FJ7: Reproductive Ecology and Evolution

Date: April 26th, 2021
Start time/ End time: 1:00-2:30pm
Location: Colchester Bog, Colchester, VT
Weather: 40 degrees F, cloudy and windy
Habitat: Marshy, swampy wetland forest. High-bush Blueberry and Tamarack plant species are common in the area. Common Garter Snakes were identified as well.
Number of Individuals: 37
Species: Black-capped Chickadee (22), American Robin (5), Song Sparrow (7), Downy Woodpecker (1), House Sparrow (1), Tufted Titmouse (2), Northern Cardinal (8).

Black-capped Chickadees were spotted most often in pairs of two. These Chickadees were notably trying to gain attention from their partners as is apparent when noting that one bird, standing alone on a branch, would watch closely as its partner flew circles around the other bird. Tufted Titmouse were identified circling a nest, high in the tree canopy. These birds were calling to one another and seemed to be building the nest simultaneously. The Tufted Titmice were spotted in the forested section of the property, high in the branches of the trees. On the other hand, Black-capped Chickadees are cavity nesters who depend on Downy and other Woodpecker species for their homes.
Northern Cardinals defend their territory by singing from high tree branches. Some other Northern Cardinals will sing from more dense vegetation and therefore are not as desirable to females. Northern Cardinals who are able to project their songs farther and from a more open space are considered more fit by other Northern Cardinals. American Robins build their nests from string and stripped wood they find on the ground and pick up around the forested area.
Mini Activity: After sitting in one location for a period of time and hearing bird audio, Northern Cardinals seemed to surround the perimeter of my area, Black-capped Chickadees would chirp up to the right and left on occasion. Song Sparrows sing from all branches and project their sounds a long distance.

Posted on April 26, 2021 08:04 PM by rebeccashayross rebeccashayross

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Observer

rebeccashayross

Date

April 26, 2021

Description

2 individuals identified.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Observer

rebeccashayross

Date

April 26, 2021

Description

7 individuals identified.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

Observer

rebeccashayross

Date

April 26, 2021

Description

5 individuals identified.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Observer

rebeccashayross

Date

April 26, 2021

Description

2 individuals identified.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Observer

rebeccashayross

Date

April 26, 2021

Description

8 individuals identified.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

Observer

rebeccashayross

Date

April 26, 2021

Description

1 individual identified.

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Observer

rebeccashayross

Date

April 26, 2021

Description

22 individuals identified.

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