Still semi-closed (visitors welcome! But please call a few days in advance to make an appointment), we don’t have as many people watching our feeders. That and winter, and not surprisingly, the list is slightly short.
- Blue Jay
- Black-capped chickadee
- Dark-eyed Junco
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Tufted Titmouse
- Downy Woodpecker
- Ruffed Grouse
- Northern Cardinal (female)
- American Goldfinch
- Mourning Dove
- Red-breasted Nuthatch (1/31, spotted by Charlie B for the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium)
The Ruffed Grouse was an odd sighting. We noticed a grouse corpse on 1/14, after an extremely cold night and continued shallow snow. This death was probably due to cold although there may have been other factors. One of more red squirrels worked on the body for several days, and eventually it vanished but for some feathers.
On 1/27, though, we also saw a grouse strutting under one of the crab apple trees. Mate? Flock member?
We saw several red squirrels and gray squirrels, and learned about black squirrels as well when WCAX staff dropped by to film some shots for a story.
Are you ready to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb 17-20? We are! Come to a presentation about the Museum and Winter Bird Feeder in South Burlington on Feb 15th. Then stop by on Saturday the 18th for tips, company, and a warm window to watch through! Details on our events page.