Field Journal 2

For my second field journal entry, I went to Derway Island in Burlington, VT which I had never been to before. More specifically, the bike path along the waterfront. Around this area, it is mostly a riparian forest. It was about 40 degrees outside and I was there from around 2:00-3:00 PM with my friend Addy. We saw a lot more species this time than last time including, Canada Geese, Mallards, Ring-billed Gulls, a Black-capped Chickadee, and a beautiful Bald Eagle. We also heard at least one Pileated Woodpecker.
In order to keep warm I believe these birds surviving throughout the winter can insulate themselves. They can do this by fluffing out their feathers and creating air pockets so that air is trapped. Birds also enjoy huddling together to keep warm and also shiver like humans to generate body heat. Since usual food that birds eat are scarce in the winter, they tend to eat more high calorie foods in the winter. Bird-feeders are very helpful at this time of year. In other seasons, birds tend to eat more of berries and insects which are much harder to find in the winter time.
At night, small forest birds (like the Black-capped Chickadee) may sleep in tree cavities or snags while others like song birds may find a spot on a branch that is sheltered from different types of weather. I believe Woodpeckers also find tree cavities to sleep in or make their own and Mallards sleep on the water. Birdhouses are also proven to be used by several different birds during the frigid winter season to conserve body heat.

Posted on 07 de março de 2020, 02:02 AM by