UVM Ornithology Field Journal 6
On this field journal I was actually at my grandparents house in Brewster, New York on April 19th 2024. It was approximately 46 degrees Fahrenheit with 12 mph winds off the coast of Tonetta Lake which made it feel a bit chillier. My grandparents also have a couple bird feeder which made bird watching super easy thins time as there are always multiples of birds around them at a time. This time I was able to see a plethora of species including the ones I got photos of, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow, and Black-capped Chickadee. I also saw Tufted Titmouse, Common Grackle, and House Finch but was not able to get a photo fast enough. What was really perfect about this birding spot at my grandparents is they have some bird houses which aligns perfectly with the journal prompt for this week as one bird in particular was starting to build a nest in one. The Black-capped Chickadee was gathering materials as I was watching and bringing it into the birdhouse to build a nest. It also had what I am assuming to be a mate helping it as well as there were two continuously going in and out of the house.
It didn't seem like the Black-capped Chickadees were fighting for nesting territory in the birdhouse with any of the various species listed above. This may be because of the wide range of bushes and shrubs in the yard behind my grandparents house. Many of the sparrows and finches seemed to be hopping in and out of those where their nest may be potentially located. This goes along with the fact that these shrubs are also located along the line of my grandparents back porch which has large amounts of access underneath it for nests to be made and made safe from potential predators due to the tight spaces to get in and out. As their house is also on a lake, there are plenty of other trees and house for birds to occupy for their nests which I believe it limiting the need for competition of the birdhouse on their property. This might also be because many squirrels are around this birdhouse due to the bird feeders being right next to it. Maybe the species not in the birdhouse feel more threatened by the squirrels than the Black-capped Chickadees do. This could show a lot about a birds fitness. Although Black-capped Chickadees and super small, maybe they have a much higher courage and attitude than the other songbirds which allows them to claim territory that other birds are too nervous for.
There are plenty of materials near this location to build a nest due to it being right by a lake surround by great lush trees and bushes. Many of these materials include small sticks from shrubs and trees, fallen leaves, sand from the shore of the beach, and anything that has washed up from the shore as it is used for the public in the summer months for swimming (many people lose things in the lake).
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