Through the Window: August 2018

It was a bit of a quiet month, but we might also have been so busy that we didn’t take enough notes while indoors? Outdoors was fantastic…

Seen from the Viewing Window (or nearby) and recorded:

• Black-capped Chickadee
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Ruby-throated Hummingbird
• Blue Jay (some molting 8/11/2018)
• American Goldfinch
• Mourning Dove
• Rose-breasted Grosbeak
• Downy Woodpecker
• Purple Finch
• Broad-winged Hawk (over parking lot 8/31)
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Common Grackle
• Northern Cardinal
• Tufted Titmouse
• American Crow

With bee balm blooming and seeds knocked of the feeders by birds, we also got to see Red Squirrels, Gray Squirrels, and learned to distinguish Snowberry Clearwing Moths and Hummingbird Clearwing Moths.

A special and unexpected treat was seeing a young Snapping Turtle along the path between the bridge and the parking lot/sheds on August 28. The pond has been very, very low, as are the creeks. This young turtle was traveling towards the larger creek that separates the Museum from the “recovering land” part of our property. (Those trails have had a lot of work done on them this year and are now open, though not quite finished.)

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

Drop by between 10am and 4pm—see the feeder birds yourself (and add to our monthly lists). Or view our carved birds, habitats, and interpretations in our permanent exhibits and our 2018 art show.

Volunteers, we have opportunities for you!

We continue to host walks, classes, and more. 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.