Closed for July 4th

Bob Spear, Woodcarver, and his Bald Eagle carving: an elderly white mad with white hair and bear, wearing a red chamois shirt, faces the camera. His left arm rest on the back of a life-size bald eagle carved of wood.
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.

Butterfly and Bug Walk

Young Entomologist

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.

Small green butterfly with a few spots on wings, one blooming purple vetch plant.

Through the Window: March 2025

Northern Flicker. Carved by Bob Spear; photographed by Museum staff.
Northern Flicker. Carved by Bob Spear; photographed by Museum staff.

As usual, we keep track of birds seen through the window with  notes on a white board by the window (see the list below). We had a couple of less-usual species sighted this month, including both year-round residents (just not usually observed from the window) and migratory species.

Spring is surely happening!

March Bird List

Continue reading “Through the Window: March 2025”

Through the Window: January 2025

Brown Creeper, carved by Robert N. Spear, Jr.
Brown Creeper, wood carving by Robert N. Spear, Jr.

Many thanks to the MP and MP, two regular volunteers with the same initials, who help us participate in community science programs. They have been here almost every Tuesday to record birds for Feederwatch and eBird… and to note birds on the white board by the window (see the list below).

When you go birding, take note of your observations! Every record you contribute is part of important community science and large data monitoring for conservation! One record at a time may not feel like much, but they add up into incredibly useful data. You might enjoy reading “9 Ways People Have Used eBird Data to Make Conservation Happen.” (Ed. note: Let me know of more recent conservation successes based on bird data, and I’ll add that info to next month’s post!)

January Bird List

Continue reading “Through the Window: January 2025”

Through the Window: November 2024

A woodcarving of a Cooper's Hawk showing head and shoulders: a raptor with a gray crown, red eyes, gray wings, and a buff and cream patterned breast.You’d think that being “closed”  would mean we’d get all the behind the scenes things done. But of course there are birds to watch for, which distracts us from tasks like our Annual Appeal … preparing programs and events

But we did get to see a hawk! And turkeys, which have been less-often spotted in the feeder area recently. And more!

November Bird List

Continue reading “Through the Window: November 2024”