April 11 Squantum, MA Journal 6

On April 11 from 1 PM - 3PM I went to Squantum, MA and went birding along East Squantum Street starting from Mosswetusset Hummock to Nickerson Beach. It was a warm day at 60º F, scattered clouds, and slight southwest winds. This was a unique area observing coastal salt marshes in a highly developed area near roads and residential homes. The prominent vegetation was common reeds with scattered trees such as pitch pine, oaks, gray birch, and ornamental tree species. Another notable feature was a sand peninsula seen across the bay with little nearby development. Bird species found were looking for mates, nesting, or defending territory. In total there were 20 species identified and 146 individuals found.

Starting at Mosswetusset Hummock this was a small forested red oak family woodlot around .25 square miles. Mosswetusset Hummock is most likely too small to sustain an entire songbird territory, but likely to be a supplement territory where nesting or foraging to occur. Mosswetusset Hummock protrudes out into the bay allowing a better view of the open water and adjacent salt marshes along the coast. Looking at the open water and salt marshes there was flying Double-crested Cormorants and gull species, rafting American Black Ducks and Buffleheads, and fishing egret species. Both Snowy and Great Egrets were observed fishing at least 300 meters away from each other. If an egret, despite the species, came in the vicinity of another egret it was called or chased away. This aggressive behavior indicates that these egrets are defending these salt marshes as territory for the breeding season. These egrets did not perform any breeding behaviors, yet were physically showcasing their reproductive fitness. The Snowy Egret’s yellow and the Great Egret’s green faces were vibrantly colored and both possessed long semiplumes unlike their female counterparts. These egrets are using these salt marshes for nest (common reed and twigs) and food (fish and invertebrates) resources. These egrets are most likely part of a colony and this is a common fishing site. Compared to the rest of the distribution of Snowy and Great Egret colonies in Massachusetts, Squantum is probably considered a poor quality colony. The majority of Snowy and Great Egrets colonies breed at Plum Island or Cape Cod for their plentiful resources and distance from development. Squantum is heavily near human development with disturbance, pollution, and habitat fragmentation. In theory, the Squantum colony is made up of egrets less fit than their counterparts at Plum Island and Cape Cod. These less fit egrets are most likely young reproductive egrets or unfit mature egrets unable to compete with fit mature egrets. Despite the poor quality of territory this colony will still be able to breed and some individuals in following years might be able breed in colonies at Plum Island or Cape Cod.

Moving a half a mile north of Mosswetusset Hummock on East Squantum Street there was a nesting Osprey. Despite the busy calls of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, American Crows, and cars honking this lone mother was incubating her eggs. From contact to another local birder he told me he was able to see at least one egg in her nest prior last week. This Osprey was nesting on a reused four-foot diameter nest made from large twigs and grasses (most likely from Mosswetusset Hummock) built on a human made nest platform. This female has laid her eggs relatively early in the breeding season indicating this is probably a seasoned reproductive female and maybe has nested in the same nest in prior years. While incubating her eggs her mate is most likely finding new nest building material to expand or repair the nest and finding food resources for her and eventually offspring. Osprey offspring are altricial, born without down feathers nor mobile. These offspring will need further incubation from the mother for they cannot fully thermal regulate and the father will provide food resources. In contrast, on the other side of the road there were breeding gulls on the previously mentioned sandy peninsula. Great Black-backed, Ring-billed, and mostly Herring Gulls were seen on the sandy peninsula and in the nearby water there were Red-breasted Merganser and Brant. Some herring gulls appeared to be incubating. Herring gulls unlike Ospreys nest on the ground making depressions in the sand and hide the eggs with grass and debris. Once their eggs hatch their offspring are precocial. Offspring have down feathers and are mobile, yet will still be with parents until they fledge. Despite these two different nesting choices and offspring development they are successful for each of these bird’s different natural histories.

After observing these nesting birds I walked 200 meters to the end of a straight away of East Squantum Street to do my sound map. (Sound Map is attached in this journal as an observation as Unknown Species). For ten minutes I wrote down both visual and audible signs of birds in a 360º view for ten minutes. In an audible range of 200 meters I heard calls from Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Northern Mockingbird, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, gull species, the splashing of a fishing Snowy Egret, peeps of Greater Yellowlegs, periodic screeches of the nesting Osprey, and Brants honking in the distance. Most of these calls were call notes, yet the Northern Cardinal and Song Sparrow were performing songs. These birds were singing continuously demonstrating to receptive females and rival males their reproductive health and claim of territory. Nonetheless these males are ready or in the process of breeding. After ten minutes I went out to search for the birds I heard. I was able to find all of the species I heard and found plenty of Song Sparrows pairs mixed with Red-winged Blackbirds and a lone male Northern Cardinal at Nickerson Beach.

Birds at Squantum are at various stages of breeding. Bird species are either unpaired trying to find mates, defending territory and accumulating food and nest resources, or currently nesting waiting for eggs to hatch. Not only was it great to see so many birds at different stages of breeding, but also so many diverse taxonomic birds breeding. For me my highlight was seeing Song Sparrows, Ospreys, gulls, and egret species all breeding now despite their different natural histories. I cannot wait to continue to see how each of these species progress during the breeding season and hopefully be able to see new offspring in the coming months!