Posts by jbird24
The Intrepid Duck
This young mallard duck came into our care in early August after a woman found him sitting listless in the middle of a road. She brought the bird to VINS for help. Upon examination, we found the juvenile duck to be thin, weak, and suffering from head trauma (evident by the blood leaking from one of…
Read MoreVolunteers Bid Robins, Catbird Farewell
The baby bird season here at VINS — in which we take in injured and orphaned baby birds and care for them — is coming to a quick close. Most birds in Vermont have finished breeding and some have even hit the road south. VINS baby bird feeders begin releasing a group of robins. Watch…
Read MoreDown the Hatch
VINS interns Calah Beckwith (left) and Lauren DiBiccari tend to a robin. This young American robin took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up under a car at a local car dealership. We believe the robin struck a window or building, sustaining damage to his central nervous system resulting in a lack of leg use.…
Read MoreWildness Defined
This beautiful red-tailed hawk is currently receiving care at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. She was found sitting in a road, not flying away when approached; we suspect she was struck by a car. Upon examination, we found no fractures or open wounds on the bird, but we did find she was suffering from…
Read MoreWild Youth
Two American robins fly out of a box and into the wild. Earlier this week, a whole crew of juvenile songbirds — raised from nestlings to fledglings here at VINS — were released back into the wild. Some of the young birds had been orphaned, while others came in after being attacked by pet cats…
Read MoreKingfisher: All Grown Up
Remember that nestling belted kingfisher who came into our care about a month ago? Well, she’s all grown up! Watch a video of the kingfisher taking one of her first flights. This kingfisher, found orphaned at the bottom of a sandpit, was raised by staff at VINS, who fed her fish (and the occasional chopped…
Read MoreRelease of the Mallards
Two ducklings came into our care a month ago, orphaned after their mother and siblings were struck dead by a car. We raised the ducklings here at VINS, taking special care not to imprint the young waterfowl. The two birds were ready for release last week, and VINS intern Lauren DiBicarri sent these guys back…
Read MoreBye-bye, bittern!
Earlier this month, a funny-looking, long-legged bird came into our care. The baby bird was found standing alone on a busy road, with no parents around. We raised the bird here at VINS, and today, we released this fellow back into the wild.This is an American bittern, although as a baby, some may say it…
Read MoreKingfisher Finds Her Groove
This young baby belted kingfisher, who you may have seen as a baby on the VINS Facebook page, is growing big and healthy. Watch a video of this kingfisher! The baby bird was found at the bottom of a sand pit. Luckily, a man noticed movement at the bottom of the pit, and when he…
Read MoreFlicker Grand Finale
Remember that crew of northern flickers we were raising here at VINS? Well, they’re outta here! The flickers were released back into the wild recently. Watch a video of the birds’ release. Unfortunately, not all of the flickers who originally came in made it — some passed away while still quite young — but those…
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