where natural history meets art
April sometimes make me think of the distant rumble of a storm, long before it gets here. Instead of a rumble though, it’s the first waves of migratory birds coming north, reminding us spring is about to crash over us.
Yes, yes, some places have spring earlier, say March, or even February (such a thought) . Or September, if that’s your hemisphere!
But that sense of impended gloriousness? That perhaps happens for you too. I hope it does!
April is upon us! You know what that means: hiccuping weather. Winter today, spring tomorrow, and a whole lotta mud, especially on the roads. Drive with care, especially if you’re birding at the same time. (We recommend pulling over. I mean, really.)
What? It also means returning species? You better believe it. What’s your favorite harbinger of spring?
Starting Wednesday, January 23, we’ll host the new six-week It’s a Bird’s Life series. Sponsored by a local Community Senior Center and the Birds of Vermont Museum, meet on six consecutive Wednesdays at 1:30 at the Birds of Vermont Museum, and learn more about specific Vermont birds—as well as two sessions connecting coffee and maple to birds!
Continue reading “New “It’s a Bird’s Life” talks starting soon”
Some surprises and delights by the time the Bird Monitoring Walk and Christmas Bird Count rolled around. (We did not actually have quite this much snow, but it’s getting there.)
More light traffic… or should I say continued light traffic? at the feeders this month.
Through October, we continued to have light traffic at our feeders, but plenty of birds deeper in the woods. Great insects, fruits, berries? Could be.
This month’s list includes what we observed at the Big Sit!, one of our favorite birding activities.
Crazily warm day for a walk last Saturday! Birds are singing: there was a tremendous cacophony of competing Black-capped chickadees singing on Thursday the 23rd, which was a delight. Today the Northern Cardinal was singing in the dogwoods. And the Birders left lots of treats in the Museum fridge; I think I gained 10 pounds just nibbling on them as I assembled this post for you… Thanks everyone, for baked goodies, bird observations, and community companionship.
Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
Feb 25, 2017 8:05 AM
Protocol: Traveling
Party Size: 8
Duration: 1 hour(s), 35 minute(s)
Distance: 1.609 kilometer(s)
Comments:
10 species
Canada Goose 12
Flyover
Mourning Dove 17
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 10
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
In the feeder area, 1 male
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34782352
Feb 25, 2017 8:00 AM - 10:35 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Observed from the feeder window during the monitoring walk. Very warm conditions: 50 degrees.
7 species
Mourning Dove 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 4
Blue Jay 5
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Red-winged Blackbird 3
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34783779
These reports were generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
We’ll be out again on March 25 at 8:00 a.m. for our next Monthly Bird Monitoring Walk. Tell us you’ll be joining us!
Remember: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
It’s a quiet week in – oh, wait. Right. We went walking! Also not-walking. Both activities let us record birds.
Thank you, Executive Director Erin Talmage, for leading this month’s walk. Happy New Year! Continue reading “Species List: December 2016 Bird Monitoring”
Who’s out and about, overhead or foraging on the forest floor?
Come to our Bird Monitoring Walk, October 29: let’s find out! https://www.facebook.com/events/1771702999709137/
Michelle Patenaude led the June 26th Early Birders Morning Walk as well. The walks this year have been so well-attended! It’s been wonderful to welcome birders, old and new, to the Museum.
Here’s the report:
Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US Jun 26, 2016 7:05 AM - 9:25 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 kilometer(s) Comments: Early Birders Walk led by Michele Patenaude 34 species Mallard 1 Mourning Dove 2 Barred Owl 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 7 observed adult at nest with young in it Downy Woodpecker 2 Eastern Phoebe 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay 5 Black-capped Chickadee 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 5 Winter Wren 1 Hermit Thrush 2 Wood Thrush 1 American Robin 2 Gray Catbird 1 Ovenbird 11 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 5 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 3 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Pine Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 2 Dark-eyed Junco 1 White-throated Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 Red-winged Blackbird 2 Common Grackle 2 American Goldfinch 2 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30398032 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Join usnext year, in May and June, for the next series of early morning walks. Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot. Of course, we hope to see you long before then! There’s so much more to see and do here at the Museum, after all.