site for Great Blue Herons. Sadly no herons were seen but Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, Hooded Merganser, Mallards, Eastern Phoebe, Northern Mockingbird, and Coopers Hawk were seen. The male wood ducks were stunning showcasing bold patterns of a green head with hints of yellow and red to advertise the reproductive health of these breeding males. In contrast, the female wood ducks were dull showcasing cryptic coloration to reduce threat of detection by predators when they nest later on in the season. These sexual dimorphic traits better suite the different roles of these wood ducks. However, in some species such as Eastern Phoebe do not exhibit this sexual dimorphism in plumage. Both male and female Eastern Phoebes have a black back and white belly possessing counter shading. Countershading is a protective plumage that dark dorsal plumage is cryptically blending into the ground and the lighter ventral plumage is cryptically blending into the sky allowing for the avoidance of detection. Unlike the Wood Ducks, the Eastern Phoebe priorities the need for avoidance rather than for reproduction and cryptic coloration.

This was a great day of birding showing the readiness for the breeding season seen in the growing number of bird species and behaviors. Most notable for me out of this experience was the Cooper’s Hawks. These Cooper’s Hawks have been returning to this location annually for a breeding site. Usually I am here to see them rear offspring, yet now I was able to see them cooperate building a nest. Similar to these Cooper’s Hawks building a nest the birds of Broad Meadow Brook and the northeast are in the early portion of the breeding season waiting for the rearing of offspring. I cannot wait to see and observe this entire breeding season from nest to fledging.

Species Count

1. Canada Geese (18)
2. Wood Duck (8)
3. Mallard (27)
4. Hooded Merganser (2) both lone males
5. Wild Turkey (7)
6. Mourning Dove (2) flyover
7. Cooper’s Hawk (2) breeding pair
8. Red-shouldered Hawk (2) breeding pair
9. Downy Woodpecker (2)
10. Hairy Woodpecker (3)
11. Pileated Woodpecker (1) flyover
12. Eastern Phoebe (2)
13. Blue Jay (3)
14. American Crow (8) flyover
15. Common Raven (1) flyover
16. Black-capped Chickadee (18)
17. Tufted Titmouse (2)
18. White-breasted Nuthatch (4)
19. Carolina Wren (1)
20. Northern Mockingbird (1)
21. Eastern Bluebird (1)
22. American Robin (7)
23. House Sparrow (32)
24. House Finch (12)
25. American Goldfinch (5)
26. Dark-eyed Junco (6)
27. Song Sparrow (4)
28. Red-winged Blackbird (100 underestimate)
29. Common Grackle (100 underestimate)
30. Northern Cardinal (1)