Tag: white throated sparrow

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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.

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Through the Window: November 2014

….

Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Blue Jay
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • American Goldfinch
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Song Sparrow
  • Mourning Dove
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Fox Sparrow (2 on 11/9)
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Wild Turkey (16 in flock, only 1 male)

An Eastern Chipmunk was still awake this month, and of course the Red Squirrels and Gray Squirrels are attempting to scarf up all the seeds and corn on the ground before the turkeys get to it…
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.

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Through the Window: October 2014

October is so full of color changes. Not, perhaps, so much for birds; they’ve already mostly shifted into their winter costumes if they’re going to (hey, American Goldfinches, I’m looking at you). But look at some of those birds…if you can see them against the leaves. Did you know there were so many beautiful shades and tints of browns? Look again; there’s another.

Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Purple Finch
  • Blue Jay
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • American Goldfinch
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Song Sparrow
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Northern Goshawk (10/2, 10/9)
  • American Crow
  • Mourning Dove
  • Common Grackle
  • Brown Thrasher (10/8)
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Fox Sparrow (10/26)
  • Pileated Woodpecker (at the front of Museum eating dried-on-the-vine grapes)
  • Barred Owl (several days after 10/25, in the trees along the road by the Museum, and even hunting in the verge)

We’ve just shifted to winter hours (that is, by appointment). If you’d like to come and practice your bird ID skills and find out more about winter feeding or winter birdwatching and citizen science opportunites, great! (We have these nifty birds-carved-in-wood, too…) 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.

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Through the Window: June 2014

June is unbelievably beautiful; in Vermont—even when you are only looking through a window. Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Blue Jay
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Wild Turkey
  • Mourning Dove
  • Hairy Woodpecker (also juvenile, 6/24)
  • American Crow
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Common Grackle (also juvenile)
  • Eastern Phoebe (heard)
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Black-billed Cuckoo (heard at parking lot)
  • American Goldfinch
  • Song Sparrow
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Red-tailed Hawk (soaring over parking lot)
  • Common Raven (over parking lot)

Additional friends and neighbors: Eastern Chipmunk, Red squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Woodchuck, , young White-tailed Deer (6/29), Tiger Swallowtail, White Admiral, and Skipper spp. butterflies, and a Swamp Darner (a rare dragonfly 6/7).

Come see them for yourself! We’re open daily from 10-4 and we have great art, cool science, and astonishingly detailed woodcarvings, as well as live birds outside. Check out our calendar of events for special things to do and see.

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.

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Through the Window: May 2014

May is always a month rich in birds. We noted 31 species! FOY stands for First of the Year; Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.

  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • American Goldfinch
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Sparp-shinned Hawk
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Blue Jay
  • Song Sparrow
  • Chipping Sparrow
  • Mourning Dove
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak (FOY 5/4/2014)
  • Purple Finch (FOY 5/5/2014)
  • White-crowned Sparrow (5/9 and 5/15)
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Evening Grosbeak
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird (FOY male 5/10/2014, female 5/15/2014)
  • Indigo Bunting (FOY 5/13/2014)
  • Raven (5/23/2014)
  • American Robin
  • Common Grackle
  • Rusty Blackbird (5/16/2014)
  • Northern Goshawk 
  • Gray Catbird (5/16/2014)
  • Broadwing Hawk (5/16/2014)
  • American Crow
  • Baltimore Oriole (FOY 5/18/2014 male and female)

Additional friends and neighbors: Woodchuck, Eastern Chipmunk, Red squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Raccoon, and Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (on May 20).

Come see them for yourself! We’re open daily from 10-4 and we have great art, cool science, and astonishingly detailed woodcarvings, as well as live birds outside. Check out our calendar of events for special things to do and see.

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.

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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.

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Early Birders’ Observations for June 16

The June 16th Early Birders Morning Walk walk left the Museum about 7 am. led by our amazing Shirley Johnson. A great group of friendly birders! They were out until almost 10, because it was such a lovely day. Here’s their list:

  • Mourning Dove
  • Barred Owl
  • Chimney Swift
  • Ruby-throated Hmmingbird
  • Yellow-bellied Sapasucker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Northern Flicker
  • Eastern Wood Pewee
  • Least Flycatcher
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Great-crested Flycatcher
  • Red-eyed Vireo
  • Blue Jay
  • American Crow
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Brown Creeper
  • Winter Wren
  • American Robin
  • Veery
  • Hermit Thrush
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • Chestnut-sided Warbler
  • Blackburnian Warbler
  • Black-throated Green Warbler
  • Pine Warbler
  • Common Yellow-throat
  • Scarlet Tanager
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Indigo Bunting
  • Song Sparrow
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Common Grackle
  • Baltimore Oriole
  • American Goldfinch

 

Join us next time, for an early morning ramble! We’re out in the Birds of Vermont Museum‘s forest and meadows every Sunday from May 12 through 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

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Through the Window: May 2013 gets exciting

Nesting time! And the list grows on. Bold ones are those we didn’t see last month!

  • Northern Cardinal
  • American Goldfinch
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Mourning Dove
  • Common Grackle
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Blue Jay
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Evening Grosbeak
  • Song Sparrow
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • American Robin
  • Purple Finch
  • Northern Goshawk
  • Wild Turkey (One male, 3 females on 5/15)
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • White-crowned Sparrow (5/6/13, 5/18/13)
  • Winter Wren (heard)
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird (5/8/13)
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch (5/12/13)
  • American Crow
  • Great-Crested Flycatcher (5/15/13)
  • Gray Catbird (5/17/13)
  • Cooper’s Hawk (5/20/13)
  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Tufted Titmouse

If you want to get involved with NestWatch, let us know how we can help you!

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.

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Through the Window: April 2013 explosion (of species seen)

“Spring has sprung, tra-la-la-la-la / Spring has sprung!” — the Swing Peepers

Look at these lists! Spring is amazing. All of these in the first list were seen April 1st (and generally also later in the month). Bold ones are those we didn’t see last month!

  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Common Grackle
  • Blue Jay
  • Fox Sparrow (four on 4/9, 4/20)
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • American Crow
  • Northern Cardinal
  • White-breasted Nuthatch

Then we saw…

  • Common Redpoll (4/6,  4/24)
  • American Robin
  • Tree Sparrow
  • Mourning Dove
  • Cooper’s Hawk (4/3, 4/15)
  • Song Sparrow
  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (First of Year 4/9)
  • Northern Goshawk (4/13)
  • Evening Grosbeak (the female with the healed-but-dropping wing, and returnees)
  • Brown-headed Cowbird (4/18 and later)
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • American Goldfinch
  • Wild Turkey
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Northern Flicker (4/23)

In the Little Pond (we have this as bird bath/water source, among other reasons):

Mammals included the mink, a cottontail rabbit, red and gray squirrels, and the eastern chipmunk.

At the Big Pond (across the road and up through the meadow, then into the forest):

  • A pair of mallard ducks (4/15)
  • Wood ducks (~4/20)

If you want to get involved with NestWatch, let us know how we can help you!

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.

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