where natural history meets art
Warm and dry pretty much the whole month. Pleasant for sitting around, and can make some nice updrafts. Did you go hawk watching?
Every now and then this year, a warbler comes to the feeder—not to eat, apparently, just to check things out from that perch. And (presumably less often) we notice!
The most relaxed birding around. And around and around …
How many birds (and birdwatchers) can we identify from a 17-foot diameter circle between sunrise and sunset? Can we beat last year’s record? We’ve seen birds big and small, in night and day: from Kinglets to Great Blue Herons, Barred Owls to Turkey Vultures.
This is a great long-running community science project. Pledges and donations welcome:
We are observing from Dawn to Dusk. The Museum is open from 10am – 4pm.
Call or email to ask about joining the observation team.
For much more info, see https://www.thebigsit.org/ .
Check out the reports from previous years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 (overall), 2021 (ours), 2022 (overall), 2022 (ours), 2023 (overall), 2023 (ours)
Oh my gosh, it’s been SO dry. Thankfully, we have a little trickle of water coming into a well-shaded tiny pond. The Bee balm and the willow and the goldenrod are a bit too tall and dense to see the birds taking their small drinks at the water, though! (The Hummingbirds sure like the bee balm!)
Birds and Myth continues in October! Visit often, as some works are for sale and may go to new homes during the season.
Birds are some of our teachers, not only through our senses and observations, but also through our stories about them. These stories can be factual accounts, broader myths, or something in between. Legends, beliefs, representations, truth, insight, guidance, metaphors, meanings, and understandings all play a part. What birds play a part in your autumn mythologies? You might enjoy reading the call to artists also.
The show is open when the Museum is (Wednesday – Sundays, May 1 – October 31) and is included with admission. Admission is free for members.
Goodness it’s been hot. What did you have out for birds in your backyard to beat the heat? We have multiple types of cover (shade and safety) and water as well. These robins used the roof of one our sheds as their shade.
Birds and Myth continues in September! Visit often, as some works are for sale and may go to new homes during the season.
Birds are some of our teachers, not only through our senses and observations, but also through our stories about them. These stories can be factual accounts, broader myths, or something in between. Legends, beliefs, representations, truth, insight, guidance, metaphors, meanings, and understandings all play a part.
The Birds of Vermont Museum’s 2025 art show is centered on the ideas of birds, myth, meanings, metaphors, and guides. We called for art that brings birds and their meanings to retell an old story, weaves several together, represents beliefs, and/or creates a myth for the future.
The show is open when the Museum is (Wednesday – Sundays, May 1 – October 31) and is included with admission. Admission is free for members.
We had some great Early Bird Walks this month—you can visit our checklists at eBird to see what we observed not from the window (link below).
By the end of the month, it felt like things are settling down : a robin is incubating or raising a second brood near our back door; adult cardinals are feeding young. Who next will bring their babies around? Chickadees? Blue Jays? Hummingbirds? Watch for fluttering wings and listen for unusual squeakings.
We are really enjoying this “sunset” series. Come along for another walk with us!
Enjoy a sunset stroll around the Museum’s forests and clearings and “meet” some of them. Erin Talmage and Ali Wagner will lead the walk.
Although we may see and hear fewer species than we do at dawn, a late day ramble gives us more time to appreciate each kind and to better learn their songs. In addition, we may observe moths, frogs, other insects, and maybe even a mammal or two.
Please call 802 434-2167 to reserve your spot, or try the button below:
Max: 8
Suggested donation: $5-$15
Meet at the Museum entrance
Conditions: Trails can be muddy and uneven, and there are some slopes. We usually walk then pause for observation. Some benches here and there provide additional rest points.
Tick protection is recommended.
Photo: Hermit Thrush by Mark Paul. Used here with permission.
Not an early riser? You’re not alone. Some birds also prefer to sing, call, or display in late afternoon and early evening.
Enjoy a another sunset stroll around the Museum’s forests and clearings and “meet” some of them. Erin Talmage and Ali Wagner will lead the walk.
Although we may see and hear fewer species than we do at dawn, a late day ramble gives us more time to appreciate each kind and to better learn their songs. In addition, we may observe moths, frogs, other insects, and maybe even a mammal or two.
Please call 802 434-2167 to reserve your spot, or try the button below:
Max: 8
Suggested donation: $5-$15
Meet at the Museum entrance
Conditions: Trails can be muddy and uneven, and there are some slopes. We usually walk then pause for observation. Some benches here and there provide additional rest points.
Tick protection is recommended.
Photo: Hermit Thrush by Mark Paul. Used here with permission.
Well, we have a “happenin’ summer!”
Arts events are the big focus in July, with a concert, a workshop, and a reception. If you need something a bit more detailed, try the Butterfly and Big Walk. If you want quiet reflection, there’s another Forest Sit. Need to stomp some feet? Drop by the Blues for Breakfast concert at the Huntington Rec Field.
Scroll on down and find out more!