4/16/2023, Ornithology Journal 5

Evan Griffin
• Date – 4/16/2023
• Start time – 1:00 PM
• End time – 2:00 PM
• Location – Sucker Brook Hollow Country Park, Williston, VT
• Weather (temperature, wind speed/direction, precipitation) - ~77°F, partly cloudy, breeze blowing east. No precipitation.
• Habitat(s) – A wooded area with the main trail going mostly due east with a southern bend toward the beginning. Path encompassed several bends and slopes, some rocks and gnarled roots. The path went over a brook and a small creek that connected with the brook. Beech, pine and maple trees, some naturally felled, some with snags.

I drove over the parking area by the path, which was more crowded than last time because it was warm and sunny. The street was still noisy. The path was rougher than it was last time without the ice and snow covering the rocks and roots, but I was glad that I wouldn’t slip anymore. I began on the path heading downhill, the first birds I heard were the calls of a Northern Cardinal, a White-breasted Nuthatch and a Black-capped Chickadee. Eventually I made it to the bridge overlooking the brook, and I stood there until about 1:05 taking in the scenery. I saw a small snake by the brook which I thought was cute. I walked past the second bridge and came to the flat part of the slope where I saw and heard a lot of birds last time. While going there I heard a unique piercing song, I couldn’t record all of it, but my app said it was a Winter Wren, I can’t confirm it. I walked up the path and heard more Black-capped Chickadees, a couple of Song Sparrows, and at least one Red-winged Blackbird. I stood around there for about 5 minutes while going slowly up the path, people kept walking by, I made it further now that the path was walkable.

At the top of the hill was a wooden walkway through a flat area with several skinny trees. I got to another steep hill, aside from some faint sounds there didn’t seem to be as many birds deeper in, which I found disappointing. I walked up some stone steps to another bridge overlooking a dry stream and decided to not go further up. I looked around a bit until 1:30 before heading back down slowly, along the way I heard a Tufted Titmouse. I made it back to the hotspot and stood there for a bit, I heard a couple more Song Sparrows. I made it back to the brook and I managed to finally see some Black-capped Chickadees, 2 pairs bounding between branches and twigs near the brook. I managed to get some pictures of a couple. I walked back up the beginning of the path, hearing the song of a Northern Cardinal, I made it back to the car at 2:00, and I headed home.

This was the first time I went birding in particularly warm weather. I think I prefer to bird in places with fewer people around, since they can make noise and interrupt me, although it’s nice to occasionally meet dogs. I planned to go earlier in the morning, but I decided to sleep later. I saw a lot of the same species that I saw at the same trail a few weeks ago, but I also observed another of the spring migratory birds from class.

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