Tag: monitoring

the Big Sit 2023!

A Stanley brand 25' metal measuring tape; a pair of black binoculars; a bag of Birds and Beans coffee (scarlet tanager dark roast). All three item are line d up on a wooden railing, with green foliage behind them.

The most relaxed birding around. And around and around …

How many birds (and birdwatchers) can we identify from a 17-foot diameter circle between sunrise and sunset? Can we beat last year’s record? We’ve seen birds big and small, in night and day: from Kinglets to Great Blue Herons, Barred Owls to Turkey Vultures.

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.

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, 2020, 2021 (overall), 2021 (ours), 2022 (overall), 2022 (ours)

several birders standing during a Big Sit event

September Bird Monitoring Walk

Sparrow spp. © 2019 E. Talmage and used by permission

All birders (current, experienced, newbie and would-be!) are welcome! Attend our monthly monitoring walk outdoors on the Museum’s trails in forest and meadow.

Most fun for adults, older children. Please bring your own binoculars, and dress for the weather. Tick repellent and water bottles are recommended.

Max: 12 people
Suggested donation $10 – $15




Outdoors

Photo: Sparrow spp. © 2019 E. Talmage and used by permission.

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Through the Window: June 2023

Adult Common Grackle tends its juvenile while a Rose-breasted Grosbeak looks on.
Adult Common Grackle tends its juvenile while a Rose-breasted Grosbeak looks on.

Sadly, yes, we are missing the May list. Somehow we managed to neither transcribe nor photograph the list before wiping the board for June. It was amazing, but you don’t have to trust my word for it. Check out the eBird checklists for the May walks.

But time flows on and the birds do their things, so here’s the …

June Bird List

Continue reading “Through the Window: June 2023”

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Through the Window: April 2023

Blue-headed Vireos carved by Bob Spear in the mid 1990s.
Blue-headed Vireos are returning to Vermont. This carving was done by Bob Spear in the mid 1990s.

Funny thing about our April bird list: two common species were not recorded (and one somewhat less frequently seen at from the viewing window, but definitely around). Does that mean they weren’t seen (and if so, where were they)? Or did they really busy themselves elsewhere in the woods?

Do you know which they were? the two I’m thinking of were recorded during our April Bird Monitoring Walk…

April Bird List

Continue reading “Through the Window: April 2023”

August Bird Monitoring Walk

Yellow Warbler ©copyright Bob Johnson and used by permission

All birders (current, experienced, newbie and would-be!) are welcome! Attend our monthly monitoring walk outdoors on the Museum’s trails in forest and meadow.

Most fun for adults, older children. Please bring your own binoculars, and dress for the weather. Tick repellent and water bottles are recommended.

Max: 12 people

Suggested donation $10 – $15
Registration required.



Outdoors

Photo: Photo of Yellow Warbler ©copyright Bob Johnson and used by permission.

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Through the Window: March 2023

A Mourning Dove and a Blue Jay face each other across of platform containing black oil sunflower seeds.
A Mourning Dove and a Blue Jay face each other across of platform containing black oil sunflower seeds.

March is all about the this-way-and-that-way dance of winter, spring, and mud seasons. Watch for migrants returning and spring behaviors in, well, everyone. Two things we especially like:

The “Oh sweetie” song of the Black-capped Chickadee.
And those Mourning Dove males who keep getting distracted from eating—instead, they puff up and pace after the females, begging for their attention.

March Bird List

Continue reading “Through the Window: March 2023”

CANCELLED July Bird Monitoring Walk

Unidentified hawk overhead against a brilliantly blue sky. Photo copyright Erin Talmage and used by permission.

We’re sorry we had to cancel this walk!

Even so, the trails are open sunrise to sunset, and the Museum is open for regular weekend hours (10-4, both Saturday and Sunday).

All birders (current, experienced, newbie and would-be!) welcome! Attend our monthly monitoring walk outdoors on the Museum’s trails in forest and meadow.

Most fun for adults and older youth. Please bring your own binoculars, and dress for the weather. We recommend bringing tick repellent and a water bottle.

Max: 12 people
Suggested donation $10 – $15

Photo: Unidentified hawk overhead against a brilliantly blue sky. Photo copyright Erin Talmage and used by permission.

Early Birders Morning Walk

small songbird seen from underneath

Early summer mornings are terrific for birding. 

Who’s singing, calling, nesting, or flying around the Birds of Vermont Museum? Discover birds on an early morning ramble in the Museum’s forest and meadows. Walks are led by experienced birders familiar with Vermont birds.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Early mornings are often damp with dew and boots are definitely in order. Don’t forget bug spray/tick repellent!

Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Suggested donation: $10-$15



Max: 12 people • waitlist available if walk fills

Masks recommended inside the Museum.

Two people stand on a footbridge looking through binoculars; one is pointing at something out of frame. Trees with spring foliage can be seen behind them.

This typical view of a warbler is copyright © E. Talmage and used with permission.

Early Birders Morning Walk

chestnut sided warbler by Erin Talmage

Late spring mornings are terrific for birding. 

Who’s singing, calling, nesting, or flying around the Birds of Vermont Museum? Discover birds on an early morning ramble in the Museum’s forest and meadows. Walks are led by experienced birders familiar with Vermont birds. This week, board members Mae and Bill Mayville lead the walk.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Early mornings are often damp with dew and boots are definitely in order. Don’t forget bug spray/tick repellent!

Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Suggested donation: $10-$15


Max: 12 people • waitlist available if walk fills

Masks recommended inside the Museum.(We will update this listing with any changed COVID-19 precautions as we get closer to the date.)

Two people stand on a footbridge looking through binoculars; one is pointing at something out of frame. Trees with spring foliage can be seen behind them.

Image of Chestnut-side Warbler copyright © E. Talmage and used with permission.

Early Birders Morning Walk

Eastern Phoebe on a bare branch

Late spring mornings are terrific for birding. 

Who’s singing, calling, nesting, or flying around the Birds of Vermont Museum? Discover birds on an early morning ramble in the Museum’s forest and meadows. Walks are led by experienced birders familiar with Vermont birds.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Early mornings are often damp with dew and boots are definitely in order. Don’t forget bug spray/tick repellent!

Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Suggested donation: $10-$15
Register online—click/ tap the button below:


Max: 12 people • waitlist available if walk fills

Masks recommended inside the Museum. (We will update this listing with any changed COVID-19 precautions as we get closer to the date.)

Two people stand on a footbridge looking through binoculars; one is pointing at something out of frame. Trees with spring foliage can be seen behind them.

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