Through the Window: February 2018

We particularly loved seeing grouse in the crabapple this month—one day, we saw five! We also were pleased to host a delightful number of people for the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Red-breasted Nuthatch, turning to look at photographer
Red-breasted Nuthatch, turning to look at photographer K. Talmage

Birds noticed this month at our feeders and just nearby:

  • Blue Jay
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Black-capped chickadee
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • Mourning Dove
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • American Tree Sparrow
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Ruffed Grouse
  • American Robin (7 in crabapple Feb 15)
  • American Goldfinch
  • Red-winged Blackbird (Feb 18)
  • Common Grackle (Feb 28)
  • White-breasted Nuthatch

(Bold items in this list are those species not recorded in January 2018.)

The usual Squirrels (Gray and Red) scattered themselves across the ground. The Cottontail Rabbit seems to be useing a woodchuck den as an occasional shelter or underground pathway. Eastern Chipmunks woke up briefly.

Although we’re “open by appointment”, we love having people call to visit! From November to April, please call or email to arrange a visit—this lets us adjust the heating to human comfort, among other things. If you are one of last year’s exhibiting artists, please come get your art. Volunteers, we have opportunities for you!

We continue to host walks, carving classes, and moreas we move towards spring. These are listed on our events page.  If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter , tumblr, and/or Instagram too, you’ll find more comments, links, and observations. See you soon!

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.

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