John

We see them family groups most of the year, but flocks most commonly late fall and winter.  The group up and fly into Glens Falls to take advantage of the urban heat bubble and range out onto agricultural fields in Washington County for food.  Of course Canada geese, in southern Washington County we see snow geese, Starlings, pigeons, and this year we have a flock of about 60 red wing black birds stop at the feeders in front of the office.

Locally, there is a growing concern about local bird populations.  Many residents have birdfeeders and have expressed that the overall number of birds and the diversity of species seems to have declined this year.  What are the reasons?  The spring started out wet, then went dry for a brief time, then became a wet summer and even fall?  Is there more natural feeds available this year?  I will be interested to see the results of the GBBC. Birds matter to me because they help mark the passage of time/seasons through ecological calendars.  Certain birds migrate into the area or out of the area based on time of year, amount of sunlight and temps. They are indicators of different habitats and the health of those habitats.  I note with some disappointment that the number of bobolinks in the local hayfields has declined in my 20 years in the area.  The fields are being used, but I believe the earlier harvest of hay has played a part.  They are just fun to watch. I can reduce my use of plastics.   I do actively recycle, but I can do more here to reduce my impact.  I am actively engaged in different types of citizen science and rotate through different activity levels.

Activity 1: Northern Cardinal is a short distance migrator.  The year round range is mostly in North America.  The Blackburnian warbler comes from South America through the gulf states on their way to northern North America.  A long distance migrator. Scarlet Tanager non-breeding territory is primarily western and central South America traveling through Central America into the gulf states and into upper Midwest, Midwest, and northeastern United States. The Western Tanager breeding season is located in Mexico and Central America with very little into South America.  They migrate primarily through Mexico into the western United States.  Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird share a similar non-breeding territory, with the Ruby-throated extending through southern Mexico into Central America.  The Rufous being mostly central and western Mexico.  However, their breeding territories vary widely.  Rufous is primarily the Pacific Northwest and Western/Coastal Canada, southeastern Alaska.  The Ruby-throated is along the western bank states of the Mississippi River across the eastern half of the country up through eastern Canada. Sandhill Crane with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher are both long distance migrators, but the Yellow-bellied flycatcher travels what looks like a greater distance. The Sandhill goes from Alaska and north-central Canada, upper Midwest to Florida, the southeast, and Texas/Oklahoma.  Most migrate starting in mid-late April and make the travel north in May, then again in September, with some being as late as November. Activity 2: Three year round: Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, and Northern Cardinal.  I am familiar with all of these species and see them regularly.  The Cardinal is one of the most vocal calling during much of the year with a distinct call and of course bright coloration of the males. Black-capped chickadees are quite common around feeders in suburban and wood/field areas.  Three rarely seen in our area:  Horned Lark, which I have seen once, Hoary Redpoll which I have never seen, and Rose-breasted Grossbeak, which we usually only see during the spring and summer breeding season. Activity 3: Both the Common loon and American Goldfinch male all lose their bright coloration. Though it seems the loons tend to lost more of the distinct color patterns in addition to their bright coloration (albeit only black and white).  Most of the Goldfinches yellow fades, but some of the black and white patterns remain. Activity 4: The Dark-eyed junco tends to disappear during July and reappears in August, likely during nestling and molting times. American Tree Sparrow is a November through May resident, not appearing during June through September, so is likely a short distance or migrator who breeds in southern Canada.

Activity 1 : The two birds I saw at the bird feeder I can tell apart by shape, White-breasted Nutchatch and Blue-Jay.  The shape of the Nuthatch of course is usually facing downward or upside down on a truck.  The Jay has a completely upright shape with a distinct crest.  The sizes of course also make them distinctly different, as the Nuthatch is sparrow sized and the Blue-Jay, Robin sized.   Activity 2 Three different species:  Black-capped chickadee, Tufted titmouse, and White-breasted nuthatch.  All three species have white, black, and gray.  However, looking specifically at black, the Nuthatch and Chickadee both have black caps, which is absent from the Titmouse, whose black is limited to just above the beak in a small circular pattern.  The black on the nuthatch is limited to a long cap, while the Black-capped chickadee has both a cap and a throat patch. Activity 3: Dark-eyed Junko, Black-capped Chickadee, and White-breasted Nuthatch.  The Nuthatch tends to stay on the tree, search for bugs or seed, but limited to on something they ca search upside down. The Junko seems to always be on the ground.  I have rarely seen them on a feeder.  Whereas the Chickadee seems to variable,  They will feed in the trees, on feeders, on the ground.  Very diverse behavior. Activity 4 - Black-capped chickadee shape and size, upright, smaller than a sparrow.  Black on cap, throat patch, with buff on sides.  Behavior- variable feeding style, but always in a group.