High summer! The flow at the feeders is steady, not too many surprises. Mammals are taking great advantage of our feeding; we may limit the food on the ground for a while.

where natural history meets art
High summer! The flow at the feeders is steady, not too many surprises. Mammals are taking great advantage of our feeding; we may limit the food on the ground for a while.
Wow, what a spring! Some unusual species seen and heard this month, for us, down here at the Viewing Window. (Okay, okay, we did record a few birds heard or seen while we were coming into the Museum or running out to check the mail….)
Bold items in this list are those species not recorded last month.
The usual mammals maintained their presence: Red and Gray Squirrels, and Eastern Chipmunks. We didn’t observe the Eastern Cottontail but we did see the Woodchuck. Wood Frogs tadpoles occupied the pon on May 17, 2017, and Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are back by May 23.
Our “summer” hours have arrived! May through October, we are open daily from 10am – 4pm (with a few extra evenings, and sometime closed for part of the July 4 holiday). Click over to our events page. If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter , tumblr, and/or Instagram too, you’ll find more comments, links, and observations. See you soon!
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.
Welcome spring! As often in April, the number of species seen rises dramatically. Boldface in this list are those species not recorded last month.
The usual mammals maintained their presence: Red and Gray Squirrels, Eastern Cottontail rabbit, and Eastern Chipmunks. Wood Frogs made the feeder area mini pond noisy on several rainy days, and Spotted Salmander eggs will remain in the pond for a little while longer.
Our “summer” hours have arrived! May through October, we are open daily from 10am – 4pm (with a few extra evenings, and sometime closed for part of the July 4 holiday). Click over to our events page. If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter , tumblr, and/or Instagram too, you’ll find more comments, links, and observations. See you soon!
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.
March was a mix, with bare ground and then snowstorm Stella. A small snafu, so we don’t have our white board list from February but we did of course keep track over on eBird. for our monitoring walks and so on. So bold in this list indicates “not seen in January” instead of “not seen last month.”
The usual suspects: Red and Gray Squirrels, White-tailed Deer, and an Eastern Cottontail rabbit. On th enight came: a Raccoon.
Even though we ask that you call or email to set up a visit (from now through April 30), we have some exceptions for open days, special events, and offsite activities: Click over to our events page. If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter , tumblr, and/or Instagram too, you’ll find more comments, links, and observations. See you soon!
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.
“And the leaves /come tumbling down” — well, ok, a misquote, but nice for this time of year. We have turned our autumn corner, from “open daily” to “open by appointment” — although our bird feeding continues daily also!
In October, we noticed these birds, fluttering, swooping, perching, or interacting with each other. Bold are those not recorded last month.
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.
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.
And off they go! Our summer friends head south, northern friends arrive, and some of our year-rounders stick around. (Some of course are the same species but different individuals. That’s a little tricky for us to tell, though sometimes we try.) Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.
Come watch birds and write on our board too! We’re open daily from 10-4 through October, and we have galleries and trails, a pond, creeks, a tree house and a gift shop—all for you! (In November, you just need to call for an appointment to come inside. Easy!) Check out our calendar of events for special things to do and see. And if you’re online, follow along some of the migration data with BirdCast or eBird.
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.
This has been a stupendous August! Very beautiful. Of course, sometimes we have to be inside, so thank goodness for a viewing window. (Sometimes, the turkeys come up and view us…) Perhaps you will add to the list next month! Bold text indicates the species we did not see last month.
Of course, some of our usual suspects are back…with friends: Red squirrels, gray squirrels, Eastern Chipmunks, Woodchuck (Ground hog) and an Eastern Cottontail, various bees an wasp species, and Sphinx Moths.
Come see them for yourself! We’re open daily from 10-4 and we have galleries and trails, waterways and a gift shop—all for you! Plus we have a new, accessible “elevated bird blind” (also known as “treehouse). 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.