Posts by jbird24
So long, mergs!
VINS’ Katie Christman releases two mergansers. Remember those two adorable baby mergansers, the orphans from separate nests that were paired up together while they received care here at VINS? Well, guess what? Those little babies are now all grown up and were just released back into the wild (together!) at a local pond. Watch a…
Read MoreMangia, little falcon!
This American kestrel was brought to VINS after being found orphaned in a barn. The kestrel is now a fledgling, but when he came into our care, he was too young to be on his own in the wild, so we took over as Mom and Dad kestrel. Watch a video of this little kestrel…
Read MoreFlicker Fanatics
The VINS Wildlife Services department has become a temporary home to 10 young northern flickers, a type of woodpecker. The birds came from two separate cavity nests, and as you will see in our video, the brood is causing quite a stir! This time of year, a lot of people are getting yard work done,…
Read MoreA Rosy Release
A male rose-breasted grosbeak was admitted as a patient to VINS in mid-May, suffering a fracture in his right wing. Less than 4 weeks later, this songbird left our care in good health. Watch a video of this bird being released! The bird — who had flown into the window of a home — made…
Read MoreSitting in food is fun!
Baby mergansers in their food dish. These two orphaned common mergansers — both from separate clutches from different parts of Vermont — have found sanctuary here at VINS. The mergs were somehow separated from their parents and were unable to be reunited with their families. Watch a video of these baby mergansers! So, we’re taking…
Read MoreBaby Crow, Baby Raven
The babies are rolling in on a steady basis now, with the VINS Wildlife Services department receiving injured and orphaned nestlings and fledglings on a near daily basis. Recently, two young corvids joined us: one crow and one raven. Above, a juvenile crow’s mouth is examined. Watch his full exam and learn more about this…
Read MoreIt’s Great to be Gray
Last month, staff at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) provided health exams to all of the center’s residential birds — from the golden eagles in our raptor exhibits, to our little mourning doves in the songbird exhibit. Our great gray owls — a male and female — both came to VINS after sustaining…
Read MoreFly away, robin!
This American robin flew off into the woods of Vermont — healthy and ready to tackle the insects of spring — after receiving medical care at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). Watch a video of the robin’s release! Above, VINS intern Hannah Goldman prepares to release the robin. The bird came to the…
Read MoreGot Bats?
By Alyssa BennettVT Fish and Wildlife Technician The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) needs help locating summer “house bat” colonies around the state. Vermont’s little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) commonly live in buildings such as attics, barns, and sheds from mid-April to October. Vermont’s hibernating bat populations…
Read MoreLook For It Now: Bellwort & Ginger
The ephemeral wildflowers of Vermont are in their spring glory. The trillium is up and blooming, trout lilies are drooping their yellow heads between speckled leaves, and the bulbous buds of marsh marigolds are opening up their yellow petals. Two less splashy (yet no less wonderful) plants to look for now are sessile bellwort (Uvularia…
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