March 31, 2008

The first Song Sparrow's of the year visited the bird feeders this morning. Larry also saw his first Great Blue Heron of the year in Winooski. Other avian visitors today have been the usual mob of Chickadees, a Tufted Titmouse, American Crows, and an American Tree Sparrow.

On other spring-time notes, Larry saw a barrage of invertebrates in Winooski yesterday, including moths, stoneflies, and spiders.

March 27, 2008

The Amphibian Monitoring Program has been in the press yet again! Click here to read the piece which appeared in the Burlington Free Press today. Also, if you haven't already, try to attend one of our training sessions, and take part in this exciting program.

In other news, Common Redpolls were present at the feeders this morning, along with a Red-winged Blackbird, and the usual mass of Chickadees.

March 26, 2008

The talk of the town today was certainly the Great Gray Owl, which made an appearance in Burlington yesterday, and which Larry was lucky enough to see. This is, however, a sign of the troubled times faced by owls after a long winter. NBNC has been receiving calls regularly about dead or sickly owls. Fortunately, the harshness of winter is coming to an end.

Other bird sightings made by Larry yesterday include a Killdeer near Warren, a Turkey Vulture near the town of Middlesex, a Barred Owl in Wocester, and a Northern Shrike on Rt. 12 between Wocester and the Nature Center.

March 20, 2008

Happy first day of spring, on a very un-spring-like day. The upcoming Montpelier BioBlitz was featured in a column in the Burlington Free Press today. Click here to check it out!

March 12, 2008

We received our first visit from Red-winged Blackbirds here at NBNC, with a flock of eight descending into the trees. We also received a visit to our feeders from an American Goldfinch, the first appearance from one of those in a number of months.

March 10, 2008

The clocks have turned back, and it feels more spring-like every day. With the return of Red-winged Blackbirds being reported from throughout the state (Larry observed about 20 in South Burlington) there is no doubt that spring is right around the corner. The return of migrants and emergence of hibernators is exciting, and is a great way for us to track the changing seasons here at NBNC.

March 7 , 2008

It is starting to feel like spring is right around the corner. Cluster Flies are waking from their dormancy from around the Nature Center and sunning themselves in the mild warmth. Also, yesterday, Chip spotted a Common Merganser on the North Branch.