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: 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.

Through the Window: January 2014 with a new bird (to some of us)

Red-bellied Woodpecker photo by Zac Cota. Copyright (c) 2014, and used by permission.

Bold-faced text are those birds we did not see last month.  There were three! In writing this, I note that perhaps we are slightly behind on our eBird reporting, so if you have time to volunteer with us and help out recording some of our sightings, please say so. (We can teach you how if you want.) Or just come watch birds with us! Two citizen science projects, Project Feederwatch and the Great Backyard Bird Count, are ongoing, and we will share both at our Open House on February 15. That day, we’re also hosting a Wood Duck one-day carving class taught by David Tuttle of the Green Mountain Woodcarvers.

  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Blue Jay
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Mourning Dove
  • Wild Turkey
  • American Goldfinch
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Brown Creeper Seen by the birders on the monthly monitoring walk
  • American Tree Sparrow
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker Spotted by one of our visitors! Not common at the Museum: only 2 sightings here reported to eBird so far!
  • American Crow
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Ruffed Grouse

“Varmints”: Gray Squirrels, Red Squirrels, Eastern Cottontail

Take a look at our calendar of events. Yes, visiting is by appointment (until April 30), but whether you like to schedule 2 weeks in advance (like today’s visitors from Massachusetts) or that morning (like the ones I mentioned last month), appointments are easy. Well, “that morning” ones can be a little uncertain sometimes… But you are always welcome! Call (802) 434-2167 or email 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 to make it more difficult for birds to see the watchers. We have chairs and binoculars to try there, 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: June 2013 with length

Happy summer. Goodness what a lot of rain this year. Saw some birds anyway. Bold ones are those we didn’t see last month!

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Blue Jay
  • Hair Woodpecker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Common Grackle
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Northern Oriole  (Ed. note: this is an old name for Baltimore Oriole; it hybridizes with the Bullock’s in some places in its range, and for a time, both species were called Northern Oriole. See http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/baltimore_oriole/lifehistory)
  • Starling
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Mourning Dove
  • Northern Cardinal
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Wild Turkey
  • American Goldfinch
  • Song Sparrow
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Purple Finch
  • American Crow (3 on 6/11)
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • Cooper’s Hawk
  • Evening Grosbeak
  • Indigo Bunting

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 to make it more difficult for birds to see the watchers. We have chairs and binoculars to try there, 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 other food choices. You can sometimes see what we see via our webcam.

Early Birders’ Observations for June 30

The June 30th Early Birders Morning Walk was the last of the season. Thanks to Shirley Johnson, who led the walk, and Mae Mayville, who eBirded the results.No more walks in this series this year, although our trails are open sunrise to sunset, and we’re working on some additional field trips as well. Check our calendar!

Here’s their report:

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
 Jun 30, 2013 7:15 AM - 9:30 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 2.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early morning bird walk led by Shirley Johnson.
 34 species
 
 Turkey Vulture  1     over museum
 Mourning Dove  4
 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Pileated Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Wood-Pewee  6
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Great Crested Flycatcher  2
 Red-eyed Vireo  2
 Blue Jay  7
 American Crow  3
 Black-capped Chickadee  6
 Tufted Titmouse  1
 Red-breasted Nuthatch  2
 Brown Creeper  2
 Winter Wren  3
 Veery  2
 Hermit Thrush  3
 Wood Thrush  2
 American Robin  2
 Cedar Waxwing  4
 Ovenbird  5
 Common Yellowthroat  2
 Blackburnian Warbler  4
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  3
 Pine Warbler  4
 Song Sparrow  3
 Scarlet Tanager  1
 Northern Cardinal  1
 Indigo Bunting  1
 Red-winged Blackbird  2
 Common Grackle  4
 American Goldfinch  2
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14536890

 

Early Birders’ Observations for June 23

The June 23rd Early Birders Morning Walk focused on birding by ear a bit more than usual—sometimes the birds (and habitats) are just like that! It was very well attended as well. Once again, our Board President Shirley Johnson led the walk, and Mae Mayville (another great volunteer and Board member) eBirded the results. Thank you!

Here’s their report:

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, US-VT
Jun 23, 2013 7:20 AM - 9:10 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 kilometer(s)
Comments:     Early morning bird walk led by Shirley Johnson
37 species

Mourning Dove  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  4
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  2
Blue-headed Vireo  2
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  2
Common Raven  1
Black-capped Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Brown Creeper  1
Winter Wren  2
Veery  2
Hermit Thrush  2
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Cedar Waxwing  X
Ovenbird  4
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  1
Blackburnian Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  2
Song Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Common Grackle  2
Baltimore Oriole  1
American Goldfinch  2

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14482501

Join us for one last early morning ramble on June 30! 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.

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