where natural history meets art
The Big Sit!
Sunday, October 14 • Dawn–Dusk
How many birds can we perceive from a 17-foot diameter circle? Can we beat last year’s record? Join Team Loonatics at the Birds of Vermont Museum and find out.
Snacks and coffee provided for sitters. Please bring your own binoculars.
For much more info, see http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/connect/bigsit/about.php or call the Museum at (802) 434-2167.
We could not have asked for better weather during the July 8th ButterflyWalk. Clear blue skies and comfortable temperatures welcomed the eighteen nature lovers that joined Vermont Entomological Society naturalists and entomologists for an exploratory stroll on the Birds of Vermont Museum grounds. Make sure to check out the list of the many butterflies, insects, and other miscellaneous critters participants got to experience up close!
To learn more about the Vermont Entomological Society check out their website, where you can find gorgeous photos and information about the society.
Butterflies, Insects, and Misc. Critters viewed on July 8th:
Butterflies:
Moths:
Beetles:
Other Species:
We could not have asked for better weather during the July 8th ButterflyWalk. Clear blue skies and comfortable temperatures welcomed the eighteen nature lovers that joined Vermont Entomological Society naturalists and entomologists for an exploratory stroll on the Birds of Vermont Museum grounds. Make sure to check out the list of the many butterflies, insects, and other miscellaneous critters participants got to experience up close!
To learn more about the Vermont Entomological Society check out their website, where you can find gorgeous photos and information about the society.
Butterflies, Insects, and Misc. Critters viewed on July 8th:
Butterflies:
Moths:
Beetles:
Other Species:
Did you know we just list them in the order we see them? Usually the first several are from the first day of the month. We put the ones not seen last month in bold.
*FOY stands for First Of Year.
You can always compare this list to other months, or check out sightings in the area on eBird.
a guest post by Mae M
After yesterday’s rain it was perfect weather this morning for a leisurely walk along the forest trails behind the museum. Five birders enjoyed great looks at Ovenbirds, a Hermit thrush, a Blackburnian warbler, a Yellow-rumped warbler and two Yellow-bellied sapsuckers. The Northern flicker nesting near the museum also made several appearances for our delight.
After the walk we enjoyed coffee and cake seated in front of the viewing window while Rose-breasted grosbeaks and Ruby-throated hummingbirds came in to the feeders. What could be better than that?!
Our next Early Morning Bird Walk will take place on Sunday, June 10 at 7:00-8:30. Won’t you join us? Continue reading “Highlights of the June 3rd Early Morning Bird Walk”
We were open last Saturday to celebrate and support the Great Backyard Bird Count. Naturally, we counted birds—and a few others—as well. Our results from that open time follow, and we will have our full count results posted to eBird as well.
Observed on February 19th, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
| Blue Jay | 9 |
| Hairy Woodpecker | 2 |
| Downy Woodpecker | 1 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 4 |
| Northern Cardinal (female) | 1 |
| Tufted Titmouse | 2 |
| Mourning Dove | 6 |
| Black-capped Chickadee | 4 |
| White-Breasted Nuthatch | 1 |
| European Starling | 1 |
| American Crow | 1 |
We also observed an Eastern Cottontail and 3 Red Squirrels.
How did your counts go?
Guest post from Ali Wagner, Birder and Museum Member
Last fall, a few of Vermont’s counties decided to take part in a friendly challenge of seeing and reporting the most species of birds during the 2011 calendar year. This has morphed into a state-wide challenge with all counties eagerly participating.
The quest, as described by the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, is “part fun, part discovery, part conservation, but mostly fun.”
The goal is to get more people involved in birding as well as documenting bird species of the state. There’s a nice write-up at eBird: http://ebird.org/content/vt/news/vermont-county-birding-quest-takes-flight
If you would like to contribute your sightings, go to www.ebird.org/content/vt or www.vtecostudies.org/quest to sign up! If you have any questions, you can contact Ali at alikatofvt@gmavt.net or 802 434-7672.
