February 2025 events

Camel's Hump: view from the Birds of Vermont Museum's backyard

February is a great month for backyard birding and making art. The Museum is open by appointment and for special events (like the Great Backyard Bird Count) at this time of year.

The trails are open from sunrise to sunset, every day—we recommend using the south trails (Spear, Discovery, Story) rather than Gale’s, Pop’s, or Bob’s, thanks to flooding last July. Trail maps and more information are available on our website, and are posted at the museum and at trail kiosks as well. (Let us know if the wind moved any!)

=== FEBRUARY EVENTS ===

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January 2025 events

small songbird (Junco or Chickadee) tracks in snow

Happy New Year! We’re launching 2025 with some talks, the ever-changing winter art show, and bird walks (of course). The Museum is open by appointment and for special events from now through April 30.

The trails are open from sunrise to sunset, every day—we recommend using the south trails (Spear, Discovery, Story) rather than Gale’s, Pop’s, or Bob’s, thanks to flooding last July. Trail maps and more information are available on our website, and are posted at the museum and at trail kiosks as well. (Let us know if the wind moved any!)

=== JANUARY EVENTS ===

Continue reading “January 2025 events”

Vermont’s Winter Birds

Black-capped chickadee eating a sunflower seed. Chickadee perches on a pile of hulled sunflower seeds in winter; a few snowflakes show on the bird's black feathers.

Join Museum Director Erin Talmage to learn about Vermont’s Winter Birds: birds, birding, and conservation.

Vermont in winter is cold, muddy, slushy, icy, snowy. But there are still birds! Which ones? How come? What do they eat? How do they shelter from the weather? And how can you get involved?

The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library is sponsoring this talk by the Birds of Vermont Museum. Visit their website for more: https://damlvt.org/index.php/events/events-calendar

Presentation begins at noon at the library, at 21 Library Lanes, Williston, Vermont.

Read more about winter birds in this blog post: https://birdsofvermont.org/2013/01/16/winter-birds/

Vermont’s Winter Birds

Redpoll (small brown and white bird with reddish patch on forehead, type of , finch) perches on a snowy spruce branchlet.

Join Museum Director Erin Talmage to learn about Vermont’s Winter Birds: birds, birding, and conservation.

Vermont in winter is cold, muddy, slushy, icy, snowy. But there are still birds! Which ones? How come? What do they eat? How do they shelter from the weather? And how can you get involved?

The Salisbury Conservation Commission is sponsoring this talk by the Birds of Vermont Museum. The event is free and open to the public.

Presentation begins at 7 PM in the Salisbury Meeting House (Congregational Church) in the center of Salisbury (853 Maple Street).

The Salisbury Conservation Commission is sponsoring a series of talks–come to this or all of them!

Read more about winter birds in this blog post: https://birdsofvermont.org/2013/01/16/winter-birds/

January Bird Monitoring Walk

Black-capped Chickadee and Dark-eyed Junco in winter. The Chickadee is perched on a half-fallen dried goldenrod stem on the left; the Junco is underneath he stem on the right. There are some forsythia stems in the background and snow covers the ground. Digiscoped iPhone photo by K. Talmage and used by permission.

Join our monthly monitoring walk to record birds at the Museum’s trails, forest, and meadow. Learn something new, share what you know, or both.

All birders —current, experienced, newbie and would-be— welcome! Most fun for adults and older youth.

Please bring your own binoculars and dress for the weather. We recommend bringing tick repellent (seasonally) and a water bottle.

Max: 12 people
Free, suggested donation $10-$15

Register at https://sevendaystickets.com/organizations/birds-of-vermont-museum or call 802 434-2167.

Outdoors

If the walk fills, but there’s enough interest, we may be able to schedule more walks. Please call or email us to make arrangements.

Photo of Black-capped Chickadee and Junco in winter. Photographed at the Museum by Museum staff.

December 2024 events

A child wearing a green coat and a hunter's orange knitted beanie peers in the window of the museum. A sign to his left says CLOSED.

Busy on the inside! And outdoors? It’s a good day for a walk. Or call to make an appointment for your visit! The Museum is open by appointment and for special events from now through April 30.

The trails are open from sunrise to sunset, every day—we recommend using the south trails (Spear, Discovery, Story) rather than Gale’s, Pop’s, or Bob’s, thanks to flooding last July. Trail maps and more information are available on our website, and are posted at the museum and at kiosks as well. (Let us know if the wind moved any!)

=== DECEMBER EVENTS ===

Continue reading “December 2024 events”

Gale’s Retreat Open House / Full Moon Celebration

People surround an outdoor fire on a snowy full moon night

Enjoy a winter evening at Gale’s Retreat, off Bob’s Trail. Learn about Vermont Huts, nature at night, and more. Please dress for chilly nighttime, winter weather.

Inside the Museum:

Near the Bird Blind & Pond:

  • Someone to talk with you about the pond, the field, and natural history and adaptations to the night

At Gale’s Retreat, a short walk from the museum:

  • Someone to share Hut information
  • A campfire
  • Refreshments

Carpool if you can; the museum has limited parking.

Register for Open House

Please pre-register so we can have enough treats! Donations can be made online or at the door.

All Ages
Outdoors, mostly
Arrive any time.

“Rain” date: Saturday March 23

Cache It If You Can (for kids!)

Chipmunk in three-quarter view with cheeks stuffed full

Which birds and mammals store food for the winter? What do they eat? Where do they hide it?

We’ll all try a little caching ourselves!

Ages 6-10 • Outdoors
Fee: $15–$35 (choose what is best for you; includes museum admission)

Register for Cache It

Nestlings Explore Winter: to sleep or not to sleep

Child playing in deep snow. Child is wearing green hat,blue hooded parka, black snow pants, but because is prine, kid is partially hidden by snow.

Who hibernates and who’s just taking a nap?

Some animals sleep through the winter, and some are awake and active. Why and how do Vermont animals take on winter challenges?

Designed for kids ages 4 – 8, siblings welcome.
$5 (adult chaperones free)
Dress for outdoors



Use the button above to register online or call 802 434-2167 to sign up.

Nestlings Explore Winter: bird survival

Black-capped chickadee eating a sunflower seed. Chickadee perches on a pile of hulled sunflower seeds in winter; a few snowflakes show on the bird's black feathers.

Learn the secrets of winter bird survival. Could you do it?

We’ll imagine ourselves as birds in Vermont in winter. How do we find wamth, food, and shelter to survive the cold? Let’s mimic birds’ strategies for success!

Designed for kids ages 4 – 8, siblings welcome.
$5 (adult chaperones free)
Dress for outdoors



Use the button above or call 802 434-2167 to sign up!