Beebe Pond: Bird ID and Flight Observations

Beebe Pond is a small body of water in rural Vermont. The pond is surrounded by mixed forests, including pines and a variety of hardwood trees. Given its somewhat isolated location and the relatively large tracts of forest around it, the area around Beebe Pond acts as quality bird habitat, even on cold and snowy winter days. The morning was clear and relatively warm for a Vermont winter, so it seemed like an ideal time for birding.
I followed the main path on this trip, often stopping to watch a group of birds. Most of the birds were seen in groups; specifically, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and White-breasted Nuthatches usually appeared together. All three species were relatively vocal, though the Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were the least timid. These birds often darted between the branches of the trees, sometimes flying straight over the path to perch in a tree on the other side. The White-breasted Nuthatches were a bit more timid. They were often spotted climbing on tree trunks and would usually retreat further into the woods shortly after.
The Downy Woodpeckers were distinctly different any of the other birds observed. While they were sometimes spotted near the other birds, they were also seen alone or in pairs. The woodpeckers also had a unique way of moving. They would usually take longer flights, rather than hopping from one tree to the next. Their flight pattern was also very distinct; they would flap their wings a few times, rise, fall slightly, and then repeat the pattern. They would move in a sort of wave motion through the air, then land in a large tree or snag. Usually, they would stay in that tree for some time once they landed, drumming on the branches. The woodpeckers seemed to be very deliberate about where they would move, picking out specific trees and then moving on straight to the next. This pattern was different from the smaller perching birds observed, which usually hopped from one tree to the next very quickly as opposed to making longer, direct flights.
The American Crow was, of course, very different from any of the other species. The crow was seemingly focused on travelling a much longer distance. It only landed briefly in a pine, then took off again and soared farther off. Each bird's flight pattern seemed to correspond to its usual activities and habits. The crow occupies a larger area and is often travelling a longer distance in one flight. The woodpeckers rely specifically on larger trees and snags where they're likely to find insects. As such, they make relatively short distance flights from one potential food source to the next. The smaller perching birds, such as the titmice, usually only made quick flights from one tree to the next. They flew in quick bursts, as they were usually only in the air for a short amount of time. Each bird's flight pattern was designed to be as effective as possible for its specific needs.

由使用者 kayley-j-dillon 在 2019年02月03日 21:50 所貼文