Tag: life list

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Through the Window: March 2015

“The birds are back in town, the birds are back in to-o-o-ow-own!”♪ ♫
Yes, yes, some have been here all along. And there’s still snow. And icy spots. And mud. (O mud! Ah, Vermont in early spring….) (Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.)

  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Blue Jay
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • American Raven (March 1)
  • Dark-Eyed Junco
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Common Redpoll
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Pine Siskin
  • American Robin (March 10)
  • Mourning Dove
  • Red-winged Blackbird (March 22)
  • Northern Goshawk (March 20, male, 12:20 pm)
  • American Crow (March 24)

Not only the usual Gray and Red squirrels hung around, and the Ermine made another appearance, but the Eastern Chipmunks are awake again!

Isn’t it amazing how even through much the same things happen every year, we feel such celebratory joy when it comes around again?

We’re open by appointment from now until April 30—as well as having a Volunteer Work PArty on April 11, an Eastern Bluebird Felting Class on April 19, and a Bird Monitoring walk on April 25. 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, getting intrigued by birds in art, or seeking citizen science opportunities for yourself or a child, 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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Through the Window: February 2015

Not quite as quiet as January, and a special mammal neighbor too! (Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.)

  • Blue Jay
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Mourning Dove
  • Cooper’s Hawk (2/3, flushed from the row of cedars)
  • American Crow
  • Pileated Woodpecker (on a tree)
  • Common Redpoll (2 on 2/11)
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker (2/11, 2/14)
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch (2/17)
  • Dark-eyed Junco

Not only Gray and Red squirrels this month, but an Ermine too!

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 a child, 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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Through the Window: January 2015

It’s pretty quiet around here…  Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Blue Jay
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Mourning Dove
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker (1/20 on Suet)
  • Northern Cardinal (female on swinging seed tray)

Just the usual suspects for mammals: Gray and red squirrels

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 a child, 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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Through the Window: December 2014

Happy New Year! Bird sightings are slowing down around here now for various reasons (season, opportunity,…).  Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Blue Jay
  • Mourning Dove
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Pileated Woodpecker (in various trees nearby)
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Wild Turkey (22 on 12/2)
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker (female 12/6)

I seem to have misplaced the mammal notes. Guess you’ll just have to come look for them yourself!

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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Through the Window: November 2014

….

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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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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Sharpie and Cooper’s

Guest post by Catherine Griset, Spring 2013 Intern

A small hawk hunts quietly from a perch. Watching for smaller birds, it waits until just the right moment to dive down and attack. As it flies back to its post you notice a charcoal gray back, orange barring below, and a long tail. (Or maybe a brown back, with streaking down the front.)

What kind of hawk is this?

From that description, we could be talking about either a Sharp- shinned Hawk or a Cooper’s Hawk. Regardless of age, both hawks have long, barred tails. Adults of these species are gray and orange, with red eyes; immature birds (1st year) are brown and white, with brown streaking on the chest, and yellow eyes.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (carved by Bob Spear and photographed by Erin Talmage)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (carved by Bob Spear and photographed by Erin Talmage)

Continue reading “Sharpie and Cooper’s”

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