03-March through 09-March

Written By David Shoemaker

Hey everyone!

It has been a cold and windy week here in Arlington! A few days of rain dampened the birding, but towards the end of the week, we had some nice weather and saw great birds!

I'm hoping to get out to Theodore Roosevelt Island next week, and as the weather warms up, I'm excited to bike to new locations for even more birding adventures! 🚴‍♂️🐦

🔹 New Changes to the Graphs & Data Logging

I made some big improvements to how I track and visualize bird data!

📊 Standardized Bird Behaviors – Instead of logging random observations like "chilling in the water" (haha), I use a consistent behavior classification system to make analysis easier. Standardized data for the win!

🐍 Python Script Updates – The week number is now included in the graphs, which should help with quick comparisons in the future. This could be really useful for spotting trends over time!

💻 GitHub Project? – I'm debating whether to upload my Python script to GitHub. I probably should since building readable, manageable projects's always a good idea, and it would be a great portfolio addition. Let me know if you'd be interested in checking it out!

🆕 New Charts Coming Soon! – I'm experimenting with some new visualizations to see what works best. I'll also start including one or two charts from Excel (shoutout to Mr. Excel!). It'll be fun to combine Python and Excel for even deeper insights!

🔹 Photography & Video Editing Progress

📸 Post-Processing Upgrade! – I picked up a Humble Bundle for Movavi Photo/Video Editor, so I'll improve my bird photos and hopefully edit some videos soon! I'm planning to create a video about:

✔ My Python & Excel setup

✔ How I generate charts

✔ Future plans for data growth

This should help me document my process while also improving my editing skills!

🔹 Tech & Inspiration

I recently watched a Linus Tech Tips episode where they talked about integrating technology with hobbies, and it really resonated with me. Just because we love tech doesn't mean we're stuck behind a desk—this blog is proof of that! 🐦💻

Here's the video if anyone's interested: [This Upgrade is Going to Kill Him - AMD $5000 Ultimate Tech Upgrade! - YouTube]

🔹 Looking Ahead: Predictive Modeling & Community Feedback

In the long run, I'm excited to start collecting enough data to try some predictive models. It'll be interesting to see if I can forecast bird activity based on time of year, weather, or location trends!

👀 What would you like to see?

If anyone has feedback or ideas for new charts, let me know! I'd love to hear what insights might be interesting to explore.

I hope you all have a fantastic week. Thanks for stopping by!

A Red-winged Blackbird standing on a dirt path, its red and yellow wing patch visible against dark black feathers. The bird appears alert, possibly foraging near scattered debris and dried grass.

A Surprise Encounter on the Trail

While on a recent birding walk, I came across this Red-winged Blackbird—known for its striking red and yellow shoulder patches and bold personality. This one was foraging along the edge of a dirt path, possibly searching for seeds or small insects among the scattered grass and pebbles.

These iconic wetland dwellers are often seen perched on cattails or singing their signature "conk-la-ree!" call. Seeing one up close like this was a cool reminder that even the most common birds have unique moments worth capturing.

I love how the bright red shoulder stands out against its jet-black plumage. It makes me wonder if the intensity of the red patch varies between individuals or changes with the seasons. I'd like to explore this in my dataset!

Have you spotted a Red-winged Blackbird recently? Where was it, and what was it doing? Let me know in the comments! 🐦📊

A Blue Jay taking flight from a tree branch, its wings and tail feathers spread wide, revealing striking blue, white, and black markings. The bird moves through a tangle of bare branches against a pale sky

A Blue Jay in Motion

One of the most challenging yet rewarding moments in bird photography is capturing a bird in mid-flight—and this Blue Jay gave me just that opportunity!

I spotted it perched in a tree, and just as I focused my camera, it launched into the air, fanning out its beautiful blue, white, and black tail feathers. Blue Jays are notoriously bold and intelligent, often known for their loud calls and playful behavior. This one, however, seemed more intent on moving to another perch than putting on a show!

Blue Jays are also highly social birds that often travel in small groups. Was this one headed toward a hidden food stash or simply finding a better vantage point to keep an eye on things?

I hope to improve my motion photography skills, so this shot is a great start! Have you ever tried capturing birds in flight? Let me know your tips and experiences in the comments! 🐦📷

Heatmap of bird species sightings at Long Bridge Trail from March 3–9, 2025. Darker shades indicate higher bird counts, with Canada Geese (20 sightings) and Northern Mockingbirds (17 sightings) being the most frequently observed

Bird Sightings by Location (Heatmap)

This heatmap provides a visual breakdown of bird sightings at Long Bridge Trail over the past week. Darker colors indicate higher counts of a particular species, while lighter shades show less frequent sightings.

  • Canada Geese (20) and Northern Mockingbirds (17) were the most commonly observed.

  • American Robins (14) and House Finches (9) also had strong showings.

  • A Bald Eagle, Blue Jay, and Northern Cardinal were rare finds, each appearing only once.

This visualization helps identify which species dominate a location and may hint at seasonal or migratory trends.

Bar chart displaying bird behavior observations from March 3–9, 2025. Foraging was the most commonly observed behavior, followed by flocking together and static perching.

Bird Behavior Observations (Bar Chart)

This chart provides a behavioral snapshot of the birds observed this past week.

  • Foraging was by far the most common behavior, reinforcing that most sightings occurred while birds were actively searching for food.

  • Flocking together ranked second, suggesting strong social tendencies, especially among species like starlings and geese.

  • Perching, flapping, hopping, and calling were also observed, offering insight into resting and communication patterns.

Tracking bird behavior over time could help identify seasonal changes in activity and social structure.

Stacked bar chart showing different behaviors observed by bird species from March 3–9, 2025. Canada Geese exhibited the highest variety of behaviors, including foraging and sitting in the water.

Bird Behaviors Observed by Species (Stacked Bar Chart)

This stacked bar chart provides a species-specific breakdown of observed behaviors.

  • Canada Geese had the highest variety of behaviors, ranging from foraging to sitting in the water.

  • European Starlings showed strong social behavior, often flocking together.

  • American Robins and Northern Mockingbirds displayed a mix of perching, hopping, and calling.

This chart helps reveal which species are more active and social than those that tend to remain stationary.

Scatter plot of bird sightings compared to temperature from March 3–9, 2025. Sightings occurred at a range of temperatures, with notable clusters around 44°F and 58°F.

Bird Sightings vs. Temperature (Scatter Plot)

This scatter plot explores whether temperature affects bird activity levels.

  • Sightings were spread across a temperature range of ~42°F to ~58°F.

  • Peak bird activity occurred around 44°F and 58°F, suggesting some species may be more active at particular temperature ranges.

  • Further tracking could help determine if certain birds prefer cooler or warmer conditions.

This could be a valuable dataset for developing predictive bird activity models based on weather patterns.

Bar chart showing the most frequently spotted bird species from March 3–9, 2025. Canada Goose leads with 20 sightings, followed by Northern Mockingbird (17) and American Robin (14).

Most Frequently Spotted Birds (Bar Chart)

This bar chart highlights the top birds observed this past week.

  • Canada Geese (20 sightings) dominated the list, likely due to their strong presence in wetlands and open spaces.

  • Northern Mockingbirds (17) and American Robins (14) were also frequently seen.

  • The Bald Eagle and Blue Jay made brief appearances, adding excitement to the week's sightings.

Tracking these numbers over time will help identify trends in seasonal movement, habitat preference, and population shifts.

An American Robin standing in a field of dried grass and scattered twigs, its bright orange-red breast contrasting with its dark gray back and black head. The bird appears alert, scanning the ground, possibly for food.

A Classic American Robin Sighting

One of the surest signs of spring is spotting an American Robin, and I came across this one while walking through a grassy field. This robin stood out against the dull, late-winter landscape with its bright orange-red breast and sharp yellow beak.

Robins are ground foragers, often seen hopping through grass, looking for worms and insects. This one seemed to be doing just that—pausing between steps, likely listening for movement beneath the soil.

Although many people think of robins as springtime birds, they’re year-round residents in many parts of North America. However, their behavior changes seasonally:

  • In summer, they’re territorial and more solitary.

  • In winter, they often form large flocks and feed on berries instead of worms.

Since robins ranked third on my most frequently spotted birds chart this week, it seems like they’re starting to appear more often as the seasons shift. It’ll be interesting to track whether their numbers increase over the next few weeks!

Have you noticed more robins in your area lately? Let me know in the comments! 🐦🍃

David Shoemaker
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First Week of Birding Data!