North Branch Nature Center

All Day Outside

2012-02-14T17:48:00.000-08:00

Exploring a winter creek

It's another beautiful Monday in Vermont and 30 first grade students are getting ready for a day in Hubbard Park. Each backpack carries a lunch, a water bottle, and a hand crafted mini sled. Every hand, head, foot, and mind is properly prepared for the day ahead. And, yes,...it's February. The outside temperature has climbed to 28 degrees and students are carrying thermometers and a plethora of questions that were generated during morning meeting.

Thermometers in action

How cold is it outside? What is the temperature of the river? Can penguins survive in Hubbard Park? Penguins as we know, do not live in Vermont. But to these first graders at Union Elementary, it is a hot topic because they have been studying penguins through a new math curriculum. Along with penguin math, the students have also been discussing properties of matter and force and motion. What better learning scenario than a day outside in winter? They will encounter a river, a pond, and a mysterious creek moving under ice. A half inch of fresh snow and a layer of hard packed snow turned ice, adds another medium to study. Icicles, frozen puddles, and melting snow under a February sun. We have found the ultimate science laboratory outdoors in the capitol city!

Taking the temperature of the North Branch River

Custom made sled for Piggy

The concepts of force and motion is easy enough to experience first hand by sliding bodies down an incline. But, why not construct your own mini-sled with cardboard, plastic, paper, popsicle sticks, and duct tape? Now that's a motivational button for learning! Build your own sled for your favorite small animal or cartoon character. After a few test runs on a carefully groomed surface, children were reconstructing their sleds with more duct tape and objects found close by.
"Hey Amy! I'm gonna tape my water bottle to this sled! Then watch out for how fast it's gonna be!"
Now that's force and motion, first grade style.

Mini sled with jet propellers and a plow

The day sailed on in a mixture of sun, laughter, snow, idea sharing, questions, tons of observations, and new conclusions. Slow learning is good learning, for it allows for assimilation. This ECO day was planned so that children could move in between "science stations" which offered different degrees of stimuli and multiple ways to be a participant. It may not look slow with all these excited bodies scurrying about, but really,.. it is. All these outdoor provisions that helped to create a day of learning ultimately guided every child to follow their own interests and needs through inquiry based learning. In the end, children experience independence, self organization, participation, and empowerment.

That's 10 am to 2:45pm. No need to go back into the school building today.
We closed our day by having a sharing circle on the snow covered lawn of Kellogg Hubbard Library.
" What were you most thankful for today?" the teachers asked. Here is what the children shared:

"I am thankful for,....my mini sled because it went fast, the birds singing, being outside, the frozen water that I broke, the fire because it got me warm, my mom, my dad, my teacher, penguins, my friends, nature, the earth and,...I'm just thankful for the whole day!"

All day. Outside. Something to be truly thankful for.

The community is our classroom

Vermont Team Competes in Superbowl… of Birding

2012-02-02T17:22:00.000-08:00

Sunrise off Cape Ann

The skies were clear and the weather warm for the Superbowl this past weekend, only it was birds flying instead of footballs. From 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. teams of birdwatchers looked high and low for as many different types (or species) of birds as they could find along the Massachusetts coast. For the fourth year, a team of adults and youths from Vermont participated, sponsored by the North Branch Nature Center of Montpelier.

The night before the competition, the team (called the North Branch Noddies) carefully planned their route for the following day. In addition to being experts of the local birdlife, teams must devise clever strategies to ensure they are in the right places at the right times to see the most birds. Each species is assigned a point-value based on the how difficult it is to find (1 point being easiest and 5 points being hardest). So, while a chickadee is worth just one point, a Snowy Owl is worth three, and a Townsend’s Warbler is worth five points.

The Team gazes upwards at a
Townsend's Warbler

Alarm clocks rang at 4:00 a.m. on the morning of the competition, and by 5:00 the team was poised and ready at their secret owl spot. By 5:15 a.m. they had their first two points, for a Eastern Screech-Owl calling in the distance. Scouring the rocky shoreline of Cape Ann, the Noddies continued to rack up points through the morning hours. Many species of birds that breed in the arctic spend the winter months off the New England coast, which for them, is considered “south for the winter”. The obligate trip to the fish pier added several rare species of gulls as they fought over fish scraps on the docks. A pair of Peregrine Falcons watched from afar, perched atop the distant church steeple.

The mild weather certainly played a role in the birdlife encountered. Lakes and ponds with open water meant an abundance of waterfowl that typically vacate in winter, such as Northern Pintails, Ruddy Ducks, and American Coots. Even some insectivores were toughing it out on the coast this winter including a Gray Catbird and a rare vagrant Townsend's Warbler, seen gleaning insects from the needles of a tall spruce tree.

Sunset from Plum Island, after
12 hours of birding

Slowly working their way north, by late afternoon the Noddies had reached Plum Island, considered one of the finest birding locales in New England. Here, on the rolling sand dunes and extensive marshes, the Noddies would complete their quest. From a single spot along the main road, two Snowy Owls could be seen sitting upon the barren, snowless landscape. A flock of hundreds of shorebirds chased the breaking waves along the beach. And as the sky became infused with pink and purple at dusk, a Short-eared Owl could be seen cruising the fields, hunting under the shadows of the setting sun. After twelve hours of birdwatching, the Noddies raced to the finish line with a total of 66 species and 124 points.

The Noddies will be competing in the World Series of Birding this May, email Larry for more information.

If a Child Picks Up a Stick in the Forest,....

2012-02-02T06:25:00.000-08:00

What happens if a child picks up a stick in the forest? It's not a question of if, because they do and they will! When a child does pick one up, what does that stick become? Working with school teachers, this is one of the first concerns of being outside with a classroom of curious children. Do we let them play with sticks? And what does it look, feel, and sound like if 20 children are wielding sticks in the forest? Laying down a rule of "no picking up sticks" is like taking your students to the top of a fresh snowy hill with sleds scattered about and telling them they can't go sledding. What would the point be?
Here is where we break down the barrier of "no sticks" and begin to observe and experience the benefits of allowing children to physically, socially, and emotionally construct their world through stick play.

First, what if we asked the children what they thought? So, we did. In morning meeting we asked students "How would you use sticks in the forest?" The children's reaction was immediate. Hands were raised and bodies were wriggling with ideas and prior knowledge.
We can: build a fort, build a fairy house, build a house to sleep in, make a really big pile, build a fire, make a trap, build a wall to protect us, make a store and sell things,......
Wow. That's a lot of ideas! Notice the use of the word build. Children building things with objects found in their immediate environment is as natural as them learning to walk. Providing space and time to build outdoors expands the experience into a new realm. With more space, it allows for more movement, which creates more language use, and in the end, deeper cognitive development.

The next question we pose to the class is, "How will we do all that building and be safe near our friends?" I ask the children to raise a hand if they have ever been hurt by a stick before. All the children's hands go up. They have all had direct experience with this! The children share with a neighbor and the stories begin to pour out. (Children LOVE and need to share their personal stories. Especially when it connects to the topic at hand. Giving them a chance to share with other classmates strengthens the classroom learning culture and is powerfully inclusive) After a couple minutes of sharing we begin to make our Safe with Sticks list. In all 10 classrooms, the children agreed that sticks are not weapons and we don't hit with sticks. I never had to prompt these two ideas and it was always the first or second rule created by the children! Inevitably, a child grabs the perfectly styled stick and points it at a friend. "Bang! I got you!"
With a simple reminder we're redirected and back to our work.
" Hey friends, remember, we are in a Peace Zone. Let's keep working on that awesome shelter you started building last week!" It has become such regular part of the routine that I know hear children reminding each other of our rules. They are now in charge of their learning and their creations.
I hear children using phrases such as "bubble space" and "safety circle" when moving a stick bigger than themselves. I am also witnessing balance, coordination, development of gross motor skills, and cooperation as three children move a very large branch to add to a debris hut.
Our Safe with Sticks rules are made and students are imagining what they can do with sticks. Now the possibilities grow as the children navigate the landscape of the forest with building plans in mind. With a supportive adult to child ratio and room to roam, here are some examples of what has happened!

Class Stick Sculpture

How does it look?

Building a firewood shed!

Using a saw to cut the perfect length!

The outcomes of all this stick building? Here are just a few,.....developing spatial awareness, decision making, strengthening social and physical skills, building positive interaction and communication skills, learning problem solving strategies, appreciating what your body can do, and for some children it gives them an opportunity to develop control over their behavior and improve concentration by moving, manipulating, and orchestrating objects they have found in nature.
What if a child picks up a stick in the forest?
I guess I would be more concerned if they didn't.

A debris shelter in Hubbard Park built by 1st graders

Frank the River Otter and 12 Kindergartners

2012-01-27T06:38:00.000-08:00


Frank in the classroom

Who's your favorite river otter? FRANK!
Why do all these Vermont kindergartners love this member of the weasel family so much? Is it his extreme cute face and soft thick brown fur? How about those webbed toes and beady black eyes. And yes, he does have ears! "But,... they're so small! Can Frank hear okay?" the children wonder.
The ooo's and aww's fill the classroom when Frank makes an appearance. No student ever wants to see him go. They have even written him Valentines and "we miss you" notes.
So lets go back to the question, why do small children almost immediately experience empathy with Lontra canadensis? Children love animals, especially ones that have similar characteristics to their own. Children are natural caretakers of living things when adults model this behavior. I also believe it has to do strongly with children's innate connection to play and the river otters as well.

It is a brisk winter morning and a 12 kindergartners are eager for their ECO (Educating Children Outdoors) day. The school children burst out the back door and scamper up a snow covered hill. It doesn't take long for one adventurous being to figure out if you lay down on you belly, head pointed down hill, give a little push with your arms, you'll be sliding with increasing speed to a certain destination.
As a teacher and a naturalist, I capitalize on the moment for extended learning during play.

12 young river otters

"Hey! You all remind me of my favorite Vermont weasel!"
'"What's a weasel?" a child shouts as they slide away from me. I reach in my back pack and ready at hand is a mammal guide and a photo of a river otter. Children gather round in between sliding to glance at pictures and make comments. Here we are creating a culture of questioning and learning through exploratory play.
It doesn't take long for the children to create a river at the bottom of their slide, scraps of cloth turn into fish. A den is being dug in the hillside with fast hands turned paws. With a little help from the "adult otters", we learn that by clasping your feet together behind you, your legs turn into a powerful otter tail perfect for steering and propelling forward. I mention to my friends that a coyote may be interested in their small fish cache.

"A coyote? Where?" the children become increasingly concerned, their eyes darting across the landscape. Some stand up on two webbed feet and sniff the air. These kindergartners immediately come up with a system to watch over cached fish and a warning system for an incoming coyote. Hmmmm,... all of sudden these children are the wisest humans I know. They work together as a family to protect what they have. These children are totally engaged. Mind, body, and heart.

The scenario of river otter play continues and I make the very adult comment that we should move on to the next part of our morning. A small river otter turns to me and barks, " No way! We're gonna slide all day! Plus, we're such good hunters, we already got all of our fish for snack!"
Slide on river otters! Slide on!

A 6 year old masters the river otter slide

Inspired research and writing

Grand Canyon

2012-01-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

by Bryan Pfeiffer, reposted with permission

The Naturalist Journeys Lecture Series
Join Bryan Pfeiffer on Friday, January 27, at 7pm for his presentation Into the Canyon, Into the Earth at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. More info about the Naturalist Journeys Lectures.

I’m up from another hike in the Grand Canyon. No photo, no amount of hyperbole, does it justice. But I’ll try with five images. First is dawn on the South Rim after a snowstorm from our camp on Utah Flats, 1500 feet above the Colorado River on the north side. The second looks north from the Tonto Platform, a shelf of Bright Angel Shale at 3600 feet in elevation. The third is looking west above the Colorado River. Next is Ruth in Seventyfive Mile Canyon, a side slot canyon along our two-week hike. Finally, a Utah Juniper at sunrise on the South Rim. Click on each image for a wider, more satisfying view.

Find this and other stories by Bryan about the Grand Canyon, birds, dragonflies, and other natural history at The Daily Wing. Learn more about the Naturalist Journeys Lectures.

ECO - Educating Children Outdoors

2012-01-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

The ECO program at North Branch Nature Center is a new project that helps reconnect children with the natural world and foster stewardship in their communities. Through collaboration with public schools, preschools, and daycare facilities, ECO helps to open the doors to the joy of learning outside in all kinds of weather. By using city parks, public lands, and other local green spaces ECO engages children in the natural inquiry based learning of their surrounding environment. Through this type of active learning, children gain a healthy respect for nature and for one another. ECO provides an opportunity for teachers and students to apply integrated academic curricula beyond the classroom to the outdoors for exploration, experimentation, creativity, and personal growth.

Now in its second year, ECO is working with 10 area school teachers on a weekly and biweekly basis to get their students outside and immersed in the natural world. ECO is not a field trip or a one hour visit to a forest. The students participating in ECO spend 2 ½ to 4 hours exploring a forest, playing games, learning woodcraft skills, journaling, and sharing in a community circle. These experiences happen continously throughout the school year. Rain, shine, and snow are welcomed weather features on any ECO day at public school. Schools have gathered all the needed equipment for their students to be dry and warm for engaged learning outdoors. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!

Not surprising, these days are some children’s favorite day of the week. Singing a song about rain, using ropes to climb a hill, making debris huts, following squirrel tracks in the snow, and boiling water in a Kelly Kettle for tea are all some things a child may experience on an ECO day. Inevitably, with more time spent outside moving and engaging in the natural world, each child develops a sense of themselves and their place in the world. By helping to foster a relationship with nature at an early age, children are given the chance to have a multi-sensory experience that will help them to retain knowledge in a more effective and meaningful way. This old Chinese proverb gives clarity to the purpose of ECO and the ongoing journey of life long learning for all human beings:

Tell me, I forget.

Show me, I remember.

Involve me, I understand.

If you are interested in learning more about ECO and how to get involved, please contact amy@northbranchnaturecenter.org

Bird Banding at NBNC - 2011 Report

2012-01-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

It is said that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” and this was certainly the case at North Branch Nature Center, where bird banding was formally launched in the summer of 2011. In bird banding, songbirds are captured in mist nets, carefully removed, identified and measured, and "tagged" with a band before being released. Bands look like little metal bracelets the birds wear on their ankles to help identify them if they are recaptured in the future.

Being able to differentiate individual birds allows banders to gain insight into their abundance, productivity, survival rate, and other demographics that would not otherwise be possible. Furthermore, close examination of birds-in-the-hand can reveal anatomical traits that would be indistinguishable through binoculars, such as weight, feather molt, breeding status, and others. Decades of banding has demonstrated this technique to be a safe, cost effective way of learning more about birds, with meaningful insights towards improving avian conservation.

The data collected this year has already shed some light on the birds of NBNC. Of the 32 species of birds that were caught, ten species had individuals that were recaptured, which is a good indication that these species were sticking around, perhaps to breed. One Common Yellowthroat was caught on five separate occasions between June 1 and July 16! It will be especially interesting next year to see how many banded birds return to NBNC after spending the winter in the tropics.

In addition to providing important scientific data, banding has offered a unique way for children and adults at NBNC to connect with birds. Over 75 children and 20 adults attended banding demonstrations, getting an up-close look at how scientists study birds. Some kids even helped release birds, a privilege that has inspired awe, curiosity, and a greater consciousness of how extraordinary birds are.

Download a full copy of this report, including graphs and tables.

51st Plainfield Christmas Bird Count

2011-12-19T09:46:00.000-08:00

“Atypical” would be a good word to describe the 51st Plainfield Christmas Bird Count. Warm temperatures leading up to the count and the absence of snow likely played a role in the birds we encountered. While the number of species seen (37) was higher than average, the total number of individuals was rather low. Many of the “common” birds were sparse, and extremely low counts were reported for many species including chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, and woodpeckers. With an abundance of open ground and hence plenty of foraging area for birds, it is possible that the usual year-round residents were dispersed across a larger area than normal, rather than being concentrated at feeders.

While most birds were hard to find, some appeared in record numbers. New high counts were set for American Robin and Canada Goose, both of which have likely been taking advantage of the mild weather. Other lingering birds included a White-throated Sparrow and a Red-winged Blackbird, both found visiting feeders during the count day. An immature Herring Gull, the first on the count in 12-years, was also probably taking advantage of the unusually large amount of open water in the count circle.

The crown jewel of this year’s CBC had to be a Golden Eagle observed near Marshfield Mountain. Not only are Golden Eagles rare year-round, they are especially rare outside of fall migration, which typically tapers off in mid-November. This was the first Golden Eagle on the count in its 50-year history.
Preliminary results of the Plainfield CBC are shown below:

Canada Goose 830
Mallard 6
Hooded Merganser 3
Common Merganser 2
Ruffed Grouse 5
Wild Turkey 83
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk cw
Herring Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 77
Mourning Dove 44
Downy Woodpecker 20
Hairy Woodpecker 25
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 54
American Crow 175
Common Raven 14
Black-capped Chickadee 481
Tufted Titmouse 9
Red-breasted Nuthatch 25
White-breasted Nuthatch 23
Brown Creeper 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 7
American Robin 27
European Starling 207
Cedar Waxwing 32
American Tree Sparrow 17
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 35
Northern Cardinal 9
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Purple Finch 13
House Finch 14
Pine Siskin 61
American Goldfinch 266
Evening Grosbeak 18
House Sparrow 6

Vermont Christmas Bird Counts

2011-12-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Birdwatchers across the western hemisphere are filling their feeders and dusting off their binoculars for the 112th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). In Vermont, over a dozen counts will take place, with volunteers spreading out across the pre-determined study-area in an effort to census the winter bird population, leaving no chickadee uncounted. Some counts have taken place for decades, allowing scientists to learn how bird populations are changing over time. In fact, the large, long-term dataset created by the CBC is now used by the EPA as one of their major indicators of global climate change.

Last year, over 60,000 people took aprt in 2,160 counts across 31 countries/territories, setting records. The success of the CBC is due in a large part to the masses of volunteers who count birds for the sake of fun, science, and tradition. Most counts conclude with a potluck dinner, with rarities seen throughout the day being kept secret until everyone is gathered together, so they can be properly boasted. Most counts also welcome new participants, so if you’ve never taken part before, make this holiday season your first and come count some birds!

More info about the Christmas Bird Count

2011/12 VERMONT COUNTS:

Barnet
Jan. 1
Contact: Charlie Brown
cbrowne@fairbanksmuseum.org

Bennington
Dec. 28
Contact: Bonnie Dundas
kinglet@sover.net

Brattleboro
Dec. 17
Contact: Al Merritt
chpmnkx@sover.net

Burlington
Dec. 18
Contact: Shirley Johnson
rjsj489@comcast.net
Compiler: Eric Lazarus
ericlazarus@myfairpoint.net

Champlain Islands/St. Albans
Dec. 18
Contact: Liz Alton
redbnuthatch@gmail.com

Ferrisburgh
Dec. 17
Contact: Mike Winslow
mikekira@myfairpoint.net

Hanover-Norwich
Jan. 1
Contact: Daniel Crook
daniel.crook@hitchcock.org

Hinesburg-Huntington
Dec. 31
Contact: Paul Wieczoreck
mgcpw@gmavt.net

Island Pond
Dec. 15
Contact: Jayson Benoit
jayson@northwoodscenter.org

Mad River Valley/Northfield
Dec. 16
Contact Pat Folsom
pfols@gmavt.net

Middlebury
Dec. 18
Contact: Jim Andrews
jandrews@middlebury.edu

Mt. Abraham
Dec. 17
Contact: Randy Durand
durand@gmavt.net

Plainfield
Dec. 17
Contact: Chip Darmstadt
chip@NorthBranchNatureCenter.org

Randolph Area
Dec. 17
Contact: Rick Enser
rickenser@yahoo.com

Rutland
Dec. 31
Contact: Roy Pilcher
shamwariVT@aol.com

Saxton's River
Dec. 17
Contact: Don Clark
sapsbks@sover.net

Springfield
Dec. 18
Contact: Hugh Putnam
putnams@vermontel.net

Winhall/Windham
Dec. 17
Contact: Ruth Stewart
birder_rws@hotmail.com

Woodstock
Dec. 28
Contact: Sally Laughlin
laughlin@sover.net

Antique Bird Names

2011-12-12T05:40:00.000-08:00

Ever see a flock of snowflakes fluttering above a snowy field? How about bullbats cruising over dimly-lit city streets? Or, have you ever seen a sparrow hawk perched patiently on a telephone line? Even sharp birders may not recognize some of these as archaic bird names. All languages evolve over time, but it seems that that bird nomenclature has a relatively short half-life. Bird names change for many reasons, but here are a few of our favorite archaic bird names:

Snowflake – It isn’t too far of a stretch to picture a flock of Snow Buntings over a snowy field and think “snowflakes”. In fact, at the turn of the century this is how Snow Buntings were referred to. When I was first reading through results of the 1906 Christmas Bird Count, I thought the reference to “about a dozen” snowflakes as some kind of old-fashioned birding joke, but in fact, this was an accurate report, given the lingo of the time.

Traill’s Flycatcher – Some of the more exciting name-changing events for birders are when species are split, and one name becomes two. Named after Thomas Stewart Traill, a Scottish professor of medical jurisprudence and promoter of zoology and natural history in the early 1800’s, this nondescript gray-and-white bird became two in 1973. Now known as either Willow or Alder Flycathers, the two species are nearly indistinguishable by sight, but have different songs and habitat preferences. Sometimes, when birders see one of the pair but don’t hear their song, a bird will still be given the ambiguous label of “Traill’s”.

Sparrow Hawk – … is neither a sparrow nor a hawk, so some explanation is warranted! This out-of-date term was used to refer to the American Kestrel, who’s diminutive size derived the “sparrow” part of its name. But the “hawk” part just didn’t fit, as kestrels are a type of falcon, not hawk, and so the name was officially changed in 1973. Many raptors names have similar delineation, and terms such as Fish Hawk, Pigeon Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Duck Hawk, and others still surface from time to time.

Bullbat – Birds that spend much of their lives near people tend to collect a plethora of pseudonyms, and so it is not surprising that a bird that nests on rooftops would be given a nickname. Even the official name “Common Nighthawk” is a bit of a misnomer, as these birds are neither hawks nor are they strictly nocturnal. Others may know the Common Nighthawk better as a “bullbat”, which is a more fitting term. The birds are erratic and bat-like in flight, and cruise over city streets at dusk, feeding on insects. But anyone who has seen a Nighthawk display during the breeding season knows why they call them "bull". Nighthawks will dive bomb other creatures that wander too close, including people, complimenting their bat-like flight with the attitude of a bull.

What are your favorite Antique Bird Names?

Rare Hummingbird Visits Vermont

2011-11-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

By mid-November, most of the hummingbird feeders in Vermont have been taken down for the season (or the sugar-water has frozen solid), but a feeder in East Arlington, VT continues to be visited by a very cold, very lost hummer!

On November 19, Randy Schmidt of the The Vermont Bird Place & Sky Watch, in
Manchester Center, received a call from a concerned customer who's "Ruby-throated Hummingbird" hadn't yet flown south. As word of this unusual sighting spread throughout the birding community, many began to wonder whether this could be a rare, vagrant hummingbird species. By mid-September, most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have vacated Vermont for warmer climes, but during this fall/winter period, other species infrequently stray far from their wintering grounds and end up in very unusual places. When they do, they will often find a lingering feeder which they will stake out as their own.

This appears to be what happened in East Arlington, where the vagrant hummingbird has apparently been residing for weeks. It is believed to be of the genus Selasphorus, although a trained hummingbird bander will be visiting tomorrow to more thoroughly document this individual and identify its species. Needless to say, Vermont birders are very excited to have such an unusual avian visitor in our state, and will be anxiously following developments on this sighting.

When Birds Share the Feeder

2011-11-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has ever fed birds has likely provided food to a host of other types of creatures. An uninvited squirrel can empty a bird feeder quickly and scare away its intended avian visitors. If only we could just hang a bright, shiny sign on our feeders that says "BIRDS ONLY"...

Of course, different people have different attitudes towards bird feeding and while some recoil when a squirrel partakes in the feeding, others welcome critters of both feather and fur. After all, finding food in winter is difficult for all animals, not just birds. And despite our greatest efforts to deter them,nothing seems to stop determined animals from getting the seed they want.

Here in Vermont, we need to be especially vigilant, as bears can be both a nuisance and a potential threat to safety and property. In areas where bears are present, feeders should not be hung until prolonged cold has sent the bears into hibernation. Other unwelcome visitors, like hawks, will readily prey on the very birds you are trying to help.

What different non-avian creatures have visited your feeder? And how do you feel about feeding creatures of all shapes and sizes?

An eBird Milestone for NBNC

2011-10-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

In addition to costumes and candy, there is other cause for celebration this Halloween. The North Branch Nature Center now has data in eBird for all 52 week-periods of the year! eBird is a massive online bird sightings database, and the missing info from the third week in October was a gap as obvious as a missing front tooth, which has now been filled. Beyond personal interest, eBird has tons of practical implications for avian conservation, allowing scientists to use observations from thousands of bird watchers to study bird distribution and abundance.

While in reality this is not a major milestone, it represents an increased effort by bird watchers everywhere to record what they see and share those observations with scientists and the general public. The current year (2011) marked a particularly deliberate uptick in eBird activity. The Vermont County Quest enlisted birdwatchers from throughout the state in a competition to see which county had “the most birds”, using eBird as a platform for measuring success. The results have been self-evident. Here in Washington County, eBird users have submitted 1642 checklists, a 58% increase from last year at this time.

As an example of the tremendous power of eBird, check out the links below, and the animation of the annual Chestnut-sided Warbler migration, generated using advanced computer models and eBird data:

Vermont eBird homepage
eBird tutorial
eBird bar chart for the North Branch Nature Center
eBird bar chart for all of Washington County, VT
Washington County Birding Challenge

Click here for more info and an interpretation of this computer-generated animation based on eBird data.

Discovering Rarity

2011-10-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Last week’s blog post featured the second Vermont record for caterpillars of the Giant Swallowtail caterpillars, and the northernmost sighting of this species in the state. Abby Colihan found them while working in the garden in her backyard. But how did Abby ever know to think they might be rare? How many rarities like this are overlooked? And how might you, too, discover a rare critter in your own backyard?

Whether it be bird, butterfly, or anything else, a few simple tricks can help reduce the chances that some scarce critter wanders across your gaze undetected.

1) Get outside and look! Pay attention to what’s around you. The more you are out observing nature, the better a feel you will get for what is common and what is not. It doesn’t take studying the names of critters to recognize them… or to recognize that they are unfamiliar.

2) Expect the unexpected. Rare creatures show up every year in Vermont, and chances are, most go unnoticed. David Sibley has blogged about this phenomenon, and has even put a percentage to the rare birds that go unseen. You can’t find what you’re not looking for!

3) Document what you see. If something looks unfamiliar, take a picture! Digital photography has revolutionized the way we can record the natural world, and as a result, many more rare critters are being not only seen, but confirmed.

4) Share your observation! So many times, a rare bird is discovered to the delight of some ecstatic birder, only for them to hear from a neighbor that “it’s been there for weeks!” Call or stop by your local Nature Center, seek out an email list or discussion forum, or swing by your local extension office. You’re likely to find plenty of amateur and professional naturalists who are happy to help you identify your discovery.

The above steps will certainly not guarantee that you find a rare critter. Most people don’t (that’s what makes them rare). But, chances are, when a vagrant bird shows up at your feeder, you'll be more likely to take note. So get outside, observe the wild things around you, pay attention, and you just might discover the next Giant Swallowtail.

As a final primer for your search for rarity, enjoy the following awareness test:

A “Giant” Backyard Discovery

2011-10-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

It was a day just like any other. Except that when Abby Colihan glanced out the window of her home into her garden, she noticed something different. It looked like a very large pile of bird guano, but upon closer inspection, Abby discovered it to be a caterpillar like none she had ever seen before.

The caterpillar was that of a Giant Swallowtail, a species that before July 30, 2010 had never before been seen in Vermont! This distinctive butterfly is similar in size to our Tiger Swallowtail butterfly with a striking mixture of black and yellow, with dashes of blue and red. Larvae feed on plants in the citrus family (Rutaceae) and resemble bird droppings from above (see picture above). Get up close to one, and it will try to fool you into thinking it is a snake (see picture below). If you still dare mess with this caterpillar, it will reveal its large antennae-like osmeterium that can give off harsh-smelling chemicals.

For some time it was suspected that Giant Swallowtail may arrive in Vermont. This species is known to move north some summers, establishing itself where it finds suitable food plants. In 2008, butterfly expert Bryan Pfeiffer noted that the Giant Swallowtail had been seen near Lake George in late August... it was already on its way. This Montpelier record constitutes only the second documentation of larvae in Vermont, and the farthest north this species has been documented in the state. So why didn’t anybody see this Giant Swallowtail before it laid eggs in Abby’s garden as it flew down the streets of Montpelier? And how did Abby know these caterpillars were special?

Stay tuned to our next blog update to learn how you too can discover a rare creature in your own backyard.

The rare "Buckeye" Flutters at NBNC

2011-09-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

The Common Buckeye is a striking butterfly with bold eye spots that can be flaunted in an attempt to guise as an owl and intimidate potential predators. Just looking at the picture of this gorgeous insect, it isn't hard to believe that it would be exciting to see one at the North Branch Nature Center, but what makes this sighting special is that the Common Buckeye is amongst the rarest butterflies in Vermont.

The mostly tropical genus of Buckeyes are fairly common in the south, where they can be found year-round in some places. The Common Buckeye regularly wanders north in summers, colonizing new areas as it expands northwards, occasionally even penetrating into southern portions of New England, but is extremely rare as far north as Vermont. Colonization in New England is only temporary as this species cannot survive our harsh winters. In fact, no sightings were known in Vermont before 2004 and in the recently completed Vermont Butterfly Survey, it was one of the ten least frequently encountered butterfly species.

While it came as a surprise to find a Buckeye at the Nature Center, it wasn't totally unexpected. 2011 has been an unprecedented year for "southerners" in Vermont, with butterfly species such as Giant Swallowtails (extremely rare and only seen in southern Vermont), Harvesters, and also plenty of Common Buckeyes being reported from numerous locations around Vermont. In fact, on August 24, Bryan Pfeiffer found two Common Buckeyes near Wrightsville Reservoir, just down the road from NBNC.

As climate change progresses and our planet slowly warms, perhaps sightings like this will become more common. After all, while a warming planet will be detrimental to many species, for others, it will create new opportunities. As the graceful Buckeye suns itself on the trails at NBNC, it is somewhat bittersweet that we enjoy its vivid pattern as it flashes its "owl eyes" towards our gaze. While there are many ugly signs of our rapidly changing climate, some come with bright colors and wings.

Caterpillars of NBNC (part 2)

2011-09-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

As we dig deep into our drawers, searching for sweatshirts forgotten months ago, it is hard not to wonder what caterpillars do to prepare as winter draws nearer. Some species of caterpillars are still active even into October. Here, we look at some more caterpillars found around the Nature Center and how they've adapted to make it through the long, cold winters:

Its a sure sign that fall is around the corner when you see a Wooly Bear walking across the lawn. Wooly Bears, the larval name for the Isabella Tiger Moth, overwinter as caterpillars and pupate after emerging the next spring.

You can barely turn a corner around NBNC without bumping into a Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar. They will stick together in groups when they first hatch in the mid-summer, but tend to separate as they grow, and by September can be fairly spread out. As winter comes, they will crawl into the leaf litter, spin a cocoon, and endure the cold months as a pupa.

These gentle giants start showing up in the fields of NBNC in late summer. The Gallium Sphinx Moth caterpillar feeds on bedstraw (aka Gallium). Caterpillars pupate and overwinter in loose cocoons in shallow underground burrows.

This caterpillar in the genus Panthea was found near the NBNC building this summer. Although we're not sure exactly what species it is, all in the genus feed exclusively on the needles of conifers and overwinter as pupae.

Many caterpillars, such as this Banded Tussock Moth, have tufts of hair protruding from various places. In fact, a "tussock" typically refers to a tuft of grass on a hummock, describing the hairy tufts. The Banded Tussock Moth incorporates many of its hairs into the cocoon where it overwinters.

Caterpillars of NBNC (part 1)

2011-09-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Amongst the many creatures worth watching this fall, the caterpillars that creep and crawl around our fields and forests can be every bit as interesting as the moths and butterflies they become. Stunningly patterned and with fascinating behaviors, we've marveled at the variety of caterpillars we observe at NBNC every year. Here are a few that spent their larval-lives at the Center:

Monarch caterpillars feed on milkweed. The migratory Monarch butterfly makes a 2,000+ mile journey from Vermont to Mexico each fall. Join NBNC for Monarch tagging on Wednesday afternoons as we attempt to track their journey. More info about this program

Black Swallowtail caterpillar near the NBNC building at the edge of the field. Their host plants include those in the carrot family, such as Queen-Anne's-Lace, parsely, and dill.

White-marked Tussock Moth. Caterpillars feed on a wide range of hardwoods and contain hairs(setae) that can cause skin irritation if handled.

Milkweed Tussock Moth. To no surprise, caterpillars feed on milkweed. They can be gregarious, forming large groups.

Paddle Caterpillar (Funerary Dagger Moth). A striking caterpillar whose long, paddle-shaped setae give it the resemblance of a viking ship. The caterpillar is described as "scarce" in Caterpillars of Eastern North America, but this individual was found right in the front lawn of NBNC!

Fern Fanatics: Why You Should Love Ferns

2011-07-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

They’re lush. They’re soft. They can carpet the forest floor. Whether you’re in swamp, field, or on rocky ledge, they are there. Ferns add a vibrant texture to our landscape, and when we begin to look more closely at them, there is a lot to discover.

Ferns occupy a unique niche amongst the plants of our world. Unlike many of our plants that reproduce by flower and seed, ferns are derived from a more primitive lineage that, like mushrooms, use spores to spread and multiply (although like some flowering plants, they can also spread underground via rhizomes). Flip over the frond of a fern (the leaf-like blades that protrude from the ground) and you may discover the ferns’ sori, or “spore packets”.

While we often think of ferns as occupants of dark, dank forests, many types can thrive in almost every crack and crevice of Vermont. Royal Fern may line the edges of lakes and ponds, while Common Polypody clings to the rocky surfaces of boulders and cliffs. While some are easy to identify, like the elegant Maidenhair Fern which grows in limestone soils of rich, moist forests, others can present quite a challenge to tell apart.

Flex your fern skills and join us for a woodland walk in Middlesex Notch with former botany professor Murray Evans. This will be a leisurely walk to explore some unusual species including Silvery Glade Fern and Maidenhair Spleenwort. No experience is necessary, and we hope you’ll take this opportunity to revisit some familiar ferns or explore a whole new facet of the natural world. This event takes place Please call 229-6206 with any questions and to register.

Bonus Question: Can you identify the fern photos in this blog post? Below are some resources to help get you started:

Winooski Valley Park District Fern Guide
Common Ferns of Vermont

What to Do if you Find a Baby Bird

2011-07-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Every summer, we receive numerous phone calls at NBNC from people who have found baby birds out of their nests, wondering what they can do to help. Not only is info on baby birds often lacking, but there is a lot of misinformation with regards to the proper course of action.

It is a natural part of most songbirds' development for them to spend some time out of the nest before they are capable of full flight. During this time, they are often still cared for by their parents (who are often watching from a bush or tree where you can't see them). If the bird is fully feathered, it is likely at this stage in its life and no intervention should be necessary, aside from keeping dogs and cats away.

If the bird is not feathered, returning it to its nest may be the best option, so look up and see if you can find/reach the nest. Contrary to popular belief, baby birds will not be rejected by their parents if handled by humans. It can be very difficult to tell if a baby bird was abandoned as parents will often stay away if they see you nearby, and go through every effort not to draw attention to their young. If you know for sure that the bird is abandoned (ie, mom was eaten by the neighbor's cat) you should find a trained wildlife rehabilitater, as baby birds require specialized care. You can contact the Nature Center for this info.

This short post gives a brief introduction to a few of the different scenarios that can unfold when a baby bird is found, but should you need further advice, please see the additional resources provided below: Mass Audubon

Robin Rescued from Tangled Fishing Line

2011-06-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

While out for a short visit to a local birding spot on the Winooski River this evening I got way more than I bargained for. As I descended the steep trail towards the river and a nearby marsh, I heard the distress calls of a Robin, and as I reached the sandy shore and rounded a corner, I saw a female Robin with its foot entangled in a big ball of fishing line.

Having experience working at bird banding stations, most recently at North Branch Nature Center, I felt confident that I could remedy the situation. Over the next 45 minutes, I worked to free her, first by restraining the bird using the “bander’s grip” and trying to tear the line. The line proved too tough to tear by hand; in fact, it tore my hand a bit! Without a way to break the line, I had to bring the line, bird, and all, back up to the parking area. There was line everywhere, wrapped up in trees, bushes, and sticks, and it was difficult to gather with one hand, and without putting tension on the line that could injure the bird. When I finally got all the line, I carried it (and the bird) back up the bank to the parking area.

I didn't have anything to cut the line in my car, so I knocked on the door of the nearest house. The homeowner came to the rescue with some small scissors, and I was eventually able to free the bird and release it unharmed. Her foot was wrapped tight, looking as if she had twisted and turned in the time after she became stuck and before I arrived. During the whole incident, a gang of Robins were crowded around us, squawking like mad. Upon her release, she flew a short distance and landed in the middle of the road. Shortly thereafter, a male landed next to her as if to console her. He stayed by her side, occasionally hopping, for several minutes while she sat still, and then they both flew off together.

Thankfully, this story had a happy ending, but the truth is that many animals get injured or killed by discarded fishing line, netting, plastic, and other litter. We should all not only take the responsibility to clean up after ourselves, but we should do our best to remove litter whenever we see it… if we do, we might just save a bird’s life.

Check back for pictures of the bird upon her release… they are being sent by the homeowner and will be posted to the blog shortly.

Turtle Tutorial

2011-06-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Within central Vermont, our most common turtles, the Painted and Snapping Turtles, spend the majority of their time in close proximity to water, rarely more than a few feet from it. Much of their lives are hidden from view, below the surface of our rivers, lakes and ponds. It is during the most important and vulnerable time in their lives when they venture to our world on dry land.

During these late-spring/early-summer months, Painted and Snapping Turtles leave the water in search of a place to lay their eggs. They favor open, sunny areas with loose, sandy soils to dig their nests. This preference often proves to their detriment, as roadsides, trails, and gardens often meet the turtles’ needs and cause them to come into conflict with people. Most turtles typically don’t travel far, but a female snapper is willing to travel over a half-mile in order to find a suitable nesting site.

If you come across a turtle, it is not advisable to relocate it to your favorite neighborhood pond down the road. What you can do is search for evidence of whether or not she has laid eggs (is she walking towards the water? away? Is she digging a hole? filling one?). If you’ve found evidence that she has already laid eggs, you can try bringing her back to the nearby wetland where she came from. If you don’t find any evidence that she has laid eggs, moving her will do little good as her instincts will drive her back to land to nest.

Moving Painted Turtles is fairly straightforward. Most will recoil as far into their shell as they can squeeze, but occasionally one may struggle and scratch at you with its claws. Rarely is any real damage inflicted. Snapping Turtles, however, live up to their namesake. In water they are quite docile, but on land their aggression is unmatched. Their powerful beak can clamp down with great force and speed, and their long necks give them a surprisingly long reach. There is no easy way to move a large snapper.

Carefully moving the turtle with a shovel may save you having to touch it, but if such a tool is unavailable, here are some other tips. Immobilizing the turtle by covering its head with a towel or other cloth may restrict its ability to snap at you. Never carry a turtle by the tail as it can cause injury. Instead, grab her with a hand on each side of her carapace (top shell) just above her hind legs. Be careful, as her neck is long and can snap backwards a considerable distance. Also beware that her claws are long and sharp, and without protective handware, she can easily draw blood.

When the turtle you encounter on land lays her eggs, you might find the location she has picked is not conducive to a successful breeding season. For example, the pile of woodchips next to the street tree nursery at NBNC was not a wise place for a female snapper in 2009. Her eggs would have dried up quickly in the woodchips and the pile would not have remained in that place throughout the summer. Ultimately, we decided the only way to prevent her nest from failing was to relocate the eggs.

Under the extreme circumstance that a nest needs relocation, look for a spot with good sun exposure, similar soil moisture (not too dry, not saturated), and bury the eggs at a similar depth. Some people believe it is best to keep the eggs the same side up while others are not convinced that it matters. Bare soil or just grass cover is good, but anything that will grow deep roots and provide shade is a bad idea.

Once a female has successfully laid her eggs, her role in their lives has ended. The threats the hatchlings will face are numerous, and they will have no parental supervision… just instinct. When discovered by raccoons, nests are quickly exhumed and eaten. Nests near human habitation are especially susceptible to this predation, as raccoons occur in greater densities in highly human-populated areas. If they are lucky enough to make it through the summer, a clutch of tiny, quarter-sized hatchlings will emerge from the soil in late fall, or early the next spring. In their first days, their shells are soft and malleable, offering little protection from predators. Some of the many creatures that could consume a baby turtle include crows, bullfrogs, bass, raccoons, otters, snakes, and countless others.

Next time you are out driving the streets, hiking the trails, or tending to the garden, and a turtle comes into view, don’t panic! Instead, enjoy the miraculous feat of nature at hand. Assess the situation and take action if warranted. Take some pictures and submit your sighting to the Vermont Reptile & Amphibian Atlas. And share your story with us, we’d love to hear about your turtle experience!

Birding Quest: 6-month Update

2011-06-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard, NBNC has been rallying both avid and beginning birdwatchers throughout Washington County to participate in a state-wide bird “quest”. All fourteen Vermont counties are striving to document as many types of birds as possible using the free, online database called eBird. Half way through the year, Washington County birders have a lot to be proud of. As of June 1, 167 species have been observed in the county (compared with 149 species last year). Of particular note so far in 2011 has been the abundance of shorebirds and waterfowl that passed through county, many of which are listed below in the “notable sightings”. With another six months left, there is no telling what surprises might be in store… Visit the Washington County Birding Challenge page for updates.

The Shoveler (left) and Wigeon (right) stood side-by-side on Berlin Pond this spring, not knowing how rare they are in Washington County!

Notable Sightings (based on current records in eBird)

1st Documented Sighting:
Semipalmated Plover

2nd Documented Sighting:
Surf Scoter (first sighting in over 30 years!)
Sora (first sighting in over 30 years!)
Lesser Yellowlegs
Great Black-backed Gull
Northern Hawk Owl

3rd Documented Sighting:
American Wigeon (also 4th sighting)
Northern Shoveler (also 4th sighting)
Great Egret

Binoculars + Caffeine + New Jersey = World Series of Birding

2011-05-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

Another year; another great trip for New Jersey for the World Series… a 24-hour birding marathon in which 80 teams scoured the garden state for every bird species they could find. Although we didn’t see the bird/creature on the right, it was the emblem for our team “The Chocolate-headed Cowbirds (with sprinkles)” which celebrates the support we received from a grant made by Ben & Jerry’s. Whether we were scouring the 10,000+ shorebirds at Heislerville, peering through the canopy to see the Acadian Flycatcher at Belleplain, or whistling to Eastern Screech-Owls just before dawn, our mixed-aged team enjoyed every minute of the trip.

Weather has played a major role in what birds we see during the competition and this year was no different. Migrating warblers were wholly absent and raptors were sparse. We often needed to visit 2-3 locations to find particular birds species that were found easily the day before. While some birds proved very difficult to find, we had great luck with sea birds. Amongst the ocean-faring birds we saw were Common Loon, Northern Gannet, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, and a total of 3 Parasitic Jaegers! Another highlight was the huge abundance of shorebirds at Heislerville. While we missed the rare Curlew Sandpiper that hid amongst the thousands of shorebirds, we did manage to find 18 species of shorebirds during the big day including a banded Semipalmated Sandpiper (pictured right).

(our group during the big day... about 13 hours into our birding adventure)

The Northern Flicker that flew over the van on our trip back raised our total species count for the trip to 150, with 139 species seen during the competition. A complete list of birds seen during our big day is shown below:

(click on the checklist to see a bigger version)

Day of the Nighthawk

2011-05-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

The North Branch Nature Center’s Youth Birding Program has partnered with middle school students in central Vermont to revitalize the nesting habitat of the Common Nighthawk. Once a common sight to people in Vermont cities, nighthawks used to swoop and dive across the sky at dusk, collecting insects as they went. Their preference to nest in large, open spaces may once have precluded Vermont from possible breeding locations, but since at least the late 1800’s Common Nighthawks have made use of gravel rooftops to raise their young.

Unfortunately, the Common Nighthawk is in steep decline throughout its breeding range and has not been seen breeding in Montpelier in recent years. One cause of their decline is loss of habitat: both natural and artificial. Conversion of gravel rooftops to other substrates is believed to be one cause for their disappearance from urban areas. In 2007, New Hampshire Audubon began a research initiative to install gravel “nest patches” on rooftops in order to create the Nighthawk’s preferred gravel nesting sites. Students from U-32 Middle/High School (Montpelier) and Crossett Brook Middle School (Waterbury), in partnership with North Branch Nature Center, will replicate the efforts of NH Audubon by installing Vermont’s first nest patches.

Yesterday, U-32 students installed a nest patch on their school’s roof, and will monitor this patch over the next few weeks. As Nighthawks return from their winter in South America and establish nesting sites in New England, we’ll be watching to see if our nest patch is used by a lucky Nighthawk family. Photos from the installation will be coming soon...

Central Vermont's Big Night

2011-04-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

After numerous photo-reports from around the state, Central Vermont has been very patient in waiting for our amphibians to finally awake and emerge. Last night they did just that, and in record numbers! Reports are still coming in, but widespread movements were reported from around central Vermont (and elsewhere). Weather looks good again tonight, so watch the roads if you must be out-and-about! Enjoy the following video and photos from crossing sites in Middlesex:

A "congress" of salamanders!

Spring Peeper

Spotted Salamander

Green Frog

Eastern Newt

American Toad

Woodland Wildflowers

2011-04-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

For a narrow window of time each spring, our forests erupt in an explosion of color as the woodland wildflowers bloom. Many of these flowers are in a race to leaf out and blossom before the tree canopy above closes, blocking sunlight from reaching the forest floor. Our earliest wildflowers are just starting to pop up in Central Vermont (Blood Root is flowering along the river at NBNC) and many more are on the way! For all those who enjoy spring flowers and would like to take their interest a step further, researchers are recruiting citizen scientists to help study the pollinators of Spring Beauty, a lovely little wildflower found around Vermont.

Enjoy this assortment of photos from the Greater-Burlington area, all taken this past weekend (April 23/24):

Dutchman's Breeches

Coltsfoot

Marsh Marigold

Trout Lily

Blue Cohosh

Birding in WaCo: Berlin Pond

2011-04-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

Berlin Pond is arguably the top birding spot in all of Central Vermont. On top of providing birds with great habitat, the pond provides Montpelier residents with their drinking water. With its status as a public water supply comes a host of protections from development and recreational uses. The shoreline of Berlin Pond is undeveloped and activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating are banned. These restrictions have caused tensions with local residents who recently protested by kayaking, ice fishing, and even proposing a fishing derby. But many others have made good use of Berlin Pond even without penetrating the water’s surface. Bikers, joggers, and of course, birders frequent the roads that circle the pond and over 160 bird species have been reported in this Audubon-designated Important Bird Area.

Although winter is probably the least exciting time to visit Berlin Pond, there are always surprises waiting to be found. The pond typically freezes over in winter, but when open water remains, many species of waterfowl can be found including Common Goldeneye, a winter duck that can be difficult to find away from Lake Champlain. Even when the pond is frozen it can be worth a visit… River Otter and Bobcat have been seen walking across the ice! Wild Turkey can be seen grazing in the open fields along the road loop. A myriad of different species inhabit the surrounding forests, and lucky visitors may see Northern Goshawk, Pileated Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and a host of other year-round residents.

In the spring, a flood of birds returning from the south arrive at Berlin Pond. In early spring, large numbers of waterfowl use the pond to rest along their migration, and some settle in to nest. At least 15 different species of ducks have been documented between March and May. The state threatened Black Tern regularly uses Berlin Pond as a stop during spring migration. Don’t forget to glance upwards for terns, gulls, and swallows; many species of these (including some rare ones) can be found catching insects and circling the water below. A wide variety of other songbirds can be found along the water’s edge and in the nearby forests.

In summer, many birds become quiet, but the numerous nesting species can still offer brilliant sights and sounds even in the hottest months. Raptors such as Osprey and Bald Eagle frequent the pond. Yellow Warblers nest in the shrubs and small trees along the shoreline, offering great eye-level views. Look for Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Kingbird, Red-winged Blackbirds, and other songbirds as they gather fish and insects to feed their young. In addition to these colorful species, a number of very elusive birds nest at Berlin Pond. You’re far more likely to hear the “gidik gidik” of the Virginia Rail or the “bloonk-adoonk” of the American Bittern than you are to see these birds. In the fall, waterfowl are again a source of excitement for visitors. Species such as Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, scaup, and others can be found around the pond and the brilliant fall colors make for a picturesque autumn scene.

To get to Berlin Pond, from I-89 take exit 7 (Berlin) and make your first right onto Paine Turnpike N. After 0.3 miles, make your first right onto Crosstown Rd. Immediately after passing under I-89, make a left onto Paine Turnpike S and then be ready for a quick right onto Brookfield Rd. A parking area is located at the North end of the pond off Brookfield Rd. After parking here, you can walk about a quarter-mile with nice views of the water. There is a nice viewpoint from the south end of the pond as well, which is accessible by continuing down Brookfield Rd. and turning left onto Mirror Lake Rd. Beware mud season! The road can be really rough in early spring.

Another Big Night

2011-04-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's rains and warm temperatures were just what our sleeping amphibians have been waiting for, and reports have been rolling in from around the state. While colder sites in the Champlain Valley were seeing their peak activity, even the warmest sites in central Vermont were just experiencing their first movements of amphibians and few frogs were heard singing. There are still many areas of central Vermont that are waiting for their first activity of the year, but if sufficient melting occurs at those sites over the course of the day we could see widespread activity throughout the area this evening. If you have to be driving, please watch the roads carefully for amphibians. Below are a few pictures from Pond Rd in Shelburne, where 8 species of amphibians and 3 species of reptiles were observed:

A whopping 44 Spotted Salamanders crossed.

We found 7 Green Frogs over the course of the evening.

Spring Peepers were the most numerous with 60 crossed.

Adult male Eastern Newts can be easily identified during breeding season by their swollen vents and black pads on the tips of their toes. We found 2, the other was a juvenile.

Only 8 Wood Frogs were seen, and none heard singing.

We had 8 Leopard Frogs, and even heard some singing!

Amphibians on the Move

2011-04-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

It was still too cold and snowy for amphibians in central Vermont, but the migration has officially begun in the Champlain Valley. Here are a few pictures from yesterday evening's big movement:

We crossed about two dozen Spotted Salamanders.

The Jefferson/Blue-spotted Salamanders were most abundant, with around 90 crossed.

We crossed about 8 of these rare Four-toed Salamanders.

We only crossed around a half dozen Spring Peepers in the evening.

For more info about amphibian migration visit the Amphibian Monitoring Program page.

Eastern Bluebird is Back at NBNC!

2011-03-31T12:52:00.001-07:00

Our first Eastern Bluebird of the year returned to NBNC today. I was surprised to see it perched in the Red Maple outside the office windows where it perched for at a good minute, allowing me to take the above picture using a point-and-shoot camera which I held up to the lens of my binoculars!

eBird: Tracking the Birds of NBNC (& beyond!)

2011-03-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

Whether scientist, avid birder, or “backyard” observer, many people who watch birds keep a list of one form or another. Whether they be life lists (birds seen by a person in their lifetime), yard lists (birds seen in a person’s backyard), or year lists (birds seen over the course of a given year), listing is a way for individuals to archive their sightings and reference them in the future. Now, listing has been made easy by eBird, an online bird sightings database available for free. Best of all, the lists you enter can help scientists to learn more about bird abundance and distribution on a global scale.

As information is entered into eBird, it is made publicly available for all to see and use, and the observations submitted at the North Branch Nature Center have documented 127 species and revealed interesting trends in the distribution of birds at NBNC. While species that rare here (such as Eastern Towhee) may have only been reported once, many others have been documented dozens of times throughout the year. The more information is entered into the eBird database, the more it can tell us.

All sightings in eBird require a specific date and location for each observation. This allows for easy comparisons between the birds of NBNC and those of Washington County (or all of Vermont) over the course of the year. Users can even reference specific sightings and create maps that help track where birds have been seen recently. As more and more observations are entered, the power of eBird continues to grow, and this free tool offers countless other features that can enhance our enjoyment of birdlife and increase our knowledge at the same time.

For those who want to learn more:

Got eBird?
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Fee: by donation
Every time that you see and identify a bird, you are holding a piece of a puzzle. Whether you are casually watching birds in your backyard, or chasing rare species, you are helping to put this puzzle together. Unfortunately, just like puzzle pieces, these observations lose their value if they remain separate from one another. Join VCE biologist Kent McFarland to learn how your bird sightings can help complete a picture of the life of birds through eBird. You’ll also learn how eBird is being used in the Vermont County Birding Quest.

Also check out the online eBird tutorial.

A Perilous Journey and a Helping Hand

2011-03-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

It was a warm, spring evening in a small village in Vermont. Patches of snow littered the forest floor, and a slushy precipitation fell from the sky. A deafening chorus of peeps and croaks rang through the night. Little did the inhabitants of this village know, an epic journey was underway.

This journey was the annual migration of a menagerie of amphibians, traveling from their over-wintering sites in forest uplands to their breeding grounds in vernal pools and other wetlands. Triggered by the first warm, rainy nights of spring, hundreds, or even thousands of small creatures simultaneously rise from their long winter slumber to make this expedition to procreate. Over half a dozen different species of frogs and salamanders partake in this dangerous trek, from Spring Peeper to Spotted Salamander. Unfortunately, their migration route is often intercepted by roads. It is a horrifying reality that many of these defenseless animals may never reach their final destination. Road mortality can be detrimental to the amphibians, disturbing or even destroying entire populations.

Thankfully, more and more people are learning of this little-known mass migration. North Branch Nature Center is one of several organizations around the state which has taken on the task of recruiting and training volunteers to act as crossing guards for our four-legged friends, ensuring they live to mate and sustain future generations of their species. Deep down in the mud, Vermont’s frogs and salamanders are still hibernating, but when it comes time to migrate over the next month they will again need our help. To learn more about amphibian migration and NBNC’s Amphibian Monitoring Program, please visit our website or attend one of our trainings sessions and learn how you can monitor and rescue amphibians:
    * Thursday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. Phoenix Books, Essex, VT
    * Wednesday, March 23, 6:00 p.m. Waitsfield Elementary School, Waitsfield, VT
    * Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, VT

Bird + Stick = Spring

2011-03-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

While driving to work this week, a raven flew low over my car, carrying with it a sign of spring. The raven was holding a stick in its beak, which gave me hope that spring really is coming, despite the two feet of snow that fell just a couple of days prior. Although I quickly lost sight of the bird, I’m sure it was heading to a nest under construction somewhere nearby.

Common Ravens are one of our earliest nesting bird species in Vermont. They often begin construction of their nests in March, usually on cliff faces, but also in evergreen trees. Sometimes ravens will share a cliff with the much rarer Peregrine Falcon. Ravens lay between 3 and 7 eggs, with 2 to 4 nestlings usually surviving to fledgling. In Vermont, young ravens may be out of the nest as early as May, before many migrant songbirds have even arrived on their breeding grounds.

A few other bird species nest early in the season, including Great Horned and Barred Owls, American Crowd and Pine Siskins . The Gray Jay, a species in the same family as the Common Raven and found only in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, has been observed nest building as early as March in Vermont.

So, while spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20 (and it usually snows well into April), there are plenty of signs of spring to be alert to. What are you seeing? We hope you’ll share with us your own hopeful observations.

Probable Hoary Redpoll visits NBNC

2011-03-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

At around 12:15 pm, a pale-looking redpoll landed in the Red Maple tree outside the office windows of the Nature Center, instantly grabbing the attention of those inside. After meticulously observing field marks, we are currently leaning in favor of calling this a Hoary Redpoll. More updates to follow, but here are a few pictures:

Notice the pale rump in the picture above

Notice the pale undertail coverts in the above picture, which show only a single black streak

The above photo shows two pictures of Redpolls taken just minutes apart under the feeder, in the same light conditions. The bird in the upper photo is a Common Redpoll. The bird in the lower photo? We're leaning towards Hoary... more details will be posted soon.

Bohemian Waxwings Invade

2011-03-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

New England winters are notorious for being harsh, especially as winter lingers a bit longer than is often welcome in the beginning of March. But for those who appreciate birds, there are about a dozen types winged gems that wander from the north some winters and warm our hearts. One of these northern visitors that calls Vermont “south for the winter” is the Bohemian Waxwing.

The Cedar Waxwings grace our region year-round, but Bohemian Waxwings only occasionally wander to our reaches. Known as an ‘irruptive species’, some years Bohemians are numerous while others they are wholly absent. Their presence depends mostly on the availability of food in the boreal forests farther north. Their preferred winter diet consists mainly of berries and fruits, so if, for example, the Mountain Ash crop is weak in Canada one year, we may find a plethora of Bohemian Waxwings in our backyards.

Although they are quite similar to their southern cousins, Bohemian Waxwings are quite distinctive if you know what you are looking for. In sound they are quite similar, with the Bohemian having a more ‘musical’ sounding high-pitch tremolo than the fairly flat, mechanical high-pitch sound of the Cedar. This distinction, however, is subtle and distinguishing calls comes with practice. A key feature that sets the Bohemian Waxwing apart from the Cedar Waxwing is the rusty-brown undertail coverts. When viewed from below, this field mark is very apparent and the easiest way to distinguish the two. Bohemian Waxwings are slightly larger, but this field mark is only useful when the two species are side-by-side. The name waxwing is derived from the red tips of some wing feathers, which reminded early observers of sealing wax and these feathers can also help to distinguish these species. The Bohemian Waxwing has yellow and white in addition to the red on its wing-tips. Another more subtle field mark is the grayer belly of the Bohemians, but this can be quite subjective based on lighting and is better used as ‘supporting evidence’ of an ID rather than a sole characteristic to rely on.

Finding Bohemian Waxwings is a game of chance. Even in years when they are present, their nomadic nature makes them difficult to find predictably over a period of time. A huge flock might descend on a tree, pick every branch clean of berries, and then move on, never to return. They often seem to show up in downtowns, working the fruits of ornamental crabapple and cherry trees that line city streets. When they do this, the flock will often land atop a nearby tall tree which they’ll use as a ‘staging area’. Smaller groups from the flock descend upon the fruiting tree, swallowing entire fruits whole. When they go into this sort of feeding frenzy, they can often be approached fairly closely without being spooked. After all, in the remote northern regions where they breed, they may never encounter a single human so why perceive us as a threat on their wintering grounds?

I once observed a flock of Bohemian Waxwings 1,000 strong in the heart of Burlington. The typically soft, high-pitch trill blared throughout the two city blocks they filled along College Street. I quickly ran to a friend’s house down the road and dragged them out to see the commotion. These non-birders couldn’t help but smile with delight as we stood between the waxwings’ staging areas and the fruit trees from which they fed, birds buzzing within inches of our heads. While this flock was unusually large, they frequently gather in groups of 50 or more, sometimes attracting attention from creatures other than humans. While photographing a flock of Bohemian Waxwings outside my apartment in Winooski, the entire bunch abruptly took off. Despite my close proximity to them, my slow fluid movements must have spooked the flock. Or did they? As I turned my head, a Merlin sat on the ground, waxwing clenched in its talons, before flying off with its prey (pictured below). A study in South-central Saskatchewan found that Bohemian Waxwing accounted for over a quarter of Merlins’ diet!

While seemingly oblivious to the Merlin’s presence in this instance, Bohemian Waxwings can be quick to take notice of other predators. The soft chatter of a flock I observed in South Burlington stopped abruptly and all the waxwings struck a cryptic pose, bodies extended vertically and necks craned skyward (pictured right). As I mimicked the waxwings with my own posture, I quickly saw the cause for their change in behavior: a Northern Harrier passing high overhead.

In addition to attracting the attention of predators, there are inherent risks that come with a diet of fruit. Feeding on street corners means encounters with cars are inevitable, and Bohemian Waxwings can be susceptible to being hit. This fall, an injured Bohemian Waxwing was brought to NBNC from the statehouse lawn in Montpelier, the likely victim of a hit-and-run. In spring, different problems arise. Fruits that have managed to persist through the winter may have been host to a congress of yeast and sugars, resulting in fermentation. On one occasion in Winooski, I found a waxwing that lay helpless on the lawn incapable of flight. At first I suspected injury, perhaps from a cat (another major predator), but then I realized this waxwing was drunk! Waxwings aren’t the only creatures prone to inebriation, but their choice of food means an increased risk of succumbing to alcohol, sometimes fatally.

While you may witness waxwings’ misfortunes, the careful observer will also enjoy a host of other interesting behaviors and interactions. Waxwings are highly gregarious creatures that enjoy each others’ company. Their constant chatter is thought to strengthen cohesion of the flock, and intensifies prior to the waxwings’ movement from one location to another. Even though they breed hundreds of miles away, we get a glimpse into their summer lives as they begin pairing up as early as January. Amongst the waxwings repertoire of flirtatious displays are the “gifting” of fruits, feeding, and “billing” (touching or clasping of beaks). In a 1988 study, Cramp reported “…[a] male sidling up to perched female and hopping from one side of her to the other, billing, and hovering briefly in front of her to offer a fruit.”

Not only is the Bohemian Waxwing a bird worthy of adding to any “life list”, but anyone who ignores them after marking the Bohemian on their checklist is missing out. The next time you stumble upon a flock of Waxwings, spend some time with them and get to know them and you won’t be disappointed. Before you know it, spring will come you’ll be once again waiting for winter’s gems.

Essay and photos by Larry Clarfeld

Uninvited Guest Now Resides at Nature Center

2011-02-07T14:14:00.000-08:00

Those who have visited the Nature Center in Montpelier know that we have a critter room which houses a number of snakes, turtles, salamanders, and a few arthropods. For the past few weeks, a different, more warm-blooded creature has been residing at the Nature Center and it wasn’t invited! An ermine (aka Short-tailed Weasel or Stoat) has been seen on-and-off since mid-January, and it has been making its presence known.

Recently, when a family in the critter room asked about the “new animal”, we were shocked to find that the ermine had “weaseled” its way into the Box Turtle tank through ventilation holes and was enjoying part of the turtles’ lunch! We caught our uninvited guest in the act, sharing lunch with the turtles, in the picture shown on the right. Thankfully the ermine didn’t harm the turtles in any way and the ventilation holes have since been sealed. But ermine encounters are still quite common in the NBNC building. The bold ermine has even walked right up to people and sniffed their shoes!

As with all old buildings in Vermont, there are plenty of ways for animals to penetrate our walls, and the century-old stone foundation of the Nature Center has allowed in other creatures over the years such as mice and squirrels. Our ermine is likely keeping tabs on other rodent squatters. In the wild, ermines are known for their prowess in capturing prey, and easily invade burrows for mice, voles, and even young rabbits.

The highly active lifestyle of the ermine requires it to consume a large amount of food relative to their size, as much as a quarter to a third of their total body weight daily. Their need for a large volume of prey has made ermine both revered and reviled by people. Outside of the chicken coup the ermine can be a helpful companion in disposing of rodent pests, but inside the chicken coup the ermine can wreak havoc, eating chickens and eggs alike. In New Zealand, ermine were introduced as early as the late 1800’s to help eradicate rabbits, but the plan backfired when they spread throughout the country, decimating flightless and defenseless native bird populations. The introduction of ermine into New Zealand is now considered one of that country’s worst environmental mistakes ever.

So far, we’ve coexisted quite peacefully with our ermine friend. How long she/he will stick around is anybody’s guess. In spring and summer, his/her fur will turn brown and it will be time to return to the wild. But for now, we’ll enjoy the company of another animal in the building and will always anticipate entering a room, because we never know when those curious black eyes will be looking up at us.

North Branch Noddies Score Big in Superbowl

2011-01-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

For twelve consecutive hours, the North Branch Noddies scoured the coast of Essex County, MA, in search of all the birds that they could find in the Superbowl of Birding. This was our third year taking part in the competition and we tallied an impressive 66 species, more than we ever have before!

Fair weather and calm wind were a welcomed change form last year, and we were easily able to find Eastern Screech-Owl in two locations before dawn. At first light, we headed to Andrew's Point where birds were very active off the coast. Under good lighting and at close distances, we had great views of Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Harlequin Ducks, and a group of a dozen Razorbill among others.

Before noon we had already found amazing birds such as the Barrow's Goldeneye at Loblolly Cove, the King Eider (pictured above) at Bass Rocks, and the Common Murre at Eastern Point. Every stop we made throughout the day seemed to add new species to our list. As the sun was setting, with less than 10 minutes left in the competition, a Short-eared Owl flew silently across the sky at Plum Island as our final bird.

After a fantastic day of birding, the Noddies were happy to learn that they won the Seeker's Award, which is given to the team that finds the most birds off of a special checklist of 30 species. The only species off the list that we didn't see were Northern Gannet, Iceland Gull, and Snowy Owl (which surprisingly wasn't found by any team). Learn more about Youth Birding events.

In this competition, birds are ranked by difficulty to find (1 point being easiest and 5 points being hardest). Our complete checklist is below:
* on the Seeker's Checklist
1 point (plain text)
2 points (bold)
3 POINTS (BOLD, CAPS)
4 POINTS (BOLD, CAPS, ITALICS)
5 POINTS (BOLD, CAPS, ITALICS, UNDERLINED)

Canada Goose
BRANT
Mute Swan
Gadwall*
American Black Duck
Mallard
Greater Scaup
KING EIDER
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck*
Surf Scoter*
White-winged Scoter*
Black Scoter*
Long-tailed Duck*
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye*
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser*
Red-breasted Merganser*
Red-throated Loon*
Common Loon
Horned Grebe*
Red-necked Grebe*
Great Cormorant*
TURKEY VULTURE
Bald Eagle*
Northern Harrier*
COOPER'S HAWK
Red-tailed Hawk*
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
PEREGRINE FALCON
Purple Sandpiper*
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
COMMON MURRE
RAZORBILL
Black Guillemot*
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Eastern Screech-Owl
SHORT-EARED OWL
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
Downy Woodpecker*
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark*
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch*
Carolina Wren*
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird*
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing*
American Tree Sparrow*
SAVANNAH SPARROW
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow*
Dark-eyed Junco
SNOW BUNTING
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
American Goldfinch*
House Sparrow

Winter tracking at NBNC

2011-01-24T08:52:00.000-08:00

Animal tracks abound in all of this snow! Snow is advantageous to many active animals in Vermont’s winter landscape, though as it gains depth rapidly with the series of storms we’ve had this month, it will slow down movement for larger animals such as white tailed deer. But smaller animals will burrow safely in its insulating depth to move from food cache to nesting sites, gaining protection from predators and from more serious cold in the air above.

Around our Nature Center we saw a beautiful pattern of small rodent tracks, perhaps belonging to a white footed mouse or deer mouse, making a large figure eight around our white pine trees. The children attending our morning Preschool Discovery Program were fascinated with the tracks that ended in a one inch hole, and they bent closely to see what they might spot down below. However, when we followed a separate set of tracks in the same area, those tracks ended more ominously at a hand sized depression flanked by light strokes of wing feathers. Clearly, a predatory bird had found a meal. We didn’t see any of this happen, we could only read the story in the tracks. So, as you venture out on skis or snowshoes, watch for tales unfolding in the snow. Wild animals have to move a lot to find energy to survive at this time of year, but we can read that message of movement from knowing basic track patterns. Keep your eyes on the snow!

Varied Thrush in Bolton Becomes a Celebrity

2011-01-19T08:16:00.000-08:00

For weeks, a Varied Thrush has resided in the backyard of Don and June Kenney of Bolton. Last week, the bird was featured on WPTZ (news channel 5) and the video is now online, with some commentary from NBNC educator Larry Clarfeld. View the video.

Ice Circles on the North Branch

2011-01-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

Meetings at the North Branch Nature Center frequently get interrupted by natural phenomena. Usually it’s a bird sighting or a butterfly, certainly something alive. But what had us pulling on boots and hats recently was something more geometrical in nature. Larry Clarfeld, environmental educator at NBNC, had found what’s called an ice circle/disc or “pizza ice”. When he first came upon the ice circle along a bend of the North Branch of the Winooski River, it was slowly revolving in place. This particular stretch of river has a sharp bend near a spot we call “otter rock”. The river here features a deep hole and an eddy that may have helped the circle to form.

Expert on ice formation, Faye Hicks, a professor at the department of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, says these rarely-seen discs form near the outside of a bend in the river. When flow enters a river bend, flow velocities increase due to the effects of centrifugal acceleration; also, the bulk of the flow is pushed towards the outer bank."

"This high-velocity flow curves around the outer bank of the bend and, if there is an ice cover in the bend, the curving flow creates a curved drag force on the underside of the ice," Hicks said.

The rotating ice scrapes along the bank or nearby ice, eventually smoothing off the rough edges and creating a nearly perfect circle.

By the time we all got down to the river the ice circle had frozen in place, but there were actually two frozen ice disks nearly in contact with each other. One wheel, the recently rotating one, measured an estimated 25 feet in diameter, while the smaller one was about 15 feet across. I imagine one wheel formed first, eventually floated a bit downstream and froze into place, while another formed in its place.

If you’d like to learn more about how ice circles form, you can visit the Burlington Free Press's coverage on ice circles last year and even watch a video of it rotating in place (somewhat akin to watching paint dry).

Hawk Owl Returns

2011-01-06T17:25:00.000-08:00

After not being seen since January 1st, the Northern Hawk Owl was seen this morning at around 9:30 am. Here is a digiscoped picture:

More details about this sighting are in the comment of the previous post

New Year's Northern Hawk Owl in Berlin, VT!

2011-01-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

2010 ended with some excitement for Nat Shambaugh as he discovered a Northern Hawk Owl hanging out in the fields around Towne-Aire farm at the end of Jones Brook Rd in Berlin! “Go west on route 2 out of Montpelier, turn left at the fork past the Dairy Creme onto Three Mile Bridge Rd,” directed Nat, “go over the bridge and turn right onto the river road and start looking around in the tree tops and elec. poles…” After reporting the bird on the VTBIRD list on December 31, eager birders from around the state converged on Berlin to see the owl and over a dozen people saw the Hawk Owl in the 48-hours following Nat's original posting.

Northern Hawk Owls are indeed owls, not hawks, and are breeders of the boreal forest, only venturing to our southern reaches occasionally in winter. It gets its name because, as one would expect, it is said to resemble a hawk in appearance with a more slender, stream-lined body, smaller head, and overall more “hawk-like” posture and appearance than other North American owls. A treat for any birder (or non-birder, for that matter) to see, these owls are diurnal. When they do appear in our state, being active by day makes them much easier to observe. Furthermore, they have a tendency to choose the most prominent perch, be it the tippy-top of a tree, a telephone pole or wire, a fence post, or a street sign. Although their appearance in our state is rare, when they do appear, they tend to stick around and attract hordes of birders. The image above of a Hawk Owl in Eden, VT spent almost 2 months in the same location in the winter of 2009, being seen dozens of times by scores of birders. How long the Berlin owl will stick around is anybody’s guess.

Despite many search attempts since January 1st, the Berlin Hawk Owl hasn’t been relocated. Living only a few miles from the site where it was discovered, Chip Darmstadt was hot on the scene before its disappearance and got the picture shown above. “Eventually it flew over Jones Brook Road,” recounted Chip, “continuing to hunt from the powerline on the open hillside (technically in Moretown). There's a lot of open country along this stretch of the Winooski, so it would definitely be worth driving all of River Road between Montpelier and Middlesex [for those who want to look for it].” Another lucky observer, John Snell, managed to capture some thermal images of the owl as the sun set on New Year ’s Eve. Check out these amazing images below! (note that the right image shows the Hawk Owl on the ground after catching a rodent!)

We’ll keep trying to relocate this bird and will make updates on our blog, so check back for more details. Also, Bryan Pfeiffer, guru birder and friend of NBNC is keeping tabs on sightings on his blog, The Daily Wing. Whether the bird is rediscovered or not, it has already put on quite a show and given us a great start to the Washington County Birding Challenge!

The Birds of Washington County

2010-12-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

Inspired by our friends at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE), NBNC invites you to participate in our first year-long Washington County Birding Challenge. For an entire year, we will be tracking how many bird species are seen in Washington County (WaCo). How many birds will we find? You can help us by reporting the birds you see!

Through the WaCo Birding Challenge we seek to learn more about where different birds live in our county, discover areas that might be important to rare species, raise awareness about the many amazing birds that visit our county, and hav fun while celebrating our local biodiversity. We'll even include a venue for those who want to compete to see if they can find the most birds in WaCo. To submit your observations (starting January 1, 2011) or see the latest tally, visit http://www.northbranchnaturecenter.org/waco/ and stay tuned for details.

Plainfield CBC Results

2010-12-20T16:38:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, the 50th Plainfield Christmas Bird Count was held and the preliminary results are in. These results are not complete, but already we've recorded a 10-year high in our total species count of 40 (ten year average is 25 species). The most unusual sighting was a group of three Lapland Longspur that were seen eating grit by the side of a road, the first time this species has appeared for the Plainfield circle. Other highlights included a flock of 18 Pine Grosbeak (not many/any reports this season), a pair of Hooded Mergansers (rare on this count), good numbers of Bohemian Waxwing (98), and others. The preliminary tally is below:

Mallard 11
Hooded Merganser 2
Ruffed Grouse 2
Wild Turkey 311
Accipiter sp. 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon 349
Mourning Dove 160
Barred Owl 1
Downy Woodpecker 39
Hairy Woodpecker 42
Pileated Woodpecker 7
Northern Shrike 1
Blue Jay 216
American Crow 247
Common Raven 46
Black-capped Chickadee 1263
Tufted Titmouse 13
Red-breasted Nuthatch 13
White-breasted Nuthatch 34
Brown Creeper 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 13
American Robin 1
European Starling 752
Bohemian Waxwing 98
Cedar Waxwing 10
American Tree Sparrow 22
Dark-eyed Junco 22
Lapland Longspur 3
Snow Bunting 175
Northern Cardinal 27
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
Pine Grosbeak 18
Purple Finch 2
House Finch 7
Common Redpoll 40
Pine Siskin 2
American Goldfinch 188
Evening Grosbeak 12
House Sparrow 36

Counting on You to Count the Birds

2010-12-16T04:26:00.000-08:00

A group of 27 bird enthusiasts set out on Christmas Day, 1900 to count the birds they saw. This simple act was the creation of a century-long crusade that engaged over 60,000 people this past season. Creator Frank Chapman recognized the potential of the bird count from the beginning. In the announcement of the sixth bird count Chapman proclaimed “…we are gradually accumulating a mass of exact information… having, consequently, a real scientific value.” Now, 110 years later, the CBC has been cited in hundreds of papers and is now considered one of 24 major
indicators of climate impacts by the EPA.

Originally proposed by Frank Chapman, the CBC was proposed as an alternative to the ‘side hunt’, a tradition of the times that involved two teams of men competing in a kill-competition to see which team can accrue the most animal carcasses. In Enosburg Falls, VT, the participants of an 1896 side hunt collected a bevy of over 550 birds and mammals(see above). Not surprisingly, those numbers were drastically reduced in 1897. Through Bird Lore, the popular magazine Chapman published, he announced “a new kind of Christmas side hunt in the form of a Christmas bird-census”.

By 1902, the third year of the CBC, Vermonters were already participating. Gilbert H. Trafton spent six hours on Christmas Day scouring Randolph Center for birds and tallying a shrike, two White-breasted Nuthatches, and a chickadee. “The number of birds seen was very small,” remarked Trafton, “but it gives a fair indication of the winter bird-life here. I pass many days without seeing or hearing a single bird.” This statement held true to Chapman’s original intent to capture a census of observations both unusual and mundane, but thankfully, Vermont CBC’s since then have produced plenty of birds both common and rare.

The CBC in Vermont has come a long way since the first in 1902, which counted just four birds. In 2010, over 350 participants performed 17 counts tallying around 100,000 birds of over 100 species. The increase in popularity isn’t isolated to Vermont. Increasing numbers of CBC’s are being held in Latin America, the Caribbean Islands, and elsewhere. In 2009, a CBC was even held in Antarctica.

With its growth in size, the CBC has become a powerful tool in knowing and understanding the population trends of birds in winter. One can see the rise of Wild Turkey and the decline of Evening Grosbeak. We can even see the effects of climate change as species like Carolina Wren spread north. Only time will tell what other trends the CBC reveals, but for it to continue to be useful, we’re counting on you to count the birds.

This article originated from the Nature Center's Youth Birding Newsletter

The Blog is Back!

2010-12-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

Hello out there to everyone in the blog-o-sphere! NBNC will start our cyber-experiment of maintaining a blog for all to enjoy! Our blog will take the place of the "Nature News" section of our website which has been maintained since our re-opening in 2006. All entries to the "Nature News" are now available here in blog format, so you can look back at the many years of stories and observations in one convenient location.

We hope you'll share in the fun by posting your comments and your own observations and insights. Part of our reason for switching to 'blog' format is to make the web-experience with NBNC more interactive and engaging. Let us know what you think of the new blog... we'd love your feedback! Happy holidays to everyone, and enjoy!

April 3, 2010

2010-04-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

Chip reported a White-throated Sparrow under the feeder today... the first sighting of the year.

March 30, 2010

2010-03-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

While people might despise a 40 degree, rainy day in March, volunteers of NBNC's Amphibian Monitoring Program are ecstatic. The warm, moist weather triggered the first substantial migrations of amphibians this season, several weeks earlier than is typical in this part of the state. Amphibians were moving in many locations around the state, and in Middlesex, 24 Wood Frogs and 3 Spotted Salamanders were safely crossed (sadly, the only Spring Peepers found had been run over). If you have to drive on any rainy nights in the next few weeks, use extreme caution to avoid accidentally flattening our four-legged friends, and to learn how to help, contact Larry.

March 26, 2010

2010-03-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

Despite the lack of new updates to the Nature News section, there has been lots of new nature sightings this spring around NBNC. Today we had lingering winter birds such as Tree Sparrows at the feeder and a singing Northern Shrike near the bridge. At the same time, the new spring arrivals are pouring back, with today's site survey recording Blackbirds, Grackles, a Flicker, Song Sparrows, and others. A male Eastern Bluebird that has been hanging around the past two weeks was joined by a female today.

The Nature News section is undergoing big changes, and will eventually become an interactive blog, where you can share your sightings and comment on ours. In the interim, updates may be sparse, but we'll try to make a post every now and then. Please keep your sightings coming though, we'd love to hear them!

January 20, 2010

2010-01-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

After receiving a few inches of snow over the past few days, NBNC staff discovered fresh tracks in the vacinity of the buildings. Those tracks, belonging to a Red Fox, made a small loop down the driveway and past the bird feeders through the front yard. Fox scat was also found near the tracks very close to the building.

January 15, 2010

2010-01-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

Today's big surprise during the weekly Site Survey for birds was a small flock (3) Snow Buntings flying and calling over the fields! Although a common winter visitor to Vermont, Snow Bunting are seldom seen at the Nature Center, and this marks one of the only records we have for the species. A very fine looking deer bed was also discovered on the property with fresh tracks and droppings in the area.

January 7, 2010

2010-01-07T19:44:00.000-08:00

Happy new year to all! With the holiday season, a few pending updates went unmade, but expect several posts about last month's Christmas Bird Counts to be posted retroactively. Today's noteworthy sighting occured during the eBird site survey. A lone Canada Goose was seen foraging in the river! Although Canada Geese are overwintering in Vermont in increased numbers, they are still uncommon here in Central Vermont.

December 4, 2009

2009-12-04T19:44:00.000-08:00

Today marked the first day of our eBird site survey for the North Branch Nature Center property. The eBird site survey will be performed weekly and data will be entered into eBird for use by scientists (learn more about the eBird site survey). We did turn up a bird that we rarely see on the property: a lone Carolina Wren was seen skulking around in a wet, brushy area near the river. Other noteworthy birds include American Tree Sparrow.

November 30, 2009

2009-11-30T19:45:00.000-08:00

Although it wasn't the first time this season that American Tree Sparrows made an appearance, there were at least a half dozen hanging around the parking lot and bird feeders this morning. The photo of the individual to the right (taken at NBNC last year) shows some of the tell tale field marks for this winter visitor, including the rufous crown, gray face, bicolored bill, and white wing bar. If seen from the front, a dark spot would be visible in the center of the breast. Photo by Larry Clarfeld.

November 10, 2009

2009-11-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

With the change of seasons, we come to expect a new set of birds and can sometimes anxiously await their arrival. Well the wait for the Northern Shrike ended today as Chip spotted one perched prominently atop a Cedar tree in the parking lot. It flew off across the fields before the rest of the NBNC staff got to see it, so we're back to waiting again for the next appearance!

November 2, 2009

2009-11-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

With the sun shining this afternoon, NBNC staff salvaged one of the last opportunities to have lunch outside (without the aide of winter clothes). We were delighted to hear the winnie of an American Robin, which was hanging around the bird feeder. We were also privileged to hear one of our resident Blue Jays imitating the call of a Broad-winged Hawk. They do this fairly regularly here, and are quite convincing (we always look up when we hear it).

The true surprise of the day was a Red Admiral, sunning itself on a post in the field. It held its wings perpendicular to the sun in an effort to absorb the most possible heat. And so we pose the same question we did on October 19: Will this be the last butterfly of the season? Only time will tell.

October 27, 2009

2009-10-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

During a school program today, there was a lot of wildlife activity in the beaver ponds. After the program, our staff took a short hike up to the pond to try to relocate a shorebird seen earlier. Although we were not able to relocate the shorebird, we did watch a Great Blue Heron catch and consume a small rodent which was scurrying along the dam!

October 19, 2009

2009-10-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

Despite a very frosty morning, the bright sunshine made it bearable for NBNC staff to eat lunch outside! Apparently, it was warm enough for a Red Admiral butterfly to land near the butterfly garden and sun itself on some wood chips. Will this be the last butterfly of the season? A short hike also turned up some interesting birds, including Eastern Phoebe, Savannah Sparrow, and 13 Mallards in the beaver pond! Also, no less than seven Painted Turtles were seen basking.

October 13, 2009

2009-10-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

Winter gave us a sneak preview today, with a fine coating of snow which continued falling into the morning. In recognition of the changing seasons, our bird feeder is back up. Perhaps this is what attracted a group of about a dozen Common Grackles, the first flock that we have seen here in a number of weeks. Other timely news includes the flowering of the Witch Hazel in the parking lot, which actually began to flower two weeks ago.

October 12, 2009

2009-10-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

A cool start to the day transitioned into a comfortable afternoon. During a brief hike into Hubbard Park, it certainly felt like a transitional time of year. Dark-eyed Juncos are again present in the area after being absent most of the summer. A huge flock of Robins continues to take advantage of the abundance of fruiting trees and plants at NBNC. Active amphibians such as Northern Two-lined and Northern Dusky Salamanders were observed in a stream and a Clouded Sulphur was seen flying in the fields (will this be the year's last butterfly?) As the season continues to change, we'll continue to watch the changing wildlife here at the Nature Center.

October 2, 2009

2009-10-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

Our final Friday bird walk of the season turned up some new discoveries. The highlight might have been a Solitary Sandpiper which was flying upstream along the North Branch and landed on the shore directly in front of six lucky participants, offering clear, close views. Other highlights include an American Woodcock which was flushed out near the community gardens alongside the river. The morning's complete list is shown below:

Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Solitary Sandpiper
American Woodcock
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Common Yellowthoat
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
American Goldfinch

September 25, 2009

2009-09-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

This morning's migration bird walk turned up a number of surprises. You never can know just what to expect! A Winter Wren heard singing from near the community gardens was a first find directly on our property despite the fact that they breed nearby in Hubbard and North Branch River Parks. Other notable sightings include an flyover accipiter (possibly Cooper's Hawk), an immature Bald Eagle, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a White-crowned Sparrow. A complete list is shown below:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Accipiter sp. (Cooper's Hawk?)
Bald Eagle
Rock Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Song Sparrow
White-thoated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
American Goldfinch

September 23, 2009

2009-09-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has been paying attention to butterflies this fall has surely noticed the staggering absence of Monarchs this year. We had one "fly over" mid-day, but haven't managed to tag a Monarch the past three weeks during our Wednesday public tagging days. This has not, however, stopped Monarchs from getting their coverage in the press. You may have seen part 1 of WCAX's "Monarch Moments" (see news for September 10). You can now view part 2 and part 3 of this series which highlights NBNC's tagging efforts. We will hold our last public tagging session on 9/30.

September 11, 2009

2009-09-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

Two participants took part in this mornings birds walk on a cool, misty morning. There was an amazing abundance of Cedar Waxwings, but the big surprise was an American Bittern! This sighting marks only the second time a bittern has been observed on the property. A complete list can be found below:

American Bittern
Rock Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Gray Catbird

September 10, 2009

2009-09-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's Monarch tagging session was, again, failing to turn up the Monarch butterflies which have been sparse this season. Only one Monarch was tagged. The absence of Monarchs hasn't kept them from getting attention from the news media: The tagging demonstration of 9/2 was featured on WCAX! We invite you to view the news story and join us at a future Monarch tagging session.

In some avian-related news, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird has still been seen regularly (including today) feeding at the butterfly garden. A pair of Common Mergansers was also seen flying overhead towards the North Branch.

September 4, 2009

2009-09-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

Eight participants joined our first fall migration bird walk. A thick layer of fog sat in the valley of the North Branch River, but that didn't stop the group from observing a great number of birds. Robins and Waxwings were seen in huge numbers and a nice variety of species overall, including:

Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker*
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
House Wren
Veery
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink
American Goldfinch

*The Red-bellied Woodpecker was heard from a distance. Although uncommon at NBNC, they regularly visit some feeders further down Elm Street, so we are somewhat confident of this identification. Also seen, seperately from the AM bird walk, was an American Woodcock which was flushed from an area near the river.

September 2, 2009

2009-09-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

During our Monarch tagging demonstration, only one Monarch (caught earlier in the day) was tagged and none were seen during the 3:30 - 5:00 window of the program. We did, however, find other butterfly species during our seach for the ellusive Monarchs. Our list included Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur, Atlantis Fritillary, Common Ringlet and Viceroy (the Monarch look-alike pictured on the right).

September 1, 2009

2009-09-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

Today's bizarre sighting was that of four pheasants walking up the path from the parking lot. They walked down the path, within feet of NBNC staff, passed the main building, past the education barn, and down the path by the field towards the river. We presumed that these were escapees. Broad-winged Hawk was hear/seen again today, as well as the very vocal Pileated Woodpecker.

August 31, 2009

2009-08-31T20:03:00.000-07:00

During an outdoor meeting, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was seen cruising over the fields. It began to circle as it crossed over the North Branch, presumably catching some thermals from the hill on the other side of the river, and proceeded towards East Montpelier. A Broad-winged Hawk was also observed flying and calling over the Nature Center. A very vocal Pileated Woodpecker was also heard throughout the day.

August 28, 2009

2009-08-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

NBNC staff tagged our second Monarch butterfly of the season today. The first was tagged on 8/25, and unfortunately, no Monarchs were found during our first public tagging day on Wednesday despite a search for adults and caterpillars on Milkweed. Public tagging days will take place every Wednesday afternoon in September.

July 31, 2009

2009-07-31T20:09:00.000-07:00

It has been apparent to both NBNC staff as well as other members of the community that Monarchs have been strangely absent this summer; That is, up until today. While our summer campers were discovering insects as they hid from raindrops under the broad leaves of milkweed plants, we discovered the first Monarch caterpillar of the season. From its small size, it seemed to be a very young instar. In a few short weeks, when Monarchs begin their southern migration, we will be tagging them to track their progress towards Mexico. A wetter-than-average summer may have hindered butterflies, but this discovery is promising that we may yet have a productive tagging season.

July 30, 2009

2009-07-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

Our summer campers were focused on insects this week, and one of the more interesting discoveries of the week occurred right next to the building! A bizarre-looking caterpillar was discovered walking on one of the paths between the education barn and offices. It was identified as a Paddle Caterpillar, a species considered to be widespread but scarce throughout its range.

July 17, 2009

2009-07-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

During our "Avian Wonders" summer camp, a group of 4-7th graders spent the week learning all about birds. Today, we celebrated the week's end with a 'big day' of birding around Montpelier. The group spotted and (with help) identified an impressive 42 species of birds, including an adult Peregrine Falcon, and immature Bald Eagle and an Osprey being mobbed by blackbirds all at Berlin Pond!

July 9, 2009

2009-07-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

Until today, this summer could be described as cold and wet, but the sun was shining this afternoon as summer camp groups explored the outdoors. A short walk to the beaver ponds produced seven species of damselflies including Ebony Jewelwing, Hagen's Bluet, Marsh Bluet, Sedge Sprite, Aurora Damsel, Eastern Forktail and Fragile Forktail (pictured on the right)

June 22, 2009

2009-06-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

This morning, a bull moose was sighted trotting across the property! All of our summer camp staff were treated to views of the moose with its budding antlers but it was gone by the time campers arrived.

June 19, 2009

2009-06-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Late last week, a female Snapping Turtle was seen laying eggs in a large pile of wood chips outside the community gardens. As might be guessed, this would have caused problems. In addition to the risk of human disturbance, the eggs may have been more susceptible to drying out. We decided that the best course of action would be to relocate the nest. Today, we set out and transferred 29 eggs to a safer place. Snapping Turtles lay there eggs in the spring, and young emerge from nests in the fall. In the meantime, we will be keeping an eye on them.

June 15, 2009

2009-06-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

The ninth and final installment of "Tales of Texas", a chronicle of a field-tech studying the Golden-cheeked Warbler in Texas, is now posted. This special series has been produced through NBNC's Youth Birding Program.

June 11, 2009

2009-06-11T20:19:00.000-07:00

For several weeks, a large, white raptor has been seen along Rt. 12 between the Nature Center and Morrisville. The mystery has finally been solved and the bird has been identified as a luecistic (partial albino) Red-tailed Hawk. Although rare, mutations like this do occur and should be considered in determining an identification. For example, a Snowy Owl in Vermont in June may be an even less likely sighting than an albino Red-tailed Hawk. If you travel Route 12, keep an eye out for this spectacular bird.

June 10, 2009

2009-06-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks the Savannah Sparrows have been very quiet, but they've started singing again from the fields. In the evenings last week, the songs of American Woodcock and Wilson's Snipe were both heard.

June 2, 2009

2009-06-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

A pair of Broad-winged Hawks were seen over the Nature Center this afternoon. About 15 minutes after the initial sighting, one of the hawks was spotted flying in the air with the long, slender body of a snake dangling from its talons.

May 29, 2009

2009-05-29T20:20:00.000-07:00

Four participants braved the rain for our spring migration bird walk, at Hubbard Park this week. The rain, which varied from light to mderately heavy, hampered our efforts to find birds, but dispite the weather we managed to tally 16 species, with the highlight being two male Scarlet Tanagers on one tree! We also explored the many ferns of Hubbard Park, including New York, Christmas, Interrupted, Cinnimon, and Wood Ferns. Our complete bird list can be seen below:

Hairy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Great-crested Flycatcher
Red-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Winter Wren
Veery
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Northern Parula
Ovenbird
Scarlet Tanager

May 27, 2009

2009-05-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

Bobolink have persisted on the property and males can be heard and seen singing as they circle over the fields. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been seen more frequently too, as a pair regularly visits the now-opened lilacs near the main building of the Nature Center. Canadian Tiger Swallowtails are also becoming a more common sight.

May 22, 2009

2009-05-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Our second spring migration bird walk at NBNC turned up a wide variety of birds and some new migrants returning to the area such as Alder Flycatcher and Veery. Ten participants tallied 46 species including Bobolink, which last year only briefly passed through the Nature Center's fields. A full list is shown below:

Hooded Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Alder Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Winter Wren
Veery
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Pine Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch

May 15, 2009

2009-05-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

Participants of our spring migration bird walk, held this morning at Sodom Pond, were treated to a variety or resident birds with highlights including very active Warbling Vireos, very cooperative Wood Ducks and a female Baltimore Oriole constructing a nest. A full bird list form the morning is below:

American Bittern
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Broad-winged Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Gray Catbird
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch

May 14, 2009

2009-05-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

We had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak visit the Red Maple outside the office windows this afternoon. It was joined in the tree by several Yellow-rumped Warbkers, a Yellow Warbler, a Blackburnian Warbler and a Pine Siskin. The year's first Indigo Bunting(male) was also seen around the building in its brilliant, blue breeding plumage. Installment 7 of "Tales of Texas" is now posted for more insight into the life of a field tech studying the Golden-cheeked Warbler.

May 12, 2009

2009-05-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

This morning and afternoon, several Bobolinks(2 male, 1 female) were seen in the fields, perching and singing from bushes and fence posts. Eastern Kingbirds have been returning to Central Vermont and were seen and heard flying overhead at the Nature Center this morning. A Great Crested Flycatcher was also heard from around the building.

May 11, 2009

2009-05-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

An Osprey was seen today flying north along Route 12, parallel to the North Branch of the Winooski River.

May 9, 2009

2009-05-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

As a new twist to this annual competition, in which NBNC has participated since 1999, our team was comprised of 'alumni' youth birders, who have participated in past programs and are now pursuing higher education. For 24-hours, we birded non-stop across Cape May County. Fueled by caffeine and adrenaline, the “North Branch Noddies” managed to see and hear 156 different species of birds during the competition (173 total for the trip), topping their previous year’s total and found more rare and unusual birds than ever before including Black-necked Stilt (pictured right), Mississippi AND Swallow-tailed Kites, White-faced Ibis, two dozen warblers and much more. See our Youth Birding News for a full species list and trip report.

May 8, 2009

2009-05-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

Our second spring migration bird walk took place this morning at Berlin Pond. Some highlights are listed below:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Common Loon
Spotted Sandpiper
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch

May 6, 2009

2009-05-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

A White-crowned Sparrow showed up around the feeder yesterday in the late afternoon, and it was present again this morning. A Brown Thrasher has also been present most of the day, singing loudly from the treetops. Staff and volunteers were also treated to extended views of a Northern Flicker singing from a fence post in the middle of the fields.

May 1, 2009

2009-05-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

Nine participants joined NBNC staff this morning for our first spring bird walk of the season here at NBNC. We had an excellent morning of birding tallying 36 species; our list can be found below:

Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Merlin
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

Also seen today after the bird walk were copulating American Robins, White- and Red-breasted Nuthatches and Pine Siskins.

April 30, 2009

2009-04-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

A very short "scouting" walk around the property yielded the songs of Yellow, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Common Yellowthroat. At lunch, staff were treated to a Broad-winged Hawk calling and circling overhead. Another new arrival is that of female Red-winged Blackbirds (pictured right)! Also, a new installment of "Tales from Texas" is now posted.

April 28, 2009

2009-04-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

A school group went on a trip to monitor Peregrine Falcons in Marshfield today with our Youth Birding Program and managed to see one of the Falcons perched on the cliffs where they nest. Wood Frog egg masses were plentiful on our hike, and other birds such as Yellow-rumped Warbler, Winter Wren and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker were seen and heard.

In other news here at NBNC, we had our first Savannah Sparrow of the season visit the feeder today, and although we have heard Chipping Sparrow for the past week, we saw one perch in a Crab Apple tree near the Center and sing its "chipping" song.

April 22, 2009

2009-04-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

A new installment of Tales from Texas has been posted. We also had a visit from a Pine Warbler today, which briefly perched and sung from the Red Maple outside the office windows. It was our first Warbler of the season!

April 21, 2009

2009-04-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

Our camp group focused on birds today and managed to see 22 species despite the rain! Highlights included a very active Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebes gleaning insects off the water at the beaver pond and a fly by from a Cooper's Hawk.

April 20, 2009

2009-04-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

The first White-throated Sparrow of the season paid a visit to the bird feeder this morning. Wood Frog eggs were observed by our camp group, which was studying amphibians today. They also saw a Spring Peeper and Eastern Newts in the beaver pond!

April 15, 2009

2009-04-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

On another very beautiful, sunny day we've had more signs that winter is gone. A Milbert's Tortoiseshell was seen flying near the Nature Center. Bloodroot and Colt's Foot are in bloom and many green plants are sprouting new growth. Also, a Merlin was heard calling alongside the North Branch of the Winooski River!

April 14, 2009

2009-04-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Tree Swallows have returned to the fields today, and have been seen coming and going from the nest boxes. Eastern Phoebes have also been heard calling from surrounding houses. The male American Goldfinch who continues to visit the feeder has almost fully obtained his breeding plumage and Wood Frog egg masses have been discovered in our small Cattail vernal pool.

April 13, 2009

2009-04-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

A male Purple Finch was seen visiting the feeder today, along with our regulars, which now include Red-winged Blackbirds. Farther down the North Branch River, closer to downtown Montpelier, a beaver has been seen over the past few weeks, including this morning!

A new installment of Tales from Texas is now posted in which Alyssa explores sometimes shaky interactions with the public and poses some interesting issues and misconceptions that can occur when dealing with Golden-cheeked Warblers and their preferred ash juniper habitat.