Category: Museum Events

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Early Birders’ Observations for May 22, 2016

The May 22  Early Birders Morning Walk was led by our own Mae Mayville, member of the Board, excellent baker, and terrific eBirder. Thank you!

Here’s the report:

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 22, 2016 7:00 AM - 9:05 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early Birders Walk led by Mae Mayville
 35 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  1     Heard
 Wild Turkey  1
 Mourning Dove  3
 Barred Owl  1     Heard
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  6     1 near the museum, 2 near the pond, 3 in the woods.
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Blue-headed Vireo  3     Observed 2 foraging near ground
 Red-eyed Vireo  3
 Blue Jay  6
 American Crow  3
 Common Raven  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  8
 White-breasted Nuthatch  2
 Veery  2
 Hermit Thrush  1
 Wood Thrush  1
 American Robin  2
 Gray Catbird  3
 European Starling  2
 Ovenbird  8
 Common Yellowthroat  4
 Magnolia Warbler  1     Observed by entire group
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
 Black-throated Green Warbler  1     Observed foraging on ground near stream
 Dark-eyed Junco  1
 White-throated Sparrow  1
 Song Sparrow  1
 Scarlet Tanager  1
 Northern Cardinal  2
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
 Common Grackle  1
 American Goldfinch  2
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29832773
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for the next one or more, every Sunday through the end of June. Enjoy the start of the day with us, birds, and other woodland inhabitants. Walks are led by experienced birders familiar with Vermont birds—and we welcome additional possible leaders. Let us know if you’re interested in volunteering.

Finish the walk with bird-friendly coffee at the viewing window inside the Museum.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Best for adults and older children • Free, donations welcome.
Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org

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Early Birders’ Observations for May 15, 2016

The Early Birders Morning Walk results are in two parts today, first from the walk  and then from viewing from indoors. Thank you so much to Shirley John and Mae Mayville, for leading today!

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 15, 2016 7:10 AM - 9:55 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.5 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early Birders Walk led by Shirley Johnson and Mae Mayville
 31 species

 Red-tailed Hawk  1
 Mourning Dove  3
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  7     2 near parking lot; 
                                 2 as we entered the woods;  
                                 1 along woods trail;  
                                 2 interacting on edge of woods on other side of the pond
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Blue-headed Vireo  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  2
 Blue Jay  10
 American Crow  2
 Black-capped Chickadee  8
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
 White-breasted Nuthatch  1
 Veery  1     Heard
 Hermit Thrush  1     Long looks; seen by everyone in the group; singing
 Wood Thrush  1     Long looks; seen by everyone in the group.
 American Robin  5
 Gray Catbird  1
 European Starling  1
 Ovenbird  4
 Louisiana Waterthrush  1     Heard at treehouse
 Common Yellowthroat  2
 Northern Parula  1
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Pine Warbler  3
 Black-throated Green Warbler  1     Heard
 Song Sparrow  1
 Northern Cardinal  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  5
 Baltimore Oriole  1     Observed by entire group
 American Goldfinch  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29673886
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 15, 2016 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
 Protocol: Stationary
 Comments:     Observed at Viewing Window after the Early Birders Walk
 14 species

 Mourning Dove  3
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Blue Jay  6
 Black-capped Chickadee  3
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 European Starling  1 
 Song Sparrow  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  7
 Red-winged Blackbird  2
 Common Grackle  3
 Brown-headed Cowbird  3
 Purple Finch  2
 American Goldfinch  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29676426
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for one or more of of our next walks, Sundays in May and June. Welcome the day with birders, birds, and other woodland inhabitants. Walks are led by experienced birders familiar with Vermont birds—and we welcome additional possible leaders. Let us know if you’re interested in volunteering.

Finish the walk with bird-friendly coffee at the viewing window inside the Museum.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Best for adults and older children • Free, donations welcome.
Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org

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Early Birders’ Observations for May 8, 2016

The Early Birders Morning Walk results are in two parts today, first from the walk (thanks to M. Patenaude!) and then from coffee klatch and viewing from indoors. What a delight it is to have so many birds around and about.

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 8, 2016 7:00 AM - 8:45 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early Birders Walk led by Michele Patenaude
 23 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  1
 Cooper's Hawk  1
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
 Downy Woodpecker  4
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Northern Flicker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Red-eyed Vireo  1
 Blue Jay  5
 American Crow  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  11
 Tufted Titmouse  3
 White-breasted Nuthatch  2
 Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
 American Robin  1
 Ovenbird  6
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
 Pine Warbler  2
 White-throated Sparrow  4
 Song Sparrow  3
 Northern Cardinal  2
 Red-winged Blackbird  1
 American Goldfinch  3
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29482149
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)


Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 8, 2016 8:45 AM - 10:45 AM
 Protocol: Stationary
 Comments:     Feeder window birds following the bird walk
 21 species

 Mourning Dove  3
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Blue Jay  6
 American Crow  2
 Black-capped Chickadee  3
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 American Robin  1
 European Starling  2
 Chipping Sparrow  2
 Dark-eyed Junco  1
 White-crowned Sparrow  1
 White-throated Sparrow  1
 Song Sparrow  1
 Northern Cardinal  2
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4
 Red-winged Blackbird  8
 Common Grackle  2
 Brown-headed Cowbird  3
 Purple Finch  2
 American Goldfinch  14

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29484299

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for one or more of these, Sundays in May and June. Greet the day with birders, birds, and other woodland inhabitants. Walks are led by experienced birders familiar with Vermont birds—and we welcome additional possible leaders. Let us know if you’re interested in volunteering.

Finish the walk with bird-friendly coffee at the viewing window inside the Museum.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Best for adults and older children • Free, donations welcome.
Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org

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Great Backyard Bird Count, 2016

We were open last Saturday to celebrate and support the Great Backyard Bird Count. Naturally, we counted birds—and a few others—as well. We recorded our results at eBird, and below.  Notice there are two days!  If you have questions about the Great Backyard Bird Count, eBird, or citizen science, ask us!

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 Feb 13, 2016 9:15 AM - 11:15 AM
 Protocol: Stationary
 Comments:     Museum was open for the GBBC and visitors and Museum staff observed and recorded.
 12 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  1     May have been noticed later in day
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Blue Jay  13
 Black-capped Chickadee  28
 Tufted Titmouse  4
 Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
 White-breasted Nuthatch  2
 Dark-eyed Junco  14
 Northern Cardinal  2
 Purple Finch  4
 American Goldfinch  15
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27909893
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 Feb 14, 2016 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
 Protocol: Stationary
 Comments:     Museum staff recording during lunch break
 5 species
 
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Blue Jay  5
 Black-capped Chickadee  6
 Dark-eyed Junco  5
 Northern Cardinal  1
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27909940
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

 

How did your counts go?

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Brook Trout carving workshop

Carve your ownbrook trout in this one-day class with David TuttleCarve and paint a Brook Trout with David Tuttle of the Green Mountain Woodcarvers. Wood blank, eyes, snacks, and coffee provided.

Saturday, February 20 at the Birds of Vermont Museum (map) • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

All levels welcome. Do bring your tools and gloves if you have them; if you don’t, let us know. Dave often brings some knives, gloves, etc. to sell. Please bring your lunch.

Great for adults and teens. Younger kids need parental permission and Cub Scouts could show their Whittling Chip.

$30 for Museum and GMWC members • $40 for everyone else

Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org to pre-register.

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Open Museum for the Great Backyard Bird Count 2016

Drop by the Museum for the Great Backyard Bird Count! We’re open Saturday, February 13 • 10am – 3pm to share the Count with you!

Share the Great Backyward Bird Count with friends, family, and the Birds of Vermont Museum

  • New to the count? We can tell you about it and help you participate.
  • Need to warm up from your outdoor excursion with Audubon Vermont? Do so from the comfort of our viewing window chairs.
  • Seen a great bird and want to let us know? Sounds good!
  • Need help identifying a bird? From apps to field guides, we can help. You’ll need to know your fieldmarks, though! (And we can help with that, too)
  • Want to have fun? You bet!

See you here!

More about the GBBC: http://gbbc.birdcount.org/

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Progress on the Museum entrance way: cover plants

After laying in rock and grading the slope just-so, the stream bank crew put down netting to reduce erosion, and it was seeded with a one-year “cover crop”. We’ll replant perennials and more next spring.

Erosion netting in place, October 7, 2105
Erosion netting in place, September 26

The cover crop sprouted quite quickly, which encouraged and delighted us.

Can you see the little sprouts? Click to zoom in, perhaps.
Can you see the little sprouts? This is about October 8. Click to zoom in, perhaps.

Yesterday’s and this morning’s light snow doesn’t seem to have bothered the little plants at all!

Protecting the stream bank with netting and plants.   Protecting the stream bank with netting and plants.

Protecting the stream bank with netting and plants, October 18. Click to see these larger (it’s worth it!)

Continue reading “Progress on the Museum entrance way: cover plants”

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Progress on the Museum entrance way: rock on!

Rocks, dirt, big tools, and a more stable stream bed
What’s going on? Lots! Click for a close-up.

During the past week, we’ve watched a good bit of earthmoving, repairing and preparing the stream, its slopes, and the stream bed between the Museum parking lot and the Museum entrance. The preparation will permit us to install an ADA-compliant and future-flood-resistant path and bridge,  as well as a riparian slope “garden”. While this is going on, please use the rear entrance (facing the road). We look forward to seeing you!

This collage of photos was created by Elizabeth Spinney, copyright © 2015 and used by permission.

This work is being funded by donors like you, the Vermont Department of Transportation though a Vermont Better Back Roads grant, and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Ecosystems Restoration Program.  These are both matching grants so we still need your help to fully fund these grants.  Donate to help! We happily accept donations online through JustGive, NetworkForGood, and PayPal. You can also call (802) 434-2167 with your credit card info, or send a check in any amount at any time to

Birds of Vermont Museum
900 Sherman Hollow Road
Huntington, Vermont 05462
 

Thank you to Grover Engineering, the State of Vermont (VTRANS and DEC), and John Scott Excavating. Let us thank you!

Bridges to Birds: where we’ve been

How it All Began in July 2013: Flash flooding at the Museum
Plus photos.
Last Year’s Update: Bridges to Birds: Connecting to People
And the Treehouse phase: A New Point of View (from our Treehouse)
A booklet about it: Bridges to Birds (1Mb PDF)
How We Thank You: Recognition, Gifts, and Adventure
All four phases, outlined: A Four-fold Project

And the collected posts (tagged “Bridges to Birds”)

 

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Progress on the Museum entrance way: the road culvert

Boulders to support and protect the culvert and the road
John Scott Excavating laid some beautiful boulders on the Museum side of the road, around and above the road culvert.

Last week has seen a lot of changes outdoors at the Birds of Vermont Museum, between our front door and our parking lot, and along that section of Sherman Hollow Road.

On Monday, September 14, the road culvert replacement started. This one is deeper, and has a different profile, thereby protecting the stream hydrology and local wildlife more than a shallower, smaller, round culvert would. This one allows for increased water flow, which prevents erosion and sedimentation of the stream bed. The slight “squashed” shape keeps a better aquatic corridor for critters both in and near the stream.

Since then, the excavation crew has been working both upstream and downstream. They have been installing rock and cement protection to stabilize the banks and installing a yard drain to collect stormwater runoff.

More pictures to come!

 

So many thank yous to Grover Engineering, the State of Vermont (VTRANS and DEC), and John Scott Excavating.

Let us thank you!

Bridges to Birds: where we’ve been

How it All Began in July 2013: Flash flooding at the Museum
Plus photos.
Last Year’s Update: Bridges to Birds: Connecting to People
And the Treehouse phase: A New Point of View (from our Treehouse)
A booklet about it: Bridges to Birds (1Mb PDF)
How We Thank You: Recognition, Gifts, and Adventure
All four phases, outlined: A Four-fold Project

And the collected posts (tagged “Bridges to Birds”)

Donate to help! We happily accept donations online through JustGive, NetworkForGood, and PayPal. You can also call (802) 434-2167 with your credit card info, or send a check in any amount at any time to

Birds of Vermont Museum
900 Sherman Hollow Road
Huntington, Vermont 05462
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