Category: Museum Events

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Museum closed Sept 14-15 for Road Culvert Replacement

The Museum will be closed to visitors on Monday and Tuesday, September 14-15, while the Town replaces a culvert on Sherman Hollow Road.

This is the next step in our Bridges to Birds project!  We will begin the stream bank restoration and entrance path/bridge when the culvert is in place.

We can be reached by phone (802 434-2167) or email museum@birdsofvermont.org.

The Board Meeting will still take place on Tuesday evening.

We are very excited about this!

Spray paint markings to guide the road crew when they begin to replace the culvert.
Spray paint markings to guide the road crew when they begin to replace the culvert.

 

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)
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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The Four Phases of Bridges to Birds

B2B-Banner

Bridges to Birds incorporates disaster recovery, resilience, and prior long-term plans to make outdoor experiences at the Museum accessible to all visitors, including people with limited abilities and families with small children. This four-phase project also expands conservation and educational opportunities and increases the number of locations available for quiet appreciation and contemplation of the natural world.

Connecting to People:
Bridge and Walkway

$104,000
(still need $56,500)

This phase means

* New wildlife observation areas
* Fully ADA-compliant access from parking to Museum
* Protected riparian areas and stream bank stabilization
* Publicly visible donor acknowledgments
* Improved bird habitat
* Resistance to future flooding and precipitation events

We are working with the State of Vermont, the Town of Huntington, and civil, structural, and hydrological engineers to design and build a bridge and walkway after installation of a larger culvert under the road. Interpretive signs, plantings, and welcome information will follow.

Connecting to Nature:
Interpretative Trails

$17,000
(still need $9,000)

This phase provides

* Outdoor exploration
* Citizen scientist access
* Routes for monitoring and birding walks
* Integration with and protection of woodland, meadow, and near-pond habitats
* Peaceful retreats
* Well-maintained trails

Volunteers, staff, and interns repair trails, footbridges, and handrails. We continue to work routing water away from trails, and providing sturdy footing where needed. New maps, signage, and guide materials will be created.

Connecting to New Perspectives:
The Treehouse

$30,000
(still need $2,500)

This phase showcases

* An accessible (ADA-compliant) treehouse, reached by a gravel ramp
* Opportunites to observe birds in the forest canopy
* An outdoor classroom /exhibit space
* New nature-focused programs and activities

The treehouse is already open! We completed the construction thanks to a generous partnership with Center for Technology Essex, Evergreen Roofing, and dozens of volunteers. A grant from the Vermont Community Foundation helped with treehouse-specific programming. The last donations will fund educational signage and seating.

Connecting to Conservation:
Bird-friendly Gardens

$6,000
(still need $2,000)

This phase includes
* Demonstration gardens
* Native plants
* Quiet contemplation spaces
* Habitat and foraging diversity for native birds
* Inspiring and encouraging Vermont gardeners and would-be gardeners

The Gardens phase integrates previous work by staff, interns, and gardeners on local, bird-friendly plantings, garden layout, and native species. Garden beds, paths, booklets, informative signs, and short education tours all extend the experience.

 

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
More about the Treehouse: A New Point of View (from our Treehouse)
A booklet about it: Bridges to Birds (1Mb PDF)
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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Connections in the Canopy

The Birds of Vermont Museum’s treehouse debuted one year ago, much to the delight of the Museum community. Constructed by the students and instructors at the Center for Technology, Essex, the new structure, tucked into the trees above Sherman Hollow Brook, has already proven its immense value as an observation deck and a learning lab. Children attending our Nestling’s Nook story hour and Fledglings Junior Birder programs have enjoyed the treehouse’s outdoor adventure atmosphere as they explore the connections birds have with the environment. Girl Scout troops from the Green and White Mountains Council incorporated the treehouse into their nature walks while participating in three special programs at the Museum this past year. School groups following our guiding questions packet ponder sensory input such as sight, sound, smell, and touch to develop an understanding of the elements of natural systems in their midst. Interpretive drawings of living and non-living components in the bird-filled habitat surrounding the treehouse help young people make connections within food webs and nutrient use and recycling.

Many visitors to the treehouse linger over a picnic lunch as they take in the 360-degree view of life within the tree canopy. Bob and Gale enjoyed regular lunch dates there throughout last summer while connecting with the magic of the Birds of Vermont. Situated over the brook, the treehouse enables new and experienced birders to hear and glimpse birds which favor habitats featuring flowing water, such as the Louisiana Waterthrush. During the spring breeding season, Early Birders’ walks regularly finish at the treehouse for debriefing and bird chats.

It’s been a joy to see how accessible and enlightening the treehouse is for our visitors; we look forward to new experiences in the coming days and months. We hope you will join us there too!

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Early Birders’ Observations for June 21, 2015

The the second-to-last 2015  Early Birders Morning Walk was was rich in rain and then some more rain. Six dedicated birders noticed 28 species from under hoods and umbrellas, braving damp dirt roads and muddy trails to do so. Thank goodness for beverages and tasty baked goods to help us dry out by the viewing window (where we added a few more species). As she’s done this year so many times, we appreciate Mae Mayville for eBirding the results for us.

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 Sherman Hollow Road, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 Jun 21, 2015 7:00 AM - 8:45 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 0.5 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early Birders walk; raining.
 28 species
 
 Mourning Dove  3
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Merlin  1
 Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Warbling Vireo  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  1
 Blue Jay  4
 Black-capped Chickadee  2
 House Wren  3
 American Robin  3
 Gray Catbird  3
 European Starling  2
 Cedar Waxwing  4
 Common Yellowthroat  3
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  3
 Song Sparrow  3
 Northern Cardinal  2
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
 Red-winged Blackbird  8
 Common Grackle  3
 Brown-headed Cowbird  2
 Purple Finch  1
 Pine Siskin  1
 American Goldfinch 3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23991964
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for the last one this year, June 28! 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 June 14, 2015

Our Early Birders Morning Walk on June 7 was amazing! Not the highest species count, but possibly the highest birder count. Ali Wagner led the walk (and she will lead the next two also), and she is one terrific birder. Attendees ranged from brand-new to birding to decades of experience.

Thank you again to Mae for eBirding the results.

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 Jun 14, 2015 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.5 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     early birders walk
 36 species (+1 other taxa)
 
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  5
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Northern Flicker  1
 Eastern Wood-Pewee  4
 Empidonax sp.  1
 Eastern Phoebe  1
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  4
 Blue Jay  4     No activity at nest previously reported
 American Crow  2
 Common Raven  4
 Black-capped Chickadee  6
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
 White-breasted Nuthatch  2
 House Wren  2
 Veery  1
 Hermit Thrush  1
 Wood Thrush  2
 American Robin  2
 Gray Catbird  4
 Cedar Waxwing  3
 Ovenbird  4
 Louisiana Waterthrush  4     Heard vocalizations from young and adult; observed 4
 Common Yellowthroat  3
 American Redstart  1
 Blackburnian Warbler  1
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  3
 Black-throated Green Warbler  2
 Song Sparrow  2
 Dark-eyed Junco  3
 Scarlet Tanager  2
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4
 Baltimore Oriole  1
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23902062
 
 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. You can see from our records that we have experienced birders leading the walks (and attending) but beginners are welcome!! Our trails are moderate—plus we have both an accessible tree house and an indoor viewing window if you prefer an even more relaxed pace.

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 June 7, 2015

♪ ♫ “One misty, moisty morning…” when Ali led the bird walk ♪ ♫ , we had several generations of birders and we found thirty-nine species! Thank you again to Mae for eBirding the results for this week’s Early Birders Morning Walk. .

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
Jun 7, 2015 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 kilometer(s)
39 species

Ruffed Grouse  1
Mourning Dove  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  5
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  2
House Wren  1
Veery  1
Wood Thrush  2
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  3
Louisiana Waterthrush  4     
     2 continually making contact chips and carrying food, 
     2 we thought were fledglings waiting to be fed; 
     all 4 in area where streams come together
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  1
Blackburnian Warbler  3
Chestnut-sided Warbler  3
Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
Black-throated Green Warbler  3
Song Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  1
Scarlet Tanager  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Common Grackle  1
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
American Goldfinch  2

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23810800

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. You can see from our records that we have experienced birders leading the walks (and attending) but beginners are welcome!! Our trails are moderate—plus we have both an accessible treehouse and an indoor viewing window if you prefer an even more relaxed pace.

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 31, 2015

The May 31, 2015,  Early Birders Morning Walk was chilly and rainy. Rich in color if you glanced out our Viewing Window at the azaleas. A nice treat at the end: the Lincoln Sparrow carving has been sponsored by one of our members, and dedicated to Shirley and Bob Johnson (Shirley often leads the bird walks).  Today Shirley got a chance to see the plaque for the first time.

Thank you again to Mae for eBirding the results.

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 31, 2015 7:05 AM - 9:05 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     rainy and cold, 55 degrees
 24 species
 
 Mourning Dove  2
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  1
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  3
 Blue Jay  4
 Black-capped Chickadee  1
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 House Wren  1
 Wood Thrush  1
 American Robin  3
 Gray Catbird  2
 Ovenbird  4
 Blackburnian Warbler  2
 Song Sparrow  1
 Dark-eyed Junco  1
 Northern Cardinal  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
 Red-winged Blackbird  1
 Common Grackle  1
 Brown-headed Cowbird  1
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23717493
 
 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. You can see from our records that we have experienced birders leading the walks (and attending) but beginners are welcome!! Our trails are moderate—plus we have both an accessible treehouse and an indoor viewing window if you prefer an even more relaxed pace.

Finish the walk with bird-friendly coffee (thaty was quite welcome this cool morning!) at the viewing window inside the Museum. Tea too, and birders are often good bakers. Just sayin’.

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

Posted on

Early Birders’ Observations for May 24, 2015

The May 24, 2015,  Early Birders Morning Walk was another glorious day with great birders. As a special treat, a few “long-lost” Museum friends joined the walk and renewed their membership as well. And this might be our record number of species too: FORTY-TWO. Wow.

Thank you again to Mae for eBirding the results.

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 May 24, 2015 7:00 AM - 9:35 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.5 kilometer(s)
 42 species
 
 Wild Turkey  1
 Mourning Dove  2
 Black-billed Cuckoo  1     Heard only. Location: path below pond.
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  5     1 near road; 2 below pond; 2 above pond.
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Northern Flicker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  5
 Blue Jay  4
 American Crow  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  2
 White-breasted Nuthatch  1
 Brown Creeper  1
 House Wren  2
 Veery  3
 Hermit Thrush  1
 Wood Thrush  1
 American Robin  3
 Gray Catbird  3     One on nest
 Ovenbird  4
 Louisiana Waterthrush  1
 Tennessee Warbler  1
 Common Yellowthroat  6
 American Redstart  1
 Magnolia Warbler  2
 Blackburnian Warbler  2
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  3
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
 Black-throated Green Warbler  2
 Canada Warbler  1
 Song Sparrow  2
 Dark-eyed Junco  2
 Northern Cardinal  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3
 Red-winged Blackbird  8
 Common Grackle  1
 Brown-headed Cowbird  5
 Baltimore Oriole  3
 American Goldfinch  2
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23606982
 
 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. You can see from our records that we have experienced birders leading the walks (and attending) but beginners are welcome!! Our trails are moderate—plus we have both an accessible treehouse and an indoor viewing window if you prefer an even more relaxed pace.

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

Posted on

Early Birders’ Observations for May 17, 2015

The May 17, 2015,  Early Birders Morning Walk was led by our new Board President Bill Mayville.  Mae Mayville (another great volunteer and Board member) eBirded the results. Thank you!

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 May 17, 2015 7:00 AM - 9:15 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.5 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Pond trail and where Audubon Vermont trail is adjacent to pond trail
 36 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  2
 Mourning Dove  1
 Chimney Swift  2
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  5     1 on Sherman Hollow Rd, drilling tree; 
                                 2 near pond; 1way above the pond; 
                                 1 on return trail
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Northern Flicker  1
 Pileated Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Red-eyed Vireo  1
 Blue Jay  6
 American Crow  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  5
 White-breasted Nuthatch  1
 Brown Creeper  3
 House Wren  2
 Winter Wren  1
 Veery  1
 Hermit Thrush  4
 American Robin  1
 Gray Catbird  2
 Ovenbird  10
 Black-and-white Warbler  2
 Common Yellowthroat  6
 Blackburnian Warbler  1
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
 Black-throated Green Warbler  3
 Song Sparrow  1
 White-throated Sparrow  1
 Scarlet Tanager  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
 Red-winged Blackbird  1
 Brown-headed Cowbird  4
 Baltimore Oriole  3
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23488049
 
 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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