Field Obs6: Reproduction

Field Observation #6:
Reproductive Ecology and Evolution
Date: 21-April-2019
Time: 8:15-10:00 AM
Location: Woodside Natural Area, Essex, VT
Coordinates: 44.501455, -73.139805
Weather: Overcast, warm Spring day 65°F (18°C)
Habitat: Mixed forest, marsh, river

I went birding in Woodside Natural Area in Essex, VT which is a great location to see a variety of birds due to the mixed forest habitat wrapping around a marsh area next to the Winooski River. The weather was very warm so lots of birds were out and their vocalizations could be heard everywhere. The entire walk was full of lively chatter and lacked many quiet spots or areas where birds were vocalizing distress or warning calls. Observations of bird vocalizations and behaviors throughout the excursion supported that many birds are trying to attract mates and prepare a nest for the coming warm weather.

The entire trip had Red-winged Blackbird calls in the background and they could be observed throughout the entire marsh area that the trail circled around. These birds live and eat in marshes, where they build nests using stringy plant material among low laying marsh vegetation or even on the marsh itself. The males were either observed next to a female in low lying grasses or on high perches calling out to establish their territories.

Among the forests, Tufted Titmice were heard quite often as they reside within deciduous woods and feed in this habitat. They nest in cavities in trees, but since their beaks are made for eating insects and seeds, they cannot excavate them themselves, so are found residing in natural holes or holes formed by woodpeckers. The individuals observed during this field outing were all adults, as indicated by the rusty patch on their bottoms and were calling out from trees. They were most likely territorial males establishing their area, as no Titmouse encounters overlapped with another’s region.

The Pileated Woodpecker was another vocal individual during the trip, although not seen. They reside in deciduous or mixed forests where they nest in cavities they create. Many of these nesting sites were observed, primarily in dead, large trees. At one point during the trip I was even able to hear the bird pecking at a tree, indicating it may be creating a new nest for the breeding season. Similar to the Titmouse, all the vocalizations heard may have been used to establish a territory because there were clear distinctions in regions when the call was heard.

Many other mating behaviors were observed during this trip as well. A pair of Hooded Mergansers were observed swimming in the marsh. The female chooses a nest site within a tree, so considering both individuals of the pair were out swimming may indicate they are still increasing caloric intake to prepare for the costly investment of egg laying. Several Canada Goose pairs were also observed, but unlike the Merganser, they nest low to the ground on a slightly elevated site near water. Their nest sites are generally more open so the incubating female can have an unobstructed view and would be more likely that they are closer to egg laying than the Mergansers. A male Northern Cardinal was also observed where he was calling out from a tall dead tree. He had his tuft erect and was calling proudly trying to attract a mate, I even observed him move from a lower branch to the top of the dead tree to try and get more attention from a female.

I sat at en edge of the marsh at a bench with the forest behind me and listened for birds for five minutes. Since I was at the edge of the marsh it was expected to hear a lot of Red-winged Blackbirds, approximately six individuals. A Titmouse was calling the entire time I was sitting there with the generic “peter peter peter” call. A Northern Cardinal would occasionally call out from the same location past the marsh but was very clearly heard. A Pileated Woodpecker was also very easy to hear and was heard beyond the marsh, but at the end of the trip I heard another one in the location directly behind me in the forest. There is a decent amount of distance between these calls, suggesting it may be two individuals with their own territory. An American Crow landed near me and was calling out and was shortly joined by two other Crow’s where they called out to each other before flying off. There were two species I was unable to identify, two of the same species to the left of the marsh and one more in the woods to the right of the marsh. But, in the end, I recorded 10 different species heard during this five-minute listening period.

Posted on April 21, 2019 10:19 PM by kylermose