Through the Window: May 2015

Thirty species for our first month of the Open Season! (Bold text indicates the species we did not see in March (your blogger has misplaced the April list, how embarrassing!)

  • American Goldfinch
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5/2)
  • Brown-headed Cowbird (5/2)
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Eastern Phoebe (out by the front door, not the viewing window)
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Mourning Dove
  • Blue Jay
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Evening Grosbeak (female and male 5/3)
  • Chipping Sparrow
  • Song Sparrow (5/3)
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Wild Turkey
  • Common Grackle
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • American Crow
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Pileated Woodpecker
  • American Robin
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird (5/8)
  • Brown Thrasher (5/8)
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Baltimore/Northern Oriole
  • Gray Catbird (5/21)
  • European Starling (5/25)
  • Purple Finch

We are of course charmed by mammals, too. These included Eastern Cottontail rabbit (5/31), Red Squirrels, Gray Squirrels, Eastern Chipmunks, Woodchuck. A few others of delightful note: Canadian Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (5/17), Wood Frog Tadpoles (5/8), Spotted Salamander Egg Masses (5/1).

We’re open daily for the spring/summer/fall! Doors open at 10am until 4pm, every day through October 31. Drop in ! Come several times! 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.

Early Birders’ Observations for May 31, 2015

The May 31, 2015,  Early Birders Morning Walk was chilly and rainy. Rich in color if you glanced out our Viewing Window at the azaleas. A nice treat at the end: the Lincoln Sparrow carving has been sponsored by one of our members, and dedicated to Shirley and Bob Johnson (Shirley often leads the bird walks).  Today Shirley got a chance to see the plaque for the first time.

Thank you again to Mae for eBirding the results.

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 31, 2015 7:05 AM - 9:05 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     rainy and cold, 55 degrees
 24 species
 
 Mourning Dove  2
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  1
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  3
 Blue Jay  4
 Black-capped Chickadee  1
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 House Wren  1
 Wood Thrush  1
 American Robin  3
 Gray Catbird  2
 Ovenbird  4
 Blackburnian Warbler  2
 Song Sparrow  1
 Dark-eyed Junco  1
 Northern Cardinal  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
 Red-winged Blackbird  1
 Common Grackle  1
 Brown-headed Cowbird  1
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23717493
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for the next one or more, every Sunday through the end of June. You can see from our records that we have experienced birders leading the walks (and attending) but beginners are welcome!! Our trails are moderate—plus we have both an accessible treehouse and an indoor viewing window if you prefer an even more relaxed pace.

Finish the walk with bird-friendly coffee (thaty was quite welcome this cool morning!) at the viewing window inside the Museum. Tea too, and birders are often good bakers. Just sayin’.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Best for adults and older children • Free, donations welcome.
Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org

Early Birders’ Observations for May 24, 2015

The May 24, 2015,  Early Birders Morning Walk was another glorious day with great birders. As a special treat, a few “long-lost” Museum friends joined the walk and renewed their membership as well. And this might be our record number of species too: FORTY-TWO. Wow.

Thank you again to Mae for eBirding the results.

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 May 24, 2015 7:00 AM - 9:35 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.5 kilometer(s)
 42 species
 
 Wild Turkey  1
 Mourning Dove  2
 Black-billed Cuckoo  1     Heard only. Location: path below pond.
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  5     1 near road; 2 below pond; 2 above pond.
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Northern Flicker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  5
 Blue Jay  4
 American Crow  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  2
 White-breasted Nuthatch  1
 Brown Creeper  1
 House Wren  2
 Veery  3
 Hermit Thrush  1
 Wood Thrush  1
 American Robin  3
 Gray Catbird  3     One on nest
 Ovenbird  4
 Louisiana Waterthrush  1
 Tennessee Warbler  1
 Common Yellowthroat  6
 American Redstart  1
 Magnolia Warbler  2
 Blackburnian Warbler  2
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  3
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
 Black-throated Green Warbler  2
 Canada Warbler  1
 Song Sparrow  2
 Dark-eyed Junco  2
 Northern Cardinal  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3
 Red-winged Blackbird  8
 Common Grackle  1
 Brown-headed Cowbird  5
 Baltimore Oriole  3
 American Goldfinch  2
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23606982
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for the next one or more, every Sunday through the end of June. You can see from our records that we have experienced birders leading the walks (and attending) but beginners are welcome!! Our trails are moderate—plus we have both an accessible treehouse and an indoor viewing window if you prefer an even more relaxed pace.

Finish the walk with bird-friendly coffee at the viewing window inside the Museum.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Best for adults and older children • Free, donations welcome.
Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org

Early Birders’ Observations for May 17, 2015

The May 17, 2015,  Early Birders Morning Walk was led by our new Board President Bill Mayville.  Mae Mayville (another great volunteer and Board member) eBirded the results. Thank you!

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 May 17, 2015 7:00 AM - 9:15 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.5 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Pond trail and where Audubon Vermont trail is adjacent to pond trail
 36 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  2
 Mourning Dove  1
 Chimney Swift  2
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  5     1 on Sherman Hollow Rd, drilling tree; 
                                 2 near pond; 1way above the pond; 
                                 1 on return trail
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Northern Flicker  1
 Pileated Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Red-eyed Vireo  1
 Blue Jay  6
 American Crow  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  5
 White-breasted Nuthatch  1
 Brown Creeper  3
 House Wren  2
 Winter Wren  1
 Veery  1
 Hermit Thrush  4
 American Robin  1
 Gray Catbird  2
 Ovenbird  10
 Black-and-white Warbler  2
 Common Yellowthroat  6
 Blackburnian Warbler  1
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
 Black-throated Green Warbler  3
 Song Sparrow  1
 White-throated Sparrow  1
 Scarlet Tanager  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
 Red-winged Blackbird  1
 Brown-headed Cowbird  4
 Baltimore Oriole  3
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23488049
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for the next one or more, every Sunday through the end of June. Enjoy the start of the day with us, birds, and other woodland inhabitants. Walks are led by experienced birders familiar with Vermont birds—and we welcome additional possible leaders. Let us know if you’re interested in volunteering.

Finish the walk with bird-friendly coffee at the viewing window inside the Museum.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Best for adults and older children • Free, donations welcome.
Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org

Early Birders’ Observations for May 10, 2015

Tom Jiamachello led the May, 10, 2015,  Early Birders Morning Walk . Thirty-eight species this day! What a great kick-off to the series!

Enjoy our week’s walk’s summary:

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 May 10, 2015 7:00 AM - 8:50 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early birders walk led by Tom Jiamachello
 38 species (+1 other taxa)
 
 Ruffed Grouse  1
 Accipiter sp.  1
 Mourning Dove  4
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Northern Flicker  1
 Pileated Woodpecker  1
 Least Flycatcher  1
 Great Crested Flycatcher  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  1
 Blue Jay  10
 American Crow  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  4
 Red-breasted Nuthatch  3
 White-breasted Nuthatch  1
 Brown Creeper  1
 House Wren  1
 Winter Wren  1
 Hermit Thrush  1
 American Robin  3
 Gray Catbird  4
 Ovenbird  4
 Black-and-white Warbler  1
 Common Yellowthroat  4
 Magnolia Warbler  1
 Blackburnian Warbler  2
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  3
 Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
 Black-throated Green Warbler  4
 Scarlet Tanager  2
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4
 Indigo Bunting  1
 Red-winged Blackbird  3
 Common Grackle  1
 Brown-headed Cowbird  4
 American Goldfinch  2
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23352753
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3  (http://ebird.org)

Join us Sundays through the 28th of June. Birds, birders, and a meander through the woods. No better way to start your day!

Finish the walk with bird-friendly coffee at the viewing window inside the Museum.

Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. Park at 900 Sherman Hollow Road, in the Museum parking lot.

Best for adults and older children • Free, donations welcome.
Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Call 802 434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org

Through the Window: April 2015

New “friends” and old all to be seen! Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Blue Jay
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Mourning Dove
  • Common Redpoll
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Northern Cardinal (males and female)
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • American Crow (3 on 4/14)
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Wild Turkey
  • American Robin
  • Song Sparrow
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Broad-winged Hawk (parking lot 4/25)
  • Dark-Eyed Junco
  • Chipping Sparrow
  • American Goldfinch
  • Ruffed Grouse (heard from parking lot 4/24)
  • Common Grackle (4/26)

Also of note! Wood frogs! 4/17 and egg masses 4/28
Eastern Cottontail 4/26
Eastern Chipmunk, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel
Woodchuck

We’re open daily from May 1 (today!) through October 31. drop in any day between 10am and 4pm! Let us share bird ID skills, woodcarvers’ art, birds in art, and citizen science opportunities with you! If you have questions, call (802) 434-2167, email museum@birdsofvermont.org or post to us on Facebook or Twitter.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.