Birds in the trees

Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 10-30
Location: South of Olin’s entrance
Time: 1603-1615
Weather: 54˚F, clear skies

Cedar waxwings have been the predominant birds soaring over campus today. They filled the air with high chirps and melodious songs in celebration of autumn . . . or maybe to attract mates. I found a different sort of birds this afternoon that offered a pleasant view of variety from the waxwings. These small birds appeared like little puffballs of feathers with dark caps on their head, yet they glided effortlessly from the trees to the south of Olin’s entrance. Indeed, they were black-capped chickadees. As they landed, they nibbled on the underside of the leaves, pecking at the minute insects hidden on the veins of the leaves. A 3-inch bird that landed on a branch barely 2 feet from me was decorated in tan splotches and markings and a white underbelly. The body was more rotund than elliptical, and its beak was a short cone. Perhaps this one was a juvenile chickadee, or a different species all together. Despite their light landings and leniency at feeding, the yellowed leaves fell in abundance as they spritely hopped over the branches. I followed their path as they headed from the “dead tree,” to a sapling, and finally into the oak tree in front of Lausanne Hall’s entrance. Most the trees on the front lawn were shades of burgundy, vermillion, and orange. The maple tree I observed earlier in the year was fully crimson leafed with maroon seeds still hanging downward from the branches.