Posts by jbird24
Scientist for a Day: the Great Backyard Bird Count
By Ian MiyashiroEnvironmental Educator Growing up I wanted to be a scientist, traveling around the world studying animals. I ended up being more of a science teacher, but from time to time I get to help with projects that allow me to be a scientist for a day. The 14th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count…
Read MoreWaxwing Poetic
I can’t help but wax poetic when it comes to one of my favorite birds: the bohemian waxwing. Named “bohemian” for their nomadic movements, these northern birds travel in flocks like gypsies from one fruited tree to the next — never staying anywhere long enough to officially establish breeding territories. The “waxwing” part of their…
Read MoreEnjoy Nature in a Meaningful Way: Join a Camp Adventure with VINS
By Amanda CharlandCamp Program Coordinator Just a few weeks ago, my days were full of wolves howling on hilltops, bears lumbering through meadows, and occasionally, the need to dodge stampeding bison. I had the luxury of many amazing experiences in Yellowstone National Park, where I worked as a naturalist guide. There I discovered what John…
Read MoreRed-tail Hawksicle
When we lifted this bird up to examine him late one afternoon last week he was motionless, his feathers caked with snow and ice. He’d been found weak in a snow bank with severe hypothermia, his mate in a nearby tree. Have you been following his story on Facebook? We immediately got to work thawing…
Read MoreWhat’s With The Tail?
Last week a Cooper’s hawk was brought to Wildlife Services after she hit a window on a dairy farm. After its examination it was determined to be emaciated and a bit bloodied from the collision. She was given vitamins and a fluid diet to treat the emaciation.Her size and coloring indicate that she is a…
Read MoreHalf-a-Wing Shy
This northern saw-whet owl — who came to VINS with a fracture in his left wing complete with nerve damage — has had quite a row to hoe during his recovery here at VINS. See a video of the owl getting his stitches removed. You may recall this little fella from an earlier post on…
Read MoreOwl Release at Winter Carnival
One by one the barred owl patients in Wildlife Services are recovering from their vehicle collision injuries. On Saturday, visitors at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science were treated to an owl release as part of the day’s Winter Carnival festivities. Watch a video of Saturday’s release here. Snow was falling as VINS Wildlife Services…
Read MoreLook For It Now: Common Redpoll
If you’ve got feeders up this time of year, it’s not unusual to see flashes of pink and red in the feathers of your regular visitors. Purple finches and northern cardinals give the white winter landscape of Vermont some much-needed color. But don’t assume that these birds are the only ones with color stopping for…
Read MoreHairy vs. Downy Woodpeckers
Today at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science we released a female Hairy Woodpecker that recently recovered from a cat attack. You may see this species at your feeder this winter. But you also may see the Downy woodpecker, which is virtually identical. So how do you tell them apart? Downy Woodpeckers are smaller, averaging…
Read MoreI Shall Be Released
Last month we had a surge of barred owls admitted to wildlife services, each one the result of a car collision. We are happy to report that we have begun to release some of them. Watch a video of the latest barred owl release here. The numbers are in: car collision was the top reason…
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