Through the Window: February 2016

It’s felt not-very-winterish this year. But looking at previous years, it seems much the same birds have been here (not that our records go back very far in this medium, and they’re much more informal than eBird data by and near the Museum). See for yourself if you are curious— links are below the bird list.

• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay (0bserved a distinctive Blue Jay: unusual feathers on right wing, missing secondaries; did not fly, only hop. Observed in both early and late February, but not every time Jays were noticed)
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Downy Woodpecker
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Tufted Titmouse
• American Goldfinch
• Dark-eyed Junco
• Northern Cardinal
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• American Crow
• Mourning Dove (heard calling on 2/29 also)
• Purple Finch
• Bohemian Waxwing (8 seen on 2/26, which inspired some human visitors too)
• Wild Turkey  (On 2/18 14 recorded; another 33 seen on 2/28)
• Ruffed Grouse (2/26)
  
• Red-winged Blackbird (solitary male seen 2/29 – First of Year for us!)

Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.

We also observed Red and Gray Squirrels, and, mysteriously, blood under the feeder. One of the web cams recorded a raccoon, very briefly, on 2/21.

Previous Februaries:
Feb 2015 | Feb 2014 | Feb 2013 | Feb 2012 | Feb 2011 | Feb 2010

You too can watch from our window! To schedule a visit call, tweet, phone (802) 434-2167, or email museum@birdsofvermont.org ! We’ll also be hosting an Animal Tracks & Sign workshop on March 19 and the next Bird Monitoring Walk on March 26.

The “Through the Window” series is an informal record of observations made by staff, volunteers, and visitors. Anyone at the Museum may add to this list. Observations are usually through our viewing window: a large window with a film covering that helps hide watchers from the birds. We have chairs and binoculars to try, a white board, and many identification guides. Outdoors, several feeders are attached on a single, bear-resistant pole. A small pond, flowers and water plants, shrubs and trees add cover and (seasonally) other food choices . You can sometimes see what we see via our webcam.