Of note this month was our Community Day and a sighting of a sandpiper up at our pond. That’s not too uncommon, although it doesn’t always get noted on the Viewing Window list!
August Bird List
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Mourning Dove
- Eastern Phoebe
- Downy Woodpecker
- Eastern Wood Pewee (seen near Gale’s Retreat)
- Ovenbird (also seen near Gale’s Retreat)
- Blue Jay
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Solitary Sandpiper (up at the pond when it was dry enough to have mudflats instead of a full pond)
- American Goldfinch
For comparison, you can look at what was recorded on eBird.org at the Museum (more or less) this August: https://ebird.org/vt/barchart?byr=2022&eyr=2022&bmo=8&emo=8&r=L282687
(Bold items in this list are those species not recorded in July 2022.)
Minimal Feeding Since May
We have been restricting feeding due to avian influenza being present in the state. While we don’t see domestic fowl at our feeders, we do sometimes see wild turkeys, hawks or falcons, and sometimes have waterfowl on the nearby pond. We planted some butterfly- and Hummingbird-friendly plants beneath the feeders, some of which climb twine up to the feeders. There are some pots of flowers in the feeders also.
A few relevant links:
Avian Influenza Wildlife Health Bulletin from VT Fish and Wildlife Department: https://vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/living-with-wildlife/wildlife-diseases/avian-influenza-wildlife-health-bulletin
USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Vermont from VT Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/agency-agriculture-food-markets-news/usda-confirms-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-vermont
Avian flu has been detected in Vermont. Here’s how to protect your flock from VPR: https://www.vpr.org/vpr-news/2022-04-12/avian-flu-has-been-detected-in-vermont-heres-how-to-protect-your-flock
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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, 8′ steel 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.