tjkeegan's Journal

Date: 4/4/21
Time: 4 pm - 5:30 pm
Location: The Salmon Hole on the Winooski River
Weather: Sunny, clear skies, 56 degrees, slight breeze
Habitat: Riparian habitat

This birding trip went exceptionally well, and I was able to see a wide variety of species. One of the species I observed which is a year-round resident is the Black-capped Chickadee. These birds forego migration as they are small and unable to fly long distances. They are able to survive in the winter because their feathers provide insulation for their body and because they are able to find shelter in tree cavities and other small holes. Similar to Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice are also a small, year-round species here, and they survive winters by hoarding food while their feathers provide sufficient insulation to stay safe from cold temperatures. I also observed many American Robins, and I noticed that although these are certainly a year-round species which I saw throughout the winter, they seem to be more active now that it has gotten warmer. American Robins are able to survive the winter by being nomadic and moving around in search of food and to avoid areas hit too hard by things such as heavy snowfall. A species which I observed that is a facultative migrant is the Double-crested Cormorant. I had not seen any Cormorants throughout the winter, and I was very excited to see one at the Salmon Hole. I expect that Cormorants have recently migrated back to Burlington from somewhere in the southeast United States, where they would have spent the winter to avoid harsh conditions such as heavy snow and cold temperatures. Since it has recently gotten warmer here in Burlington, the Winooski River is a perfect habitat for these Cormorants, which like rocky and sandy shores. I also observed some Common Mergansers, which I would consider to be obligate migrants, as they are expected to migrate South in late fall and back North in early Spring. This coincides with my observations throughout the semester, as I had not seen any throughout the winter but am now seeing multiple during early spring. This migrant arriving in Burlington in early April can be helpful for controlling fish populations in the water bodies where they are present, as Mergansers are considered to be keystone predators.

Frequent Flyer Activity:
Double-crested Cormorant - Double-crested Cormorants have migrated about 1000 miles from their wintering locations in the south.

Common Merganser - Common Mergansers have migrated about 400 miles from their wintering locations further south.

Since the other species I observed are all year-round in Burlington, the total distance added between the species would be about 1400 miles.

Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Date: 4/19/21
Location: Colchester Bog
Weather: 57 Degrees F, partially cloudy, slight breeze
Habitat: Bog habitat surrounded by mixed hardwood/softwood forest habitat

Colchester Bog was a good spot to bird today, with plenty of birds observed along with some other wildlife including garter snakes and chipmunks. While in the bog, I spotted multiple Northern Cardinals, and I continued to hear more throughout the walk in the surrounding woods. Also abundant were Black-capped Chickadees, some of which coming very close to me (I used the spishing technique, which seemed to work fairly well). The beautiful song of a Song Sparrow was clear to hear, even though there were Cardinals and Chickadees making noise as well. Other species observed while in the bog area include two Canada Geese which I heard from a distance, as well as an American Crow (which I also only heard). In the surrounding woods area (and field just outside of the woods), I observed two American Robin, 4 Tufted Titmice, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 House Sparrow, and 3 Downy Woodpeckers.

Time: 6:00pm - 7:30 pm
Date: 4/18/20
Location: The Salmon Hole, Winooski
Weather: 52 degrees F, partly cloudy, slight breeze
Habitat: Riparian Habitat

Species: Double-crested Cormorant (2), Herring Gull (15), Canada Goose (2), Red-winged Blackbird, American Crow (3), American Robin (1), Common Merganser (2), Song Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-capped Chickadee (3), Northern Cardinal.

On April 18th, I decided to go to the Salmon Hole to bird, and I also brought a fishing pole with me so I could take some time to relax and enjoy the sunset. This turned out to be a great birding trip, and I saw and heard lots of different species, both while I was walking and while I was standing still to fish. In terms of mate selection and territory selection, I spotted a pair of Common Merganser, one male, and one female, which were moving upstream past me while I was fishing, and then turned around and returned back to the area where I first saw them. I had also observed a pair of Mergansers in this same spot on the river a few weeks before this, and I wondered if it was the same pair, and if they were protecting this strip of the river as their territory. If so, I would consider this to be a relatively poor territory, as it was right in a section of river where what appeared (and smelled) to be a waste-water drainage pipe was flowing into the river, making the water smelly and murky. If this is truly a poor territory, it may be indicative of poor fitness of these Mergansers. I also noticed a Double-crested Cormorant diving for fish in the main pool at the entrance to the park, again in the same location where I had previously spotted a Cormorant. I wondered if this was the same Cormorant, and if it was protecting this territory. If this Cormorant was indeed protecting this territory, I would consider this main pool to be prime territory, as the pool is a popular fishing spot with seemingly good water quality as compared to other areas of the river. I noticed lots of small fish jumping out of the water in this area, further demonstrating this pool's ability to be considered a prime territory. In order to defend a prime territory as such, this Cormorant must have relatively high fitness compared to the other competing birds in the area. The Herring Gulls I observed in the area, if not flying, were in areas along the rocks next to the river where short vegetation was nearby. This small vegetation seems to be preferential for their nesting habitat, and I assume that the birds would not have to fly much further from this general area to find things such as bones, feathers, grasses, and vegetation to build their nests. I also wondered about the nest selection of the Red-tailed Hawk I spotted flying overhead. I assumed it must be nesting in a different area with taller trees, though it may have been in the Salmon Hole area to find materials to build its nest such as pine needles, bark, and twigs.

MINI ACTIVITY: I am unsure of how to add a picture to this journal entry, but I will describe the sounds I heard while standing still and fishing slightly downstream from the main pool. I was fishing on the South side of the river, facing North. The most prominent song I heard during this time was that of a Red-winged Blackbird, which was just across the river from me. This was a loud and clear song, so the quality of the sound was considered to be high. To my East, I was able to hear a Song Sparrow's song coming from the area of the main pool. This song was much quieter, though it was fairly easy to pick out, so I would consider it to be medium quality. I heard two Canada Geese to my Northwest, and a few minutes later in the same direction, I heard (and saw) three American Crows. I also heard what I believed to be a Cardinal, and this song was coming from the Southeast. I would rate the quality of this sound as poor because the song was at a much slower tempo than I normally hear from Cardinals and it was hard to pick out. I heard very vaguely the (Hey Sweetie) song of a Black-capped Chickadee coming from the East, and when I walked back this way to leave, I spotted three of them. I would rate the quality of this sound as medium because although quiet, it was easy to pick out the species.