Bird Walk 2/16/2020
We began at the trail head to Centennial Woods at 11:05 on 2/16/2020. We immediately observed a red-tailed hawk in a tree across the street from the small pond on Catamount Drive. It rested in the tree for about a minute, then with a couple flaps of its wings, it moved to another branch on the tree. At this point, the bright red of its tail was apparent. After about another minute, it flew off. Its wing movements were relatively slow and graceful compared to smaller birds, as one wing beat moved a considerable amount of air.
Not very far into the woods we heard a high-pitched whistle call, followed by the sight of a female northern cardinal on a nearby bush. Soon a male alighted on a branch near her. After about a minute, they both flew off to another tree. They had a somewhat undulating flight pattern and did not fly a far distance. Farther in the woods we stopped walking in the middle of the marsh as a mixed flock of black-capped chickadees and tufted titmouses entered the area. The chickadees darted among the tops of the trees, using their wings only to hop short distances between branches. After a little while of staying still, the chickadees began to sing as the entire group slowly moved on.
On the way out of the woods, we observed an American crow flying fast over the woods. Its wings moved in fast, rhythmic rowing motions as it sped through the air. As we left the woods, we noticed a large flock of European starlings calling and flying between trees. The starlings had swooping flight patterns and long periods of gliding with out-stretched wings. At times, their gliding would be broken up with a burst of rapid wing beats or a single flap. Like the chickadees, members of the flock were constantly moving between trees and branches, but their flight patterns were quite different. The starlings often moved great distances between their two perches, while the chickadees did not. The chickadees barely ever glided, and seemed to use their wings only to facilitate their hops.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)Observer
natalya-hDescription
1 male, 1 female
What
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)Observer
natalya-hDescription
In mixed flock with Tufted Titmouse
Photos / Sounds
What
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)Observer
natalya-hDescription
In mixed flock with Black-capped Chickadee
Comments
Nice observations and you entered them in well, including the number of individuals observed. One suggestion for the journal in the future would be to discuss the habitat more. Also, you did a good job discussing the various flight styles of the birds you observed but you could try and bring in some terminology or flight specific aspects you've learned in class or readings. Otherwise, solid entry.
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