cliazos's Journal

On April 7, 2020 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM I hiked 2.5 miles at Uxbridge Community Gardens and Soccer Fields in Massachusetts. The weather was warm at a temperature of 60º F with clear skies and westward breeze. Uxbridge Community Gardens and Soccer Fields is a converted agricultural area that has undergone succession. Currently, the area is a meadow filled with invasive thorn species and ornamental bittersweet and a hardwood forest primarily made up of sweet birch and red oak family species. Bird species found were both yearlong residents and migrants of Massachusetts. At Uxbridge Community Gardens and Soccer Fields 26 species and 80 individuals’ birds were observed.

Pulling into the parking lot I was greeted by a singing Northern Mockingbird. Perched on overgrown ornamental bittersweet it was mimicking a singing male Song Sparrow. To my surprise, a rival male Song Sparrow appeared in response to the Northern Mockingbird. As amazing this interaction was, it represents the growing number of migrants traveling north and the start of the breeding season. Massachusetts is unique from Vermont in that some species that are migrants in Vermont are residents in Massachusetts as the Northern Mockingbird. Other notable resident Massachusetts species found included: Mallards, Mourning Doves, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, European Starling, American Robin, House Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, and Northern Cardinal. I visited this location prior on January 10, 2020 and saw all these resident species here. For me, the most notable resident species were the Northern Harriers. On both occasions, January 10 and April 7, I saw two Northern Harriers. The Northern Harrier pair has been able to survive here for there are plenty of resources. Migration is an energy-expensive behavior and being a resident is a more advantageous decision for these Northern Harriers.

Uxbridge Community Gardens and Soccer Fields have enough available resources to sustain this pair and being residents is less energy demanding task than migrating elsewhere. However, the Northern Harriers do face challenges being residents such as securing food resources and withstanding winter conditions. To address food resource security this pair has developed a feeding territory excluding other Northern Harriers and other raptors. There is plenty of food resources as seen by mammalian scat and sightings prey (Mallards, Eastern Chipmunk, Grey Squirrel, Racoons, and Deer Mice). As a response, the Northern Harrier pair were seen soaring at the boundary of the meadows appearing to defend the area and its resources. This can be seen as one of the Northern Harriers did chase off an American Kestrel on April 7, 2020 claiming exclusive usage of the area’s resources. To address harsh winter conditions, they undergo advantageous physiological changes regulated by their circannual cycles.
As daylengths get shorter this promotes Northern Harrier to promote dense winter plumages, reduce breeding behavior, and metabolic activity. Managing food resources and winter conditions Northern Harriers and other species of birds can be resident species in Massachusetts.

Not all bird species cannot be residents for they do not have access to food resources nor withstand winter conditions. Therefore, these species have developed migration routes to sustain themselves during the winter season and return to these resource-rich areas in the summer. Migrant species observed included: Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and Brown-headed Cowbird. Each of these species migrates, yet the scale of migration performed differs by species. Facultative migrants are one type of migrant that can migrant typically short distances, yet can stay in their breeding range. In Massachusetts Killdeer, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird are facultative migrants. These species most likely arrived from southern states from Texas to North Carolina or could have stayed in Massachusetts during the winter. Now in Massachusetts these species are either staying here or migrating further north to breed and use available resources. As the snow has melted and temperatures are rising food resources are becoming more available such as new plant growth and emerging insects. Another type of migrate observed is the Turkey Vulture which is an obligate migrant. Obligate migrants have to migrate and typically long distances and cannot withstand winter conditions of their breeding range. The Turkey Vulture seen most likely came from southern states or even Mexico and is now preparing to breed in Massachusetts or elsewhere in its northern range. Turkey Vultures arriving early can be advantageous for it allows them to establish territories before other rival conspecifics arrive. However, Turkey Vultures arriving early can be disadvantageous for environmental conditions may not be suitable for Turkey Vultures such as temperature and available food resources (carrion). Between all of the migrant species found an average total millage performed was 6600 miles (Turkey Vulture 2200 miles and Killdeer, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and Brown-headed Cowbird each 1100 miles).

Birding today was a unique experience to see Uxbridge Community Gardens and Soccer Fields both during the winter and now in spring migration. It was great to see familiar feathered faces of the Northern Harriers and also the new faces of migrants. Now is still early for spring migrants and as it gets closer to May more and more migrants, especially obligate migrants, will be arriving soon. I cannot wait to see both residents and migrants start to breed and interact with each other. The first interaction of the Northern Mockingbird and the Song Sparrow for me best symbolize the excitement I have for birding this summer.

1. Mallard- 3
2. Mourning Dove- 4
3. Killdeer- 1
4. Great Blue Heron- 1
5. Turkey Vulture- 1
6. Northern Harrier-2
7. Cooper's Hawk- 1
8. Red-tailed Hawk- 2
9. Downy Woodpecker- 2
10. Northern Flicker- 1
11. American Kestrel- 1
12. Blue Jay- 2
13. American Crow- 3
14. Black-capped Chickadee- 2
15. Carolina Wren- 2
16. European Starling- 2
17. Northern Mockingbird- 2
18. American Robin- 12
19. House Sparrow- 3
20. American Goldfinch- 1
21. Dark-eyed Junco- 4
22. White-throated Sparrow- 10
23. Song Sparrow- 8
24. Red-winged Blackbird- 5
25. Brown-headed Cowbird- 2
26. Northern Cardinal- 3

On April 14, 2020 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM I drove and hiked at Westborough Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Massachusetts. The weather was warm at a temperature of 60º F, partially cloudy, and no strong winds. Westborough WMA is a matrix made up of agricultural fields, eastern white pine forests, wetlands and ponds, and human developed areas (lawns and buildings). Besides being a WMA this area is also a recreational area filled with hikers and boaters. Usually, this area has abundant waterfowl and wading birds, yet with three boats on the lake they most likely scared off Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, and Great Blue Heron populations. The most notable finds today were the Vesper Sparrow and the abundance of herps. Driving beside a thicket on the property I saw a Vesper Sparrow marked by a white eye-ring, checkered chest, and beige beak (also has been seen recently). In addition, there was an abundance of Garter and Northern Water Snakes (photographed in journal) basking and ready to prey upon avian offspring later on this season. In total I found 31 species and 140 individuals’ birds at Westborough WMA.

1. Mute Swan – 1
2. Mallard- 3
3. Bufflehead- 2
4. Mourning Dove- 3
5. Killdeer- 2
6. Double-crested Cormorant- 1
7. Coopers Hawk- 1
8. Red-tailed Hawk- 2
9. Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1
10. Turkey Vulture- 1
11. Downy Woodpecker- 3
12. Hairy Woodpecker- 1
13. Northern Flicker- 1
14. Eastern Phoebe- 3
15. Blue Jay- 3
16. American Crow- 1
17. Black-capped Chickadee- 12
18. Tufted Titmouse- 1
19. Tree Swallow- 4
20. Winter Wren-1
21. Carolina Wren- 1
22. Eastern Bluebird-1
23. American Robin- 12
24. House Sparrow- 4
25. White-throated Sparrow- 3
26. Vesper Sparrow- 1
27. Song Sparrow- 12
28. Red-winged Blackbird- 26
29. Brown-headed Cowbird- 2
30. Common Grackle- 32
31. Northern Cardinal- 2

On April 11 from 1 PM - 3PM I went to Squantum, MA and went birding along East Squantum Street starting from Mosswetusset Hummock to Nickerson Beach. It was a warm day at 60º F, scattered clouds, and slight southwest winds. This was a unique area observing coastal salt marshes in a highly developed area near roads and residential homes. The prominent vegetation was common reeds with scattered trees such as pitch pine, oaks, gray birch, and ornamental tree species. Another notable feature was a sand peninsula seen across the bay with little nearby development. Bird species found were looking for mates, nesting, or defending territory. In total there were 20 species identified and 146 individuals found.

Starting at Mosswetusset Hummock this was a small forested red oak family woodlot around .25 square miles. Mosswetusset Hummock is most likely too small to sustain an entire songbird territory, but likely to be a supplement territory where nesting or foraging to occur. Mosswetusset Hummock protrudes out into the bay allowing a better view of the open water and adjacent salt marshes along the coast. Looking at the open water and salt marshes there was flying Double-crested Cormorants and gull species, rafting American Black Ducks and Buffleheads, and fishing egret species. Both Snowy and Great Egrets were observed fishing at least 300 meters away from each other. If an egret, despite the species, came in the vicinity of another egret it was called or chased away. This aggressive behavior indicates that these egrets are defending these salt marshes as territory for the breeding season. These egrets did not perform any breeding behaviors, yet were physically showcasing their reproductive fitness. The Snowy Egret’s yellow and the Great Egret’s green faces were vibrantly colored and both possessed long semiplumes unlike their female counterparts. These egrets are using these salt marshes for nest (common reed and twigs) and food (fish and invertebrates) resources. These egrets are most likely part of a colony and this is a common fishing site. Compared to the rest of the distribution of Snowy and Great Egret colonies in Massachusetts, Squantum is probably considered a poor quality colony. The majority of Snowy and Great Egrets colonies breed at Plum Island or Cape Cod for their plentiful resources and distance from development. Squantum is heavily near human development with disturbance, pollution, and habitat fragmentation. In theory, the Squantum colony is made up of egrets less fit than their counterparts at Plum Island and Cape Cod. These less fit egrets are most likely young reproductive egrets or unfit mature egrets unable to compete with fit mature egrets. Despite the poor quality of territory this colony will still be able to breed and some individuals in following years might be able breed in colonies at Plum Island or Cape Cod.

Moving a half a mile north of Mosswetusset Hummock on East Squantum Street there was a nesting Osprey. Despite the busy calls of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, American Crows, and cars honking this lone mother was incubating her eggs. From contact to another local birder he told me he was able to see at least one egg in her nest prior last week. This Osprey was nesting on a reused four-foot diameter nest made from large twigs and grasses (most likely from Mosswetusset Hummock) built on a human made nest platform. This female has laid her eggs relatively early in the breeding season indicating this is probably a seasoned reproductive female and maybe has nested in the same nest in prior years. While incubating her eggs her mate is most likely finding new nest building material to expand or repair the nest and finding food resources for her and eventually offspring. Osprey offspring are altricial, born without down feathers nor mobile. These offspring will need further incubation from the mother for they cannot fully thermal regulate and the father will provide food resources. In contrast, on the other side of the road there were breeding gulls on the previously mentioned sandy peninsula. Great Black-backed, Ring-billed, and mostly Herring Gulls were seen on the sandy peninsula and in the nearby water there were Red-breasted Merganser and Brant. Some herring gulls appeared to be incubating. Herring gulls unlike Ospreys nest on the ground making depressions in the sand and hide the eggs with grass and debris. Once their eggs hatch their offspring are precocial. Offspring have down feathers and are mobile, yet will still be with parents until they fledge. Despite these two different nesting choices and offspring development they are successful for each of these bird’s different natural histories.

After observing these nesting birds I walked 200 meters to the end of a straight away of East Squantum Street to do my sound map. (Sound Map is attached in this journal as an observation as Unknown Species). For ten minutes I wrote down both visual and audible signs of birds in a 360º view for ten minutes. In an audible range of 200 meters I heard calls from Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Northern Mockingbird, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, gull species, the splashing of a fishing Snowy Egret, peeps of Greater Yellowlegs, periodic screeches of the nesting Osprey, and Brants honking in the distance. Most of these calls were call notes, yet the Northern Cardinal and Song Sparrow were performing songs. These birds were singing continuously demonstrating to receptive females and rival males their reproductive health and claim of territory. Nonetheless these males are ready or in the process of breeding. After ten minutes I went out to search for the birds I heard. I was able to find all of the species I heard and found plenty of Song Sparrows pairs mixed with Red-winged Blackbirds and a lone male Northern Cardinal at Nickerson Beach.

Birds at Squantum are at various stages of breeding. Bird species are either unpaired trying to find mates, defending territory and accumulating food and nest resources, or currently nesting waiting for eggs to hatch. Not only was it great to see so many birds at different stages of breeding, but also so many diverse taxonomic birds breeding. For me my highlight was seeing Song Sparrows, Ospreys, gulls, and egret species all breeding now despite their different natural histories. I cannot wait to continue to see how each of these species progress during the breeding season and hopefully be able to see new offspring in the coming months!

1. Brant- 16
2. American Black Duck- 16
3. Red-breasted Merganser- 7
4. Bufflehead- 6
5. Greater Yellowlegs- 5
6. Ring-billed Gulls- 8
7. Herring Gull- 37
8. Great Black-backed Gull -3
9. Double-crested Cormorant- 7
10. Great Egret- 2
11. Snowy Egret- 4
12. Osprey- 1
13. American Crow- 2
14. European Starling- 4
15. Northern Mockingbird- 2
16. American Robin- 3
17. Song Sparrow- 4
18. Red-winged Blackbird- 12
19. Common Grackle- 8
20. Northern Cardinal- 1

On April 29, 2020 for my last birding observation I decided to have a Big Day trying to identify at least 50 bird species from 9-3 hiking approximately 10 miles. It was a sunny day with clear skies and low winds at a temperatures roughly 50-60 Fº. To accomplish this goal, I went to Westborough Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), and Desert Natural Area all roughly located at the border between Worcester and Middlesex County in Massachusetts. Westborough WMA was the only previous location I have made observations from, while Assabet River NWR, and Desert Natural area were new locations for me. Over this big day I identified 52 species of birds and 276 individual birds meeting my goal and more!

As previous reported Westborough WMA is mosaic made up of agricultural fields, disturbed mixed pine-oak forests, wetlands and ponds, and human developed areas (lawns and buildings). The variety of habitat types made this area ideal to see many different bird species. Starting a 9 AM I drove through the human developed areas to see American Robin, European Starling, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. Looking at all of the lawn birds I then parked my car near the shore of Lake Chauncy to view waterfowl to only see Bufflleheads, Mute Swans, Ring-billed Gull, and a lone Double-crested Cormorant. At 9:30 I then got on call for lecture for WFB 130 till 10:30. After lecture I then resumed birding till 11:00 and saw a total of 31 species and 112 individuals. The most notable mentions were a yellow warbler and savannah sparrows, both cute little yellow birds returning to breed. At noon I then travelled to Assabet NWR in search of warblers.

Assabet NWR is a large natural preserve made up mostly by mature eastern white pine stands and wetlands. Due to the immense size of the preserve birds were heavily spread out and were mostly identify through call. Between the trills of Palm and Pine Warbler in the towering pines I was able to see and hear both and was able to record a Pine Warbler call. Moving through the pines of singing Pine and Palm Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper, and Northern Cardinal I reached Puffer Pond and the general wetland habitat of the refuge. At the wetlands there was an abundance of paired birds. In the snags standing in the water there was a pair of Ospreys with the female sitting on the nest and a male sitting on an adjacent branch. Looking at the water bellow Canada Geese were seen where a breeding pair was grazing with goslings. Astonished to see these breeding a pairs a Sharp-shinned Hawk randomly appeared from the nearby tree stand as seen by round head, square tail feathers, and small body size. Sadly this hawk’s appearance was too random for me to get a photo quick enough. In total from 11:20-2:30 I saw 25 species and 131 individuals.

Lastly, I went to Desert Natural Area eight minutes south of Assabet NWR. Unlike Assabet NWR, Natural Desert Area was a well-drained forest with apparently more tree diversity of not only mature eastern white pines, but also pitch pine, oak species, shagbark hickory, and red maple. From 2:40-3:40 I needed 6 more species to reach 50 species. Walking in I heard the chirps of residential House Sparrows, the rattling of a Belted Kingfisher, the song of a Winter Wren, the drums and squeal of Pileated Woodpecker, the calls of a Tufted Titmouse, and the yelling of some Blue Jays. I have seen Blue Jays at the other locations, yet these Blue Jays were quite persistent. Curious I investigated these insistent Jays to see them mobbing a Barred Owl number 50! Sitting in an eastern white pine facing the sun the barred owl perch hunched over and then was startled and flew away due to the obnoxious Blue Jays with enough time for me to get a photo. Happy at number 50 and it being a long day I hiked back to then see a two Chipping Sparrow hop between overhead branches giving me species 51! In total I saw 15 species and 33 individuals at Desert Natural Area.

My big day was a large success. For me I was proud of meeting my goal, going over my goal, taking photos of nearly half of the species found, and most importantly being able to identify nearly all of these birds by call. As summer foliage approaches I will need to rely more on hearing for identification and glad I used this day as an exercise. I plan to continue to learn more call identifications and hopefully have another big day as more spring migrants arrive. In total these series of observations have been a great learning opportunity and I still plan to continue birding and now share my findings on iNaturalist and other citizen science platforms.

Big Day April 29, 2019 9:00- 3:30 List

1. Canada Goose- 24
2. Mute Swan- 2
3. Wood Duck- 2
4. Mallard- 9
5. Bufflehead- 2
6. Mourning Dove- 3
7. Ring-billed Gull- 4
8. Double-breasted Cormorant- 1
9. Great Blue Heron- 3
10. Turkey Vulture- 1
11. Osprey- 2
12. Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1
13. Red-tailed Hawk- 1
14. Barred Owl- 1
15. Belted Kingfisher -1
16. Red-bellied Woodpecker- 3
17. Downy Woodpecker- 7
18. Hairy Woodpecker- 1
19. Pileated Woodpecker- 1
20. Eastern Phoebe- 4
21. Blue Jay- 12
22. American Crow- 4
23. Black-capped Chickadee- 24
24. Tufted Titmouse- 1
25. Tree Swallow-36
26. Barn Swallow-4
27. White-breasted Nuthatch- 6
28. Brown Creeper- 1
29. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher- 1
30. Winter Wren- 1
31. Carolina Wren- 1
32. European Starling- 3
33. Northern Mockingbird- 1
34. Eastern Bluebird- 1
35. Hermit Thrush- 1
36. American Robin- 7
37. House Sparrow- 3
38. House Finch- 3
39. American Goldfinch- 8
40. Chipping Sparrow- 2
41. Savannah Sparrow- 6
42. Song Sparrow- 10
43. Swamp Sparrow- 1
44. Eastern Towhee- 2
45. Red-winged Blackbird -27
46. Brown-headed Cowbird- 3
47. Common Grackle- 19
48. Palm Warbler- 2
49. Pine Warbler- 6
50. Yellow Warbler- 1
51. Northern Cardinal- 7

Westborough WMA April 29, 2019 9:00-9:30 and 10:30-11:00 List

1. Canada Goose- 2
2. Mute Swan- 2
3. Bufflehead- 2
4. Mourning Dove- 3
5. Ring-billed Gull- 4
6. Double-breasted Cormorant- 1
7. Great Blue Heron- 1
8. Turkey Vulture- 1
9. Red-tailed Hawk- 1
10. Downy Woodpecker- 1
11. Blue Jay- 1
12. American Crow- 1
13. Black-capped Chickadee- 3
14. Tree Swallow-24
15. Barn Swallow-4
16. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher- 1
17. Carolina Wren- 1
18. European Starling- 3
19. Northern Mockingbird- 1
20. American Robin- 5
21. House Finch- 3
22. Savannah Sparrow- 6
23. Song Sparrow- 7
24. Swamp Sparrow- 1
25. Eastern Towhee- 2
26. Red-winged Blackbird -14
27. Brown-headed Cowbird- 3
28. Common Grackle- 10
29. Yellow Warbler- 1
30. Northern Cardinal- 2

Assabet NWR April 29, 2019 11:20-2:30 List

1. Canada Goose- 22
2. Wood Duck- 2
3. Mallard- 9
4. Great Blue Heron- 2
5. Osprey- 2
6. Sharp-shinned Hawk- 1
7. Red-bellied Woodpecker- 2
8. Downy Woodpecker- 3
9. Eastern Phoebe- 3
10. Blue Jay- 7
11. American Crow- 3
12. Black-capped Chickadee- 10
13. Tree Swallow-12
14. White-breasted Nuthatch- 3
15. Brown Creeper- 1
16. Eastern Bluebird- 1
17. Hermit Thrush- 1
18. American Robin- 2
19. American Goldfinch- 8
20. Song Sparrow- 3
21. Red-winged Blackbird -13
22. Common Grackle- 9
23. Palm Warbler- 2
24. Pine Warbler- 5
25. Northern Cardinal- 7

Desert Natural Area April 29, 2019 2:40-3:40 List

1. Mourning Dove- 1
2. Barred Owl- 1
3. Belted Kingfisher -1
4. Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1
5. Downy Woodpecker- 3
6. Pileated Woodpecker- 1
7. Eastern Phoebe- 1
8. Blue Jay- 3
9. Black-capped Chickadee- 20
10. Tufted Titmouse- 1
11. White-breasted Nuthatch- 3
12. Winter Wren- 1
13. House Sparrow- 3
14. Chipping Sparrow- 2
15. Pine Warbler- 1