ivannie77's Journal

These observations were taken from the UVM ornithology class bird walk from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Temperature: 37°F-39°F
Wind Speed: 7 mph N
Soil quality: Hard, but slowly softening up.
Humidity: 48%
Area: Ethan Allen Park

As the group arrived at the park, it was relatively quiet. The few birds already there was an American Robin, a small flock of European Starlings and a Ring-billed Gull. At few feet from the parking lot the group did a point count, listening for about 10 minutes and recording the birds we heard and saw. In that area we saw: American Robins, a Ring-billed Gull and a flock of European Starlings. We heard: a few Northern Cardinals, a Black-capped Chickadee, a Downy Woodpecker, a Dark-eyed Junco, a White-breasted Nuthatch, a House Finch and an American Goldfinch. After this we headed deeper and up a path towards the tower in the park.

At the tower there was a small flock of Black-capped Chickadees being quite vocal and reacting to our group. After watching, we headed to the tower which was locked so we turned around took a different path. Along the way, a Tufted-Titmouse's peter-peter-peter cry was heard in the distance.

The path that we walked through was steep with a lot of moss covered rocks to climb up. Along the way, we took multiple stops. On the first we heard a House Finch call and around us were the caws of American Crows. Above the trail flew a Ring-billed Gull, yet many more were apparent from the cries. At the end of the path we saw what seemed to be a Downy Woodpecker, but as it climbed a tree, it had different markings and eventually some unique characteristics allowed the group to discern it as a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. As we observed the Sapsucker, a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers could be seen flying around and one of the pair was calling out.

After reaching a flatter trail, a brown creeper could be seen climbing up a tree, while a few American Crows cawed in the distance. While walking all of us stopped when we heard a loud hoot from the right side of the path. After a small bit of searching it was discovered the there was a Barred Owl resting on a pine tree and farther away, another owl was replying to the calls. While searching one member was able to point out that a Turkey Vulture was soaring above the forest. After a bit a Belted Kingfisher flew right past the group making its call all the way. Walking further we observed many American Goldfinches and a Downy Woodpecker on the trees near us. One of the yellow birds was in the canopy of the pine trees and after it called out, the bird was revealed to be a Pine Warbler.

After reaching a cliff area, the sound of some Brown Creepers and American Goldfinches were distinct in the background. After another point count that lasted about 5 minutes, we heard: an American Crow, a few American Goldfinches, a Fish Crow, a Brown Creeper and one member was able to hear the faint cry of an Eastern Phoebe. We ended up also seeing some House Sparrows and a White-breasted Nuthatch.

After returning the the parking area, an American Robin was flying around energetically. As we left, there was a tree with red berries full with a flock of about 20-30 Bohemian Waxwings.

These observations were taken from a bird walk that lasted from 7:30 am to 9 am.
The temperature was between 19°F and 27°F.
The humidity was at 65%.
The wind speed was 4 mph South.
All of the factors above made it feel like 14°F throughout the walk.
The soil was frozen over in many areas not directly touching water. Some water was semi-frozen.
The weather fluctuated between sunny and cloudy.

After parking and exiting the vehicles, we were told of the presence of some Wood Ducks. The ducks scared easily and soon they quickly flew away. What was left was a pair of Mallards that stayed to swim. Along with the Wood Ducks a Great Blue Heron was seen flying through the trees and above water.

Following a path that lead to a bait shop, the group stopped to search for a Canada Goose that was seen previously guarding her eggs. Nothing was seen at first, but a few American Robins were out and about. Not many were singing, but eventually the song would be heard around the woods. Eventually the well-camouflaged goose was found, on a mound in the water with her head held low. She was well hidden, but not moving so, we were able to observe through a viewing scope. Continuing the walk a Black-capped Chickadee was observed on a branch making its well known song. On the left of the path a few more Wood Ducks landed, but as always were quickly spooked and flew away. Opposite to that two Canada Geese were seen swimming in the water. In the air above was an American Crow, cawing and a White-breasted Nuthatch was seen fluttering from tree to tree.

At the Bait Shop, a clear view of the river was visible. Canada Geese were casually swimming in the water until a pair of more territorial Geese started to chase the others away, filling the air with honking. The viewing scope was able to capture a pair of Wood Ducks hiding in the reeds. While searching for them, a pair of Mallards swam in the distance and someone was able to see a few Double-crested Cormorants skimming the water. There were also a number of Ring-billed Gulls flying about.

Walking back to reach another junction, a Blue Jay was seen moving from tree to tree. A little further and the distinct call of a Song Sparrow was heard. After a few minutes of looking, the sparrow was found singing on the farthest branch on a tree. Around it was a Downy Woodpecker and a White-breasted Nuthatch, going from branch to branch. After the area with the sparrow, a few of the Wood Ducks returned, but eventually they flew away again. The air was filled with Ring-billed Gulls, the closer we got to the parking area.

Admittedly the rest was a blur due to some stomach problems I encountered during the middle of the trip, so some of the events may be a little less detailed towards the end.

After reaching the junction, we started to walk a different path, this time along the river. It was a fairly uneventful time. We did hear a Brown Creeper's call though. After replying with a recording, we waited, but there was not a reply. The bird must have just been passing by. The air was filled with different songs of the other birds we have seen, especially prominent was the Song Sparrow. Reaching the turning point, we were able to see an Osprey with a fish, which soon flew out of view. Going back to the vehicles, we did not see many birds. The only constant were the gulls. We were about to start an exercise, but a motor started in the distance and we ran out of time, so we had to get ready to leave.

This bird walk was at Oakledge Park in Vermont. Yesterday was a chilly morning. It was 43°F, but wind made it feel like it was about 34°F. The wind speed was 8 mph South. It was a reported 82% humidity and the dirt was quite wet from the previous night's rain. Worms were present on concrete surfaces, meaning there was an abundance of food for the more carnivorous bird species.
Arriving at the meeting sight at UVM, groups of gulls, not sure if Ring-billed or Herring, were on the fields, most likely eating worms. A small flock of four Canada Geese were flying overhead.
When we got to the park, it was obvious that this morning was full of life. A cacophony of bird cries were heard. Some common ones heard were the Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Northern Cardinal, American Crow and Gulls. Some new cries heard were the Song Sparrow and a large amount of Common Grackles.
A bit of time was spent looking for the Song Sparrow as it was a very new occupant. Throughout that time many Common Grackle were flying around.
At the shore, mostly Gulls were seen. In the background, the cries of the American Robin, Northern Cardinal and Black-capped Chickadee were heard. After a while the gulls got braver and flew near the group. One landed in the water and slowly made it to shore. Due to it being a juvenile, it was hard to identify and was finally determined to be a Ring-billed Gull. What drew the group away from the shoreline was the loud cries of a group of 5 American Crows. In the distance the group was mobbing a Great Horned Owl and as it flew away, we followed.
Arriving at a wooded area, we continued to hear a mix of bird calls. Someone was able to hear a Dark-eyed Junco making its cry and throughout there were smaller birds such as the Black-capped Chickadee were seen flying around. Reaching a high area, a small group of 3 Common Mergansers were seen swimming in the lake. From the coloring 2 were female and 1 was male.
The Owl was not seen again, so before leaving the group decided to go into the pine forest to see if the Owl or some Woodpeckers were there. Even after playing a Screech Owl cry, there was nothing, thus ending the bird walk.

Today's bird walk was in Centennial Woods by UVM. Today it was an average of 28°F but the chilly morning air mad it seem more like a low 21°F. Today's wind speed was 5 mph NNW. It was cloudy for the majority of the walk, but by the end the sun was out and shining. Most of the path of the Centennial Woods were frozen over with a thick layer of ice and/or snow, so soil quality was hard to test.
As I was walking to the meeting place for the bird walk at 6:45 am the only birds that were stirring were American Crows. A small group were flying overhead cawing as they made their way to what may have been a potential food source.
As the bird walk started, nothing much was heard until we got to the rows of fruit trees. Early rising American Robins and a European Starling were feeding off the fruit. The starling flew away as we approached, and a flock of Robins were flying overhead.
Before getting to the Centennial woods a Northern Cardinal was heard reacting to both recordings of cardinals and a street light that had a similar noise to its cry. It did not leave its tree, but continued to cry even after we left.
At the entrance to the woods, a few large crows were perched at the top of some tall trees. As we left, I caught one dive bombing. Inside the woods, the floor was slippery with ice. In the snow, some fox tracks were observed and a Robin was heard. The cry was similar to the Black-capped Chickadee but deeper. On the other side of the path, a Northern Cardinal could be heard making its euwee sounding cry. After a few more minutes the sound of a Pileated Woodpecker was heard and many of us caught a glimpse of its flight through the woods. Soon it was joined by two more and the fluttering and crying was heard all over.
We made it to a decayed tree and talked about how the Pileated Woodpecker specializes in Carpenter Ants and that they would peck holes into trees infested with them. The tree was not rotten, but had many holes from the ants eating away at its structure.
Making our way through the ice and snow, we reach a bird-feeder that was visited on the last trip here. As it was being refilled, someone whistled the cry of the Black-capped Chickadee and soon there were a small group of chickadees waiting for the feeder. As they fed, the noise of a Screech Owl being mobbed was played to attract more birds. A total of three White-breasted Nuthatches, seven Black-capped Chickadees, four Tufted Titmice and a Downy Woodpecker showed up.
After that and a few slips on the ice later, we followed a wooded path to get deeper in the woods. Downy and Pileated Woodpeckers could be heard throughout the woods and as we make it to a clearing someone notices a tree with a large hole in it. Not sure what is really is, many guesses pointed to a hole made by a Pileated Woodpecker and used by other species overnight. A sign was that there was hoof fungus growing at the edges of the tree and it is speculated that Pileated Woodpeckers look for it as a sign of wood quality.
We come across another fallen tree. This one is also has signs of carpenter ant burrowing. An interesting find near the tree was some barbed wire, showing that this area might have been a farm in the past.
At the end of the hike, a few Black-capped Chickadees, a Pileated Woodpecker and a Northern Cardinal were heard. The woodpecker was the same as the one making all the noise in the wood. The cardinal showed similar behavior to the ones at the crosswalk. It replied to recorded cries, but did not investigate. The chickadees did not stop singing for a while. Walking back, the ducks from two weeks ago were gone due to the pond freezing.
Coming back to the initial fruit trees, six European Starlings were seen near the top of a tall tree, while a small group of American Robins were sitting a bit lower. A large flock of starlings were seen with a few robins on a lawn.

The bird walk today was in the Centennial Woods at the edge of UVM. The day was quite cloudy and chilly, nearly 25-30 degrees without counting for wind speed. The wind speed was 9 mph and there was a slight snow warning though there was snow. Soil conditions in the forest had a soft quality and walking through required a small bit of caution.
When the bird walk started the first thing seen were crows in the sunrise, flying around a wind turbine. As we got closer a small group of starling were fluttering around and one landed on a cord connecting to a turbine. Soon a flock of Ring-billed Gulls flew across to the mountains. After a small group of American Crows flew to the woods.
After reaching a path to the Centennial Woods and playing various sounds that a Downy Woodpecker makes, a Downy Woodpecker and a few Black-capped Chickadees came to investigate fluttering through the branches. Going deeper into the woods, after playing a recording of birds mobbing a Screech Owl, many White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice came to investigate.
En route to the next area two male Mallards, two female Mallards and a American Black Duck was seen swimming in a lake.
In the next entrance of the forest, the first bird that appeared was a Northern Cardinal hiding in the trees. It took a bit before it showed itself. Its soft pit-pit-pit sounds were heard throughout the forest. After playing the mobbing noise and a warning call, a group of American Goldfinch, a Downy Woodpecker and a few Tufted Titmice came and fluttered around the tall trees. Leaving the woods, a few people got a glimpse of a Cooper's Hawk. Lastly a small group of American Robins were seen flying and crying near the second entrance of the woods.