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Mixed
Species Flocking
I was in Maine before the
majority of migration was to have started. But our
observations of the birds led me to anticipate that
migration was occurring. Periods of quiet were interrupted
with large numbers of birds in mixed flocks. This was the
first time however that I saw warblers feeding young. I
watched Parula Warblers, and Yellow-rumped Warblers feeding
their young during this time. In addition, a family of Hairy
Woodpeckers sometimes fed with the Bl. throated Green
Warblers. This always occurred when other species were
present. A typical feeding group included Bl. Throated Green
Warblers, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Black capped
Chickadees, and Robins. In addition Golden crowned Kinglets,
Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creepers, White-breasted
Nuthatches, sometimes joined the group.
It is possible that there
was one mixed species feeding group that rotated through the
area feeding together. This could have been a pre-migration
activity. I base this on the observation that for two
mornings in a row at Jordan Pond in Acadia National
Monument, the same species of birds were observed feeding
togeather. The family of Hairy Woodpeckers were never seen
except in the company of Bl. throated Green Warblers. My
anticipation of migration is that different species would be
seen flying through the area instead of the same
participants. I have seen articles on mixed species flocking
in breeding territories in the tropics but not in temperate
zones.
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Photography
Notes
Two lenses were used during
this week. The majority of bird shots were done with a 180ED
lens. This was used for its quickness and manueverability.
The warblers were feeding off low bushes and moving quickly.
When I used the 300 mm lens I was missing most of the shots.
With the 180 I could respond quicker to the birds. All the
shots were done with flash and I was using a #1 extension
ring on the 180 lens so I could focus closer. The Black and
White Warbler was shot with the 300 mm lens without flash. I
used Kodak Extachrome 100 ASA film.
I was only able to shoot
three rolls of film during the week.
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