Tag: wildlife

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Early Birders’ Observations for May 22, 2016

The May 22  Early Birders Morning Walk was led by our own Mae Mayville, member of the Board, excellent baker, and terrific eBirder. Thank you!

Here’s the report:

 Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 22, 2016 7:00 AM - 9:05 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early Birders Walk led by Mae Mayville
 35 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  1     Heard
 Wild Turkey  1
 Mourning Dove  3
 Barred Owl  1     Heard
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  6     1 near the museum, 2 near the pond, 3 in the woods.
 Downy Woodpecker  1
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Blue-headed Vireo  3     Observed 2 foraging near ground
 Red-eyed Vireo  3
 Blue Jay  6
 American Crow  3
 Common Raven  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  8
 White-breasted Nuthatch  2
 Veery  2
 Hermit Thrush  1
 Wood Thrush  1
 American Robin  2
 Gray Catbird  3
 European Starling  2
 Ovenbird  8
 Common Yellowthroat  4
 Magnolia Warbler  1     Observed by entire group
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  2
 Black-throated Green Warbler  1     Observed foraging on ground near stream
 Dark-eyed Junco  1
 White-throated Sparrow  1
 Song Sparrow  1
 Scarlet Tanager  1
 Northern Cardinal  2
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
 Common Grackle  1
 American Goldfinch  2
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29832773
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for the next one or more, every Sunday through the end of June. 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.

Best 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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Early Birders’ Observations for May 15, 2016

The Early Birders Morning Walk results are in two parts today, first from the walk  and then from viewing from indoors. Thank you so much to Shirley John and Mae Mayville, for leading today!

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 15, 2016 7:10 AM - 9:55 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.5 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early Birders Walk led by Shirley Johnson and Mae Mayville
 31 species

 Red-tailed Hawk  1
 Mourning Dove  3
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  7     2 near parking lot; 
                                 2 as we entered the woods;  
                                 1 along woods trail;  
                                 2 interacting on edge of woods on other side of the pond
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Blue-headed Vireo  1
 Red-eyed Vireo  2
 Blue Jay  10
 American Crow  2
 Black-capped Chickadee  8
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
 White-breasted Nuthatch  1
 Veery  1     Heard
 Hermit Thrush  1     Long looks; seen by everyone in the group; singing
 Wood Thrush  1     Long looks; seen by everyone in the group.
 American Robin  5
 Gray Catbird  1
 European Starling  1
 Ovenbird  4
 Louisiana Waterthrush  1     Heard at treehouse
 Common Yellowthroat  2
 Northern Parula  1
 Chestnut-sided Warbler  2
 Pine Warbler  3
 Black-throated Green Warbler  1     Heard
 Song Sparrow  1
 Northern Cardinal  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  5
 Baltimore Oriole  1     Observed by entire group
 American Goldfinch  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29673886
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 15, 2016 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
 Protocol: Stationary
 Comments:     Observed at Viewing Window after the Early Birders Walk
 14 species

 Mourning Dove  3
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Blue Jay  6
 Black-capped Chickadee  3
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 European Starling  1 
 Song Sparrow  1
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  7
 Red-winged Blackbird  2
 Common Grackle  3
 Brown-headed Cowbird  3
 Purple Finch  2
 American Goldfinch  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29676426
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for one or more of of our next walks, Sundays in May and June. Welcome the day with birders, 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.

Best 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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Early Birders’ Observations for May 8, 2016

The Early Birders Morning Walk results are in two parts today, first from the walk (thanks to M. Patenaude!) and then from coffee klatch and viewing from indoors. What a delight it is to have so many birds around and about.

Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 8, 2016 7:00 AM - 8:45 AM
 Protocol: Traveling
 1.0 kilometer(s)
 Comments:     Early Birders Walk led by Michele Patenaude
 23 species
 
 Ruffed Grouse  1
 Cooper's Hawk  1
 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
 Downy Woodpecker  4
 Hairy Woodpecker  1
 Northern Flicker  1
 Eastern Phoebe  2
 Red-eyed Vireo  1
 Blue Jay  5
 American Crow  1
 Black-capped Chickadee  11
 Tufted Titmouse  3
 White-breasted Nuthatch  2
 Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
 American Robin  1
 Ovenbird  6
 Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
 Pine Warbler  2
 White-throated Sparrow  4
 Song Sparrow  3
 Northern Cardinal  2
 Red-winged Blackbird  1
 American Goldfinch  3
 
 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29482149
 
 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)


Birds of Vermont Museum, Chittenden, Vermont, US
 May 8, 2016 8:45 AM - 10:45 AM
 Protocol: Stationary
 Comments:     Feeder window birds following the bird walk
 21 species

 Mourning Dove  3
 Downy Woodpecker  2
 Hairy Woodpecker  2
 Blue Jay  6
 American Crow  2
 Black-capped Chickadee  3
 Tufted Titmouse  2
 American Robin  1
 European Starling  2
 Chipping Sparrow  2
 Dark-eyed Junco  1
 White-crowned Sparrow  1
 White-throated Sparrow  1
 Song Sparrow  1
 Northern Cardinal  2
 Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4
 Red-winged Blackbird  8
 Common Grackle  2
 Brown-headed Cowbird  3
 Purple Finch  2
 American Goldfinch  14

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29484299

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

Join us for one or more of these, Sundays in May and June. Greet the day with birders, 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.

Best 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: January 2016

A nice month for accidental sightings of the larger birds as we come into or out of work. Snow depth is paltry (and for some us, that’s depressing, infuriating, or just plain inhospitably dangerous, if, say, you are a grouse). We have both the up-on-a-post feeders and ground feeding areas, one of which is just outside the office windows. It’s such a treat to look over and catch sight of a junco or a chickadee right there, not four feet away.

  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • American Goldfinch
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Blue Jay
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Purple Finch
  • Mourning Dove
  • Northern Cardinal
  • American Crow
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Wild Turkey  (more than 3 observed walking along the road, southeast across the culvert, into the bird sanctuary field, January 19)
  • Common Raven (flying over Museum and Treehouse, January 31)

Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.

We also observed Red Squirrels, and Gray Squirrels. Wow are those Gray Squirrels numerous. We’ve consistently been seeing 6-12 or them, and at least 13 on January 17!

You too can watch from our window! Drop in for the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 13, or call, tweet, phone (802) 434-2167, or email museum@birdsofvermont.org to schedule your visit for another day!

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: December 2015

A little drama, as we waited for snow to finally appear:

Barred Owl with Ruffed Grouse kill. Photo by Allison Gergely for the Birds of Vermont Museum, 10 December 2015 . The birds are near the small pond visible through a conference room window.
Barred Owl with Ruffed Grouse kill. Photo by Allison Gergely for the Birds of Vermont Museum, 10 December 2015 . The birds are near the small pond in the feeder area, and visible through a conference room window.
  • Barred Owl (on December 10, the Barred Owl killed a Ruffed Grouse then dragged it down the hill. It was a little bit difficult for the owl!)
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Blue Jay
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Mourning Dove (more than 11 on December 10)
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Ruffed Grouse
  • American Robin (on and under the crabapple, December 8)
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • American Goldfinch

Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.

We also observed Red Squirrels, and Gray Squirrels—generally about 3-5  of the Red ones and about 6 or so of the Gray. Some small malls were caught on our nightcam, but we couldn’t identify them positively—the resolution was a little low. We suspect they were Eastern Cottontails, based on size, behavior, and overall hazy shape.

You too can watch from our window! Call, tweet, phone (802) 434-2167, or email museum@birdsofvermont.org to schedule your visit.

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 2015

It’s getting quieter around here… but is that due to the owl?

Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.

Barred Owl in Feeder Area, November 20 or so. Taken with an iPhone
Barred Owl in Feeder Area, November 20 or so. Taken with an iPhone through hand-held binoculars.
  • Mourning Dove
  • Blue Jay
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Barred Owl (during UVM’s NR1 class field trip, even! Also November 28)
  • American Goldfinch
  • Ruffed Grouse (2 seen and heard early in November. One was found dead near our viewing window on November 15th—a predator, interrupted? A collision? [Although we have netting over the windows to reduce the chances of that.] A grouse was seen in the crabapple tree November 24. This could be the other member of the pair?)
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Wild Turkey
  • Buteo spp., possible juvenile Red-tailed Hawk (tail not clearly chestnut)

We also observed Eastern Chipmunks, Red Squirrels, and Gray Squirrels. Didn’t spot the the Raccoons on our nighttime cam. We did hear far-off coyotes while feeding birds or listening to some webcam videos.

Want to watch from our window? Schedule a visit! Call, tweet, phone (802) 434-2167, or email museum@birdsofvermont.org. (Other windows let you observe what’s happening around the new boxes on the hedge or admire the growth of cover crops along the restabilized stream bed (part of the stream restoration and bridge phase of #BridgesToBirds).

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 2015

Wow, in this last month of our open-daily season, we recorded some unusual birds! Are they here for the winter? Just passing through? And for some of the common ones, where were they last month?

Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.

  • Golden-crowned Kinglet (10/1 in cedar hedge*)
  • Mourning Dove
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet (10/2 in cedar hedge)
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Blue Jay
  • American Goldfinch
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Red-tailed Hawk
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Cooper’s Hawk
  • Ruffed Grouse (10/20 in the crabapple tree  and 10/26 2 walking along the feeding zone perimeter and in the crabapple)
  • Northern Cardinal (10/24 m & f, just male on 10/27)
  • Purple finch (10/30)

We also observed Eastern Chipmunks, Red Squirrels, and Gray Squirrels, as well several visits from  Raccoons on our nighttime cam.

* Aside: We’re going to do some extensive trimming and pruning on the cedar hedge. It was deeply damaged by ice and snow earlier this year, and we’re removing much of the dead wood. Other changes include roost, wintering, and nest boxes (for birds and insect pollinators) and new plantings in the spring as well. Thanks to Volunteer EP for his help with this!

Come see for yourself! Call, tweet, email or schedule a visit by phone: (802) 434-2167 or museum@birdsofvermont.org. From museum exhibits to relaxing in our accessible treehouse to observing the long-awaited progress on the stream restoration and bridge phase of #BridgesToBirds, there’s always some wild thing to learn from or about.

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: September 2015

Fall approached…and arrived. And off went some birds. Thanks to the critter cam we heard some birds that we couldn’t see. Looking forward to the big list coming up for the Big Sit! in just over a week.

Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.

  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Blue Jay
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • American Goldfinch
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Mourning Dove
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird (9/14: 2 skirmishing on cedars. Juveniles or females. No adult males recorded this month.)
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Black-throated Blue Warbler (9/6/15 and 9/13/15)
  • Eastern Phoebe (at the front of the Museum)
  • Song Sparrow (across the road)
  • other Sparrow spp.
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Wild Turkey
  • Barred Owl (heard on the critter cam)
  • American Crow (heard from the front doorway)

We saw a few green frogs in our tiny little pond by the feeder. We also delighted in seeing a White-tailed Deer eating some crab apples near the treehouse, as well as Red Squirrels, a Gray Squirrel, and Eastern Chipmunks under the feeders. Nocturnal ones included raccoons, mice, and again a cat (watching that night-time video is what let us notice the Barred Owl).

Come see for yourself! We’re open every day from 10am until 4pm, through October 31. From museum exhibits to relaxing in our accessible treehouse to observing the long-awaited progress on the stream restoration and bridge phase of #BridgesToBirds. There’s always some wild thing to learn from or about. Call, tweet, email or drop by: (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: August 2015

We had a critter cam, sensitive to motion, installed this month. It’s been such a treat to see some of the larger birds at times when we are not at the Museum! It’s also possible that more species were seen—especially by visitors—but not recorded on the noteboard.

Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.

  • American Goldfinch
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Mourning Dove
  • Blue Jay
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Wild Turkey (2 juveniles! And more seen after hours with our new critter cam!)
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk (juvenile?)
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch
  • Song Sparrow (and a juvenile on 8/10/2015)
  • Common Grackle
  • Purple Finch
  • Northern Oriole
  • Gray Catbird
  • Hawk spp.
  • Mourning Warbler (8/8, in front of Museum; the same or other warbkler spp seen in feeder area but not identified, ~8/16)
  • American Crow (seen only on the critter cam! They cam every morning around 6 am for several days)

Diurnal mammals included Woodchuck, Red Squirrels, Gray Squirrels, and Eastern Chipmunks. Nocturnal ones included raccoons, mice, and once a cat.

Two raccoons, some moths, and a glowing strand of bee balm (we think)
Two raccoons, some moths, and a glowing strand of bee balm (we think)

We caught a strange glimpse of a katydid too, looking surprisingly like a mythical creature…

Come see for yourself! We’re open every day from 10am until 4pm, through October 31. From museum exhibits to relaxing in our accessible treehouse to a short stroll to the bond: catch some glimpses of maturing fledglings, juveniles and adults as they prepare to migrate or find fall and winter roosting sites. There’s always some wild thing to learn from or about. Come by or get in touch: (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: July 2015

To our great surprise, we didn’t see Chickadees. We must have been very busy, or they were, or both. However, we did luck out with the hawks this month. Bold indicates those we didn’t see last month.

  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Common Grackle
  • Blue Jay
  • Mourning Dove
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  •  Hairy Woodpecker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • American Goldfinch
  • Gray Catbird
  • Evening Grosbeak
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch juvenile? (just caught a glimpse)
  • Purple Finch
  • American Robin
  • Red-tailed Hawk (adult and juvenile!)
  • Northern Flicker
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk (taking a chipmunk on 26 July)

Mammal friends were voracious, possibly out-competing the elusive and longer-legged Wild Turkeys to the scattered corn. Gee, thanks, you Woodchuck, Red Squirrels, Gray Squirrels, and Eastern Chipmunks!

We’re open every day from 10am until 4pm, through October 31. Visit frequently for birds (indoors and out, wooden and wild), trails, treehouse, pond … and restfulness, relaxation, inspiration and new things to learn.  Questions? Let us know: (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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