This research project was a simple design by observing Black-capped Chickadee feeding preferences using two feeders placed at different distances from a privet hedge. This privet hedge was essential to this research design as I wanted to view if the Black-capped Chickadees showed a preference for a bird feeder. Whether it was the bird feeder in close proximity to the privet hedge or farther away. It was questioned whether this hedge would provide protection to the birds from predators such as hawks and domestic cats. As well, it would also reduce the energy to obtain food, especially as fat storage is essential in Canadian cold winter months. Therefore the suggested bird feeder they preferred was in close proximity to the hedge.
When setting up my experiment, I noticed there were a few changes to be made and a few mistakes that I should have documented during the observation.
– It was essential to place each bird feeder on branches that were thick enough to hold the weight of the bird feeder and endure the high winds in the winter months. My original design did not consider this which then altered the final measurements after I set up the experiment.
– If I would complete this study again, I wouldn’t begin my observations the day after setting up the bird feeders on the trees. I would wait at least a week to begin observations. The reason for this is because there were no feeding counts seen on the first few days. I was not sure if this was because the birds not know the feeders existed, or if the bird feeders had a trace of human scent which deterred the birds’ feeding activity. Stalling the observations would allow a more accurate measurement of the birds feeding activity over a 14-day period.
– Halfway through the study I began to observe other bird species in the area. This was something I did not look for at the beginning of the study. It would have been interesting to note the predatory bird’s presence which may have affected the Black-capped chickadee feeding activity.
Engaging in ecology practice has provided a deeper appreciation of ecology theories and how they are developed. Ecological systems are complex, with numerous interactions and variables occurring all at once. These studies take an immense amount of time to complete and deep knowledge of how the ecological systems work together.