Field Journal 3 - Ecological Physiology

Date - March 7, 2021
Start time - 11:55
End time - 1: 35
Location - North Ferrisburgh, VT
Weather - 19° F, 5 mph wind out of the North West, sunny, 75% cloud cover
Habitat - Deciduous forest in addition to edges of hay and corn fields. Woods consist of shagbark hickory, bitternut hickory, red maple, green ash, white ash, American elm, Eastern cottonwood, and one solitary pear tree.

I have noticed that most of these birds will typically wait until midday to be very active in this area. This week I observed birds on the property where I live, so I have noticed a larger pattern with the area than just this one day of observation. During the cold mornings the birds tend to be less active - perhaps laying low to conserve heat or huddling together to keep warm. Once the sun comes out and things start to warm up, the birds become much more active and can be seen flitting between trees and branches. Specifically, the House Sparrows that I observed this time were using one another to stay warm by sticking close together when perched in the tree branches. The birds seem to be budgeting their time by using the warmest periods of the day to be out feeding and then resting and sleeping during the colder periods. I have noticed the American Robins already picking through the dirt in search of earth worms. I have often seen Black-capped Chickadees and House Sparrows on the ground below a tree or bush presumably in search of seeds and berries. At this point in the season, seeds and berries seem to be getting scarce, but the ground is still frozen so bugs and worms seem to be laying low as well. In other seasons, I think the birds’ diet would be filled with these things that are now growing scarce. I imagine these birds would be found spending the night in the branches of trees, perhaps a bit deeper into the forest.

Mini activity - I happened upon two snags throughout my observation. Though there were no birds within the snag, there seemed to be more birds gathered around the snags and they were more active than in other areas. These snags are very important within the ecosystem of the area. Snags/cavities provide a habitat for small creatures to continue to live long after a tree is dead. This also provides a good situation for insects to live and thrive which will provide food for birds eventually. I imagine that smaller species are more likely to utilize these snags and cavities. I believe that Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers tend to live in cavities. Although not a bird, I know that bats sometimes like to spend the daytime underneath the bark of shagbark hickory trees!

Posted on March 8, 2021 09:04 PM by