October is always surprising, what with migration trailing off, interesting swings in weather, and the Big Sit.
Through the Window: October 2025
Through the Window: September 2025
Warm and dry pretty much the whole month. Pleasant for sitting around, and can make some nice updrafts. Did you go hawk watching?
Every now and then this year, a warbler comes to the feeder—not to eat, apparently, just to check things out from that perch. And (presumably less often) we notice!
September Bird List
the Big Sit! 2025
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), 2023 (overall), 2023 (ours)
Through the Window: August 2025
Oh my gosh, it’s been SO dry. Thankfully, we have a little trickle of water coming into a well-shaded tiny pond. The Bee balm and the willow and the goldenrod are a bit too tall and dense to see the birds taking their small drinks at the water, though! (The Hummingbirds sure like the bee balm!)
August Bird List
Through the Window: July 2025
Goodness it’s been hot. What did you have out for birds in your backyard to beat the heat? We have multiple types of cover (shade and safety) and water as well. These robins used the roof of one our sheds as their shade.
July Bird List
Through the Window: June 2025
We had some great Early Bird Walks this month—you can visit our checklists at eBird to see what we observed not from the window (link below).
By the end of the month, it felt like things are settling down : a robin is incubating or raising a second brood near our back door; adult cardinals are feeding young. Who next will bring their babies around? Chickadees? Blue Jays? Hummingbirds? Watch for fluttering wings and listen for unusual squeakings.
June Bird List
Closed for July 4th
The museum is closed on July 4th. we all hope you have a terrific day. May it be full of community and celebration, freedom and unity.
Image: Bob Spear and the Bald Eagle he carved and painted. (Fun fact: that brown isn’t paint: it’s that color thanks to Bob’s skill with woodburning tools!). Photo from 2005.
Through the Window: May 2025
Have you been on one of our Early Birder walks yet? Every Sunday in May and June!
Also, wow was it rainy this month. Good heavens.
May Bird List
Butterfly and Bug Walk
Experience Vermont’s butterflies and other insects up close!
Join Vermont Entomological Society naturalists and entomologists for an exploratory stroll on the Birds of Vermont Museum grounds.
Bring binoculars, magnifying glasses, and an insect net if you have one. Pack a lunch if you would like to picnic after the walk. Do bring your water bottle and dress for outdoors.
Free, suggested donation : $5-$10
Register (optional) by calling the museum at 802 434-2167.
Max: 20 people
If it is raining on the day of the walk, please call the Museum (802 434-2167) to see if we have rescheduled; rain date is Sunday, July 7).
Terrific for anyone interested in Vermont’s six-legged creatures.
Check out the Vermont Entomological Society site https://www.vermontinsects.org/ — gorgeous photos and information about the Society.
