mothman42s dagbok

april 8, 2024
11:30-5:30
Absolutely gorgeous day, sunny not a cloud in the sky.
56 degrees fahrenheit
McKenzie Park, Intervale center
Open hay field ringed with deciduous trees on the banks of the winooski river

These are the recordings and observations I made during the eclipse. I got out there early and set up, it was normal for a sunny spring day, except that the ring billed gulls and crows were going off the shits flocking around the river, then as the sun began to disappear the song birds all chimed in with their evening chorus, but once the sun was fully hidden behind the moon, the birds fell silent then once the sun began to return a very confused morning dove chimed in with its call, along with a bunch of other birds

4/23/2024
3:15pm-5:15pm
Salmon Hole Trail

Sunny day, 45 degrees fahrenheit, good wind.

the salmon hole trail is very muddy. As usual, the trail was populated with robins, cardinals and a large flock of starlings. I believe that there was one vireo but I was not able to properly identify it as it flew away quickly.

There was male cardinal that was making very aggressive singing as I walked by. Northern Cardinals build their nests in February and march and lay their first brood of eggs in april so it is possible that the male was defending a nest. Cardinals frequent forest edge areas with good shrubs and small trees. This is a good area for cardinals, with good cover and food for them. The strong calls it was making is a good indicator that he is healthy.

American robins have a very similar habitats and could possibly have over lap. I heard many of the robins calling out so it is possible that there were territory disputes between the two. Here on the banks of the winooski, the robins I saw would probably use the dry reeds and grasses on the banks for their nests, as they would not have to go too far to acquire them, additionally the small sticks and twigs on the ground will provide good nest structures. Additionally there are houses and buildings near by and its possible that the the robins could fly further to get animal hair and discarded string from homes for their nests.