Tag: birds

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Through the Window: November 2014

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Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Blue Jay
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • American Goldfinch
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Song Sparrow
  • Mourning Dove
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Fox Sparrow (2 on 11/9)
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Wild Turkey (16 in flock, only 1 male)

An Eastern Chipmunk was still awake this month, and of course the Red Squirrels and Gray Squirrels are attempting to scarf up all the seeds and corn on the ground before the turkeys get to it…
We’re open by appointment from now until April 30. You are always welcome, just call or email to schedule a visit. Whether you’re working on bird ID skills, want to explore example of the woodcarvers’ art, learning about winter bird feeding, or seeking citizen science opportunities for yourself or kid, we can help! Call or email to set up your time to visit: (802) 434-2167 or museum@birdsofvermont.org.

 

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.

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“Birds of a Fiber”: Call to Artists from the Birds of Vermont Museum

Do you create with fibers? Do you have a thing for birds, science, or conservation? We do too. Please consider sharing your artistic and craft skills with us and our visitors!

The Birds of Vermont Museum seeks both art and craft for our 2015 season Art Exhibit, “Birds of a Fiber”. The show runs from May 1 to October 31 in the Museum’s multi-purpose room, halls, and foyer. Art should speak to or about birds and conservation. Our goal is to show a wide yet harmonious variety of work and media.

We seek fiber-based submissions from art trading card size to double-bed quilts, from felting to weaving to collage to…. Most art will be hung on the walls. We have shelf space for three-dimensional works and some ceiling space if your work is suitable there. Feel free to visit and scope out the options.

A few Birds of a Fiber from a google search. Let these inspire!
A few Birds of a Fiber from a google search. Let these inspire

You may submit up to 3 works, by sending not more than three (3) .jpgs showing your work to museum@birdsofvermont.org ; please put “Submission for Birds of a Fiber” in the email subject. If you do not have email, you may send up to three prints to the Museum, attention Birds of a Fiber. Please include your contact information and a description of fibers/media, size, and weight. Entries are due by March 1, 2015.

Museum staff will select pieces by March 21 and will let artists know by email if possible. We are looking to showcase diverse interpretations from both new and returning artists. The Museum asks for permission to reproduce images of the selected works in print and online as part of publicity for the exhibit; if you prefer partial or cropped images for this, or have preferred images, please tell us or supply those.

Selected pieces should arrive at the Museum during the first weeks of April and be ready to hang (if applicable). Artists are responsible for shipping, or drop-off/pick-up. Pick-up should occur by November 30, 2015.

Artists who show their work here are invited to sell originals, prints, and/or cards through us (on consignment). We often arrange artist workshops at the Museum as well.

Please call or email Kir Talmage or Allison Gergely with any questions. We can be reached at 802 434-2167 or museum@birdsofvermont.org. We look forward to seeing your work!

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Through the Window: October 2014

October is so full of color changes. Not, perhaps, so much for birds; they’ve already mostly shifted into their winter costumes if they’re going to (hey, American Goldfinches, I’m looking at you). But look at some of those birds…if you can see them against the leaves. Did you know there were so many beautiful shades and tints of browns? Look again; there’s another.

Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Purple Finch
  • Blue Jay
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • American Goldfinch
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Song Sparrow
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Northern Goshawk (10/2, 10/9)
  • American Crow
  • Mourning Dove
  • Common Grackle
  • Brown Thrasher (10/8)
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Fox Sparrow (10/26)
  • Pileated Woodpecker (at the front of Museum eating dried-on-the-vine grapes)
  • Barred Owl (several days after 10/25, in the trees along the road by the Museum, and even hunting in the verge)

We’ve just shifted to winter hours (that is, by appointment). If you’d like to come and practice your bird ID skills and find out more about winter feeding or winter birdwatching and citizen science opportunites, great! (We have these nifty birds-carved-in-wood, too…) Call or email to set up your time to visit: (802) 434-2167 or museum@ birdsofvermont.org.

 

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.

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Through the Window: September 2014

And off they go! Our summer friends head south, northern friends arrive, and some of our year-rounders stick around. (Some of course are the same species but different individuals. That’s a little tricky for us to tell, though sometimes we try.) Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Common Grackle
  • Song Sparrow
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Blue Jay
  • Mourning Dove
  • Ruby-throated Humming bird (seen on September 5, 6, and 9. Only females seen.)
  • American Goldfinch
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Wild Turkey
  • Purple Finch
  • White-throated Sparrow (9/10 and later)
  • American Crow
  • White-crowned Sparrow (9/25, 9/26)
  • Northern Cardinal (9/30)

Come watch birds and write on our board too! We’re open daily from 10-4 through October, and we have galleries and trails, a pond, creeks, a tree house and a gift shop—all for you!  (In November, you just need to call for an appointment to come inside. Easy!) Check out our calendar of events for special things to do and see.  And if you’re online, follow along some of the migration data with BirdCast or eBird.

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 to make it more difficult for birds to see the watchers. We have chairs and binoculars to try there, 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.

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Through the Window: August 2014

This has been a stupendous August! Very beautiful. Of course, sometimes we have to be inside, so thank goodness for a viewing window. (Sometimes, the turkeys come up and view us…) Perhaps you will add to the list next month! Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • American Goldfinch
  • Purple Finch
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Mourning Dove
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Goshawk (and now, one fewer Mourning Dove)
  • Wild Turkey (2-5 turkeys visit us fairly regularly, but just down the road in the meadow, we observed at least two families. The young ones have not yet been brought to the Museums feeder area—at least, not while we have been watching!)
  • Song Sparrow
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Blue Jay (including at least one balding, ah the joys of moulting!)
  • Eastern Wood Pewee (8/4)
  • Common Grackle
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • American Crow
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Northern Flicker
  • Nashville Warbler or Ruby-crowned Kinglet (8/14 on the Hummingbird feeder)

Of course, some of our usual suspects are back…with friends: Red squirrels, gray squirrels, Eastern Chipmunks, Woodchuck (Ground hog) and an Eastern Cottontail, various bees an wasp species, and Sphinx Moths.

Come see them for yourself! We’re open daily from 10-4 and we have galleries and trails, waterways and a gift shop—all for you! Plus we have a new, accessible “elevated bird blind” (also known as “treehouse). Check out our calendar of events for special things to do and see.

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 to make it more difficult for birds to see the watchers. We have chairs and binoculars to try there, 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.

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Expert birder pwned by 4-year old

Guest story by our friend and expert birder, AW.

While the four-year old (L) picked and munched on fresh beans from the garden, I noticed some birds in a dead tree. Red-eyed Vireo, a young Eastern Phoebe, and wait! Oh! A warbler? A Wilson’s? That would be cool, a first in my yard.

Me: Hey L, there’s a really cool bird in the tree; I think it’s a Wilson’s Warbler. I’m going to go set up my scope to get a good look if you want to come look at it.

L: Okay, I’ll come.

Me: This could be a Wilson’s Warbler! It would be great to see one because they just pass through Vermont when migrating. We don’t get a chance to see them often. Continue reading “Expert birder pwned by 4-year old”

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Through the Window: July 2014

What a lovely July we’ve had. (And no flash floods.) Enjoy our list of birds from the viewing window. Perhaps you will plan a trip to relax, watch, and add your observations to our board. Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Common Grackle
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Mourning Dove
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Blue Jay
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Song Sparrrow
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • American Goldfinch
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Great Crested Flycatcher (7/7 Cathy P and Stewart K saw it at the Bird house)
  • Evening Grosbeak (7/7 and 7/10)
  • Wild Turkey
  • House Finch
  • Coopers hawk (7/12)
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Blue Jay (doing a Red-shouldered Hawk call)
  • Eastern Phoebe (top of roof)
  • Chipping Sparrow
  • Purple Finch
  • Catbird

In other right-by-the-window notes: Bee balm blooming by 7/5; Chipmunk to Coopers hawk (7/18) [Ed note: did someone see one being taken? Wow!] and Clear-winged Sphinx Moth (first seen on 7/27).

Come see them for yourself! We’re open daily from 10-4 and we have lovel walks, inspiring science/art commentary, and astonishingly detailed woodcarvings, as well as live birds outside. Plus our new, accessible “elevated bird blind” (also known as “treehouse). Check out our calendar of events for special things to do and see.

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 to make it more difficult for birds to see the watchers. We have chairs and binoculars to try there, 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.

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Early Birders’ Observations for June 29, 2014

Erin Talmage led the June 29, 2014,  Early Birders Morning Walk . Last Early Birders walk for the season. (Of course we will have more bird walks under other titles. This series will be back next spring, too. No worries!)

Enjoy our summary:

 BBirds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 Jun 29, 2014 7:00 AM - 9:20 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 2.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early Birders Walk led by Shirley Johnson.
 37 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  1     heard drumming
 Northern Goshawk  1
 Broad-winged Hawk  1
 Mourning Dove  2
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  8
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  4
 Blue Jay  8
 American Crow  2
 Common Raven  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  6
 White-breasted Nuthatch  2
 House Wren  2
 Winter Wren  3
 Veery  1
 Hermit Thrush  2
 Wood Thrush  1
 American Robin  2
 Gray Catbird  1
 Cedar Waxwing  2
 Ovenbird  9     3 recently fledged, calling incessantly from trees; crowns were dull; exhibited poor motor planning which led to determination they were fledglings.
 Common Yellowthroat  2
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
 Black-throated Green Warbler  2
 Song Sparrow  2
 White-throated Sparrow  1
 Scarlet Tanager  2
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4
 Indigo Bunting  1     singing
 Red-winged Blackbird  2
 Baltimore Oriole  2
 American Goldfinch  1
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18942056
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join this walk series again next spring! We’ll start of the day with birders and birds, not to mention other woodland dwellers. 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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Through the Window: June 2014

June is unbelievably beautiful; in Vermont—even when you are only looking through a window. Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Blue Jay
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Wild Turkey
  • Mourning Dove
  • Hairy Woodpecker (also juvenile, 6/24)
  • American Crow
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Common Grackle (also juvenile)
  • Eastern Phoebe (heard)
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Black-billed Cuckoo (heard at parking lot)
  • American Goldfinch
  • Song Sparrow
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Red-tailed Hawk (soaring over parking lot)
  • Common Raven (over parking lot)

Additional friends and neighbors: Eastern Chipmunk, Red squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Woodchuck, , young White-tailed Deer (6/29), Tiger Swallowtail, White Admiral, and Skipper spp. butterflies, and a Swamp Darner (a rare dragonfly 6/7).

Come see them for yourself! We’re open daily from 10-4 and we have great art, cool science, and astonishingly detailed woodcarvings, as well as live birds outside. Check out our calendar of events for special things to do and see.

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 to make it more difficult for birds to see the watchers. We have chairs and binoculars to try there, 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.

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Early Birders’ Observations for June 22, 2014

Shirley Johnson led the June 22, 2014,  Early Birders Morning Walk . Thirty-eight species this day!

Enjoy our week’s walk’s summary:

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 Jun 22, 2014 7:05 AM - 9:25 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 2.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early morning bird walk led by Shirley Johnson
 38 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  1
 Mourning Dove  1
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  6     seen in various areas along the trails
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Northern Flicker  1
 Pileated Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
 Eastern Phoebe  1
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Blue-headed Vireo  0     monitored nest was unoccupied;  perhaps adults are off feeding
 Red-eyed Vireo  5
 Blue Jay  5
 American Crow  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  16     several families seen and heard along the trails
 Tufted Titmouse  1
 House Wren  2
 Winter Wren  1
 Veery  1
 Wood Thrush  1
 American Robin  3
 Gray Catbird  1
 Cedar Waxwing  2
 Ovenbird  4
 Louisiana Waterthrush  2
 Common Yellowthroat  1
 American Redstart  1
 Blackburnian Warbler  1
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  4     two adults seen carrying food, both dropped down into brushy area with the food so we assumed it where the nest is!
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
 Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
 Black-throated Green Warbler  2
 Song Sparrow  1
 Dark-eyed Junco  1
 Scarlet Tanager  2
 Indigo Bunting  1
 Baltimore Oriole  1
 Purple Finch  1
 American Goldfinch  2
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18860273
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for the last one, Sunday the 29th 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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