FJ5: Migration

Date: April 5th, 2021
Start time/ End time: 1:00-2:30pm
Location: Salmon Hole
Weather: ~50 degrees F, clear sky
Habitat: Flowing fresh water in heart of urban city
Number of Individuals: ~70
Species: Ring-billed Gull (~60), Common Merganser (3), American Robin (3), Song Sparrow (audio), Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch (2)

American Robins are one species resident in the state year round. These birds have adapted to the colder climates by waterproofing their feathers, lowering the temperature of their feet and accumulating thick down feathers close to their body for insulation. Foregoing a migration for these birds means a severe lack of food availability and drastically lower temperatures than usual.
A facultative migrant such as the Ring-billed Gull has arrived from areas in the southern United States, where the weather has been warmer so the species could more easily survive. Facilitating its arrival in Burlington means there have been warmer overall temperatures here as well as an increased density of vegetation in the area.
Obligate migrants such as the Red-winged Blackbird will soon return to the Burlington area. These birds migrate on a regular schedule each year. The down side to this behavior is that unexpected weather patterns may severely disadvantage the bird if it returns too early.
Winter migrations total about 5,600 miles across the migratory birds identified.

Posted on April 5, 2021 08:31 PM by rebeccashayross rebeccashayross

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Goosander (Mergus merganser)

Observer

rebeccashayross

Date

April 5, 2021

Description

Group of 3 Common Mergansers observed on the water.

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