where natural history meets art
We continued to be light on the feeding this month, as we tried to do our bit to reduce or limit the spread of the mysterious disease we’d heard of—encouraging the equivalent of “social distancing” for birds. This disease had not been reported in Vermont. By the end of the month, we had resumed a very limiting feeding schedule. Continue reading “Through the Window: August 2021”
The most relaxed birding around. And around and around …
How many birds can we identify from a 17-foot diameter circle from sunrise to sunset? Can we beat last year’s record?
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. Masks required when inside the Museum, and recommended when less that 6 feet apart outdoors.
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
![[Great Crested Flycatcher on office window netting. May 2019]](https://cpanel3.neonova.net/~wwwbirdsofvt/wpsite2017/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Great-crested-flycatcher-office-window-kjt-May2109-e1560095402160-188x300.jpg)
We stopped feeding birds this month, as we waited to hear more about a mysterious disease affecting eyes (at least) in birds in the mid-west/mid-Atlantic regions. However, we did see rather a good selection of birds as usual until then!
Continue reading “Through the Window: July 2021”
So many birds. So little time.
We went out on the trails, watched from the windows, kept filling the bird feeders…
We had quite a bit of fun online and in the woods this month. Still, it’s always pleasant to sit and watch birds at the window, over staff lunch or morning coffee with some fellow birders. And April is always kinda wowza!
We had rather a good number of visitors (by appointment) as we worked away on the behind-the-scenes things we do (preparing for opening in spring, if all goes well). One of our month’s highlights wasn’t birds at all, but lady beetles! You can read more about them here: https://birdsofvermont.org/2021/03/12/lady-beetles-in-vermont-j-pupko/
But back to birds… quite the exciting mix!
Early blooming wildflowers pop up from their winter slumber once the snow and cold retreat from the woods. Their presence is fleeting since these plants only bloom, undergo pollination, and produce seed in the brief period when sunlight reaches the forest floor before trees leaf out. In this part of the Northeast, we may expect to find up to a dozen species of colorful, delicate-looking, yet hardy, beauties.
Enjoy this spring walk with Museum Educator Allison Gergely.
Please dress for weather. Face masks required when we are within 6 feet of each other.
Please register in advance and get a confirmation using this link or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-ephemerals-walk-registration-150091781559 or click/tap this button:
Max: 5 people
Free, suggested donation $10
If you are a family group with more than 5 members, please contact us.
If the walk fills, but there’s enough interest, we may be able to schedule more walks. Call or email museum@birdsofvermont.org, or call (802) 434-2167.
#NatureWalk #SpringInVermont #SpringEphemerals
Aside from about a gazillion redpolls (I’m sure that’s a technical measure), not too much unusual for winter birds at the Museum this month. Our list is below!
One thing we love about January is the potential for surprises. Irruptions, mutli-species flocks, or interesting marks in the snow can all happen. Which bird might we get to see this month? Will we be lucky enough to see it from the window? Will there be many? Which ones would we expect and not see after all? Each possibility is a delight.
We hope your final month of 2020 was as easy and comfortable as possible, with good birding, friends near and far, and rich in love.
Decembers are often quite quiet at the Museum and this month’s bird list certainly shows it. Which ones come to your feeders?