March 3, 2020 Woodside Park Field Observation 2

On March 3, 2020 at 10:15 AM I was at Woodside Park to go birding. The weather was warm at a temperature of 51º F, low winds, and somewhat cloudy with visible sun. Woodside Park is a rich floodplain hardwood forest with the Winooski River passing through. In addition, temperatures in Chittenden County have been rising causing snowmelt to occur leaving more exposed ground and open water for birds. Overall, three distinct areas were observed which included: the opening trail, the phragmite marsh, and the river bend edge where 23 species and 98 individuals were observed over a 105 minute and 2.15-mile duration.

Along the opening trail, there was a rich array of trees (silver maple, black willow), shrubs (common buckthorn, elderberry), and snags. Along the trail, snags were prevalent having different cavities size and shape. Cavity size and shape were based on species such as pileated woodpecker having larger oval cavities, while downy and hairy woodpecker have smaller more circular cavities. Cavities create great nesting and roosting sites for observed bird species such as Black-capped Chickadee, Downey Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch. When engaging in the Mini-Activity by probing cavities with a stick no birds emerged. Since it was a warm day these birds likely left the thermal comfort of their cavities to search for food resources. In addition, two flyover events were observed. First was a Belted Kingfisher that was flushed out and flew towards Saint Mike’s Natural Area giving rattling inflight calls. The second flyover event was a side by side view of a Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle with no visible signs of interaction. This was a good side by side comparison with the smaller beige body and red tail of the Red-tailed Hawk and the larger black body and white head and tailed Bald Eagle. Past the opening trail marked the phragmite marsh.

The phragmite marsh was surrounded by an upland oak patch where surface and stream waters flow into the marsh. Bird activity at the edges of these habitats was present and was seen by the interaction of a Blue Jay and a Red-winged Blackbird. Since it was warm both these individuals were about searching for food resources with the Blue Jay kicking up leaf litter for acorns and the Red-winged Blackbird searching through plant material and early emerging insects. As these species came close proximity to each other at the edge of these habitats they soon began to call at each other. During the winter, birds typically are less territorial and aggressive due to scare availability of resources in order to preserve energy. However, as spring arrives less energy is needed to thermal regulate and more food resources prompting birds to perform more energy-expensive behaviors such as defending territories. Another example is songs that are needed to prepare for the breeding season and were seen by Northern Cardinal, House Finches, and Black-capped Chickadee. In addition, a pair of Mourning Doves were found preening each other, another energy-expensive behavior for the breeding season.

Moving on I arrived towards a river bend of the Winooski River. At the river bend, more sunlight was present along with open water. The Winooski River started to lose its ice cover allowing more available habitat for waterfowl such as Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, and Canada Geese. The Hooded Merganser and Canada Geese were on the water in a cove basking and periodically performed feeding behaviors. However, the Common Merganser was on the ice standing basking warming its body and was keeping its legs warm through counter-current exchange. Adjacent the river bend there was an upland disturbed area with staghorn sumac, speckled alder, and eastern white pines. Within the staghorn sumac and speckled alder were great food resources for Eastern Bluebird, American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee. Perching on top of the sumac fruits Eastern Bluebirds and Black-capped Chickadees were actively feeding, alongside the American Goldfinches feeding on the catkins of speckled alder. As spring approaches these birds, especially Eastern Bluebird, will later adopt more insects into their diet, yet now will consume more fruit. Moving further inland there was eastern white pine stand where feeding Eastern Bluebirds, American Goldfinches, and Black-capped Chickadees did retreat to when spooked. Other birds observed in these pines were Brown-Creeper, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, and Downy Woodpecker. Lastly, a flyover event occurred at this area with a flock of crows and European Starlings. Twenty-four American Crows were seen with the lone addition of a Fish Crow! The Fish Crow was much smaller in size by nearby American Crows and gave one distinctive high-pitch nasal call.

Overall this was a great day showing an interesting shift in bird behavior of less conservative energy-expensive behavior to more charismatic behaviors. Seeing more diverse species, active feeding, territorial behaviors, breeding, and social displays, and flyover events prepare Vermont and me for all the new migrants. Soon enough these birds will be fully active and showcase the best they have to offer in the next upcoming month. Today was a great showcase of Vermont’s avian communities.

List of Birds Observed

Canada Geese- 2
Hooded Merganser- 1 (male)
Common Merganser- 1 (female)
Mourning Dove- 2 (male and female “most likely breeding pair”)
Bald Eagle- 1 (adult male)
Red-tailed Hawk- 1
Belted Kingfisher- 1
Downy Woodpecker- 4 (1 male and three female)
Hairy Woodpecker- 2 (two female)
Pileated Woodpecker- 1 (male)
Blue Jay- 3
American Crow- 24
Fish Crow- 1
Black-capped Chickadee- 14
Tufted Titmouse- 4
White-breasted Nuthatch- 5
Brown Creeper- 1
European Starling- 8
Eastern Bluebird- 2 (male “bright colored” and female “dull colored” maybe “breeding pair”)
House Finch- 9 (5 male and 4 female)
American Goldfinch- 4
Red-winged Blackbird- 2 (2 male)
Northern Cardinal- 3 (2 male and 1 female)