Posts by jbird24
Climate Change & You
UPDATE : Due to severe weather this event is rescheduled for March 18th, 7:00-8:30. By Ian Miyashiro, VINS Staff The topic of climate change can evoke strong emotions in people. Denial, fear, hope, panic and inspiration are just a few emotions I experience every time I read a report, a magazine or watch one of…
Read MoreA Clear Prognosis
Like wolves, red-tailed hawks seem to have a spirit that’s both majestic and dignified, symbolizing their status of royalty in the wild. Their large size, powerful flap and graceful soar make them a delight to spot for birders and non-birders alike. In early February, the VINS Wildlife Services team received a call about a red-tailed…
Read More1 Blue Jay, 2 Goldfinches, 3 Chickadees…
Take Part in the Great Backyard Bird Count! By Sara Eisenhauer, VINS Wildlife Keeper and Educator Birding is a passion of mine. From early childhood to adulthood, it has never faltered. Hearing the sweet call of the song sparrow in spring or the chattering of a black-capped chickadee in the winter warms my heart. Birding…
Read MoreThe Allure of the Wild
Many people crave a close connection to nature. The allure of wild animals freely roaming the land and the mystery of the deep, dark woods has a strong pull for many. Sometimes, that craving for a deep connection to what is wild takes a troubling turn. Above, the northern cardinal in his mesh enclosure.Watch a…
Read MoreA Little TLC
We all need a little TLC now and again. For one saw-whet owl, TLC came in the form of gentle physical therapy from the trained staff at VINS. In early November, a saw-whet owl was found by a member of the public under a mailbox on the road. It is likely the bird was hit…
Read MoreBack Home
Last month, the Wildlife Services department at VINS approved one of its patients, a barred owl, for release back into the wild. The owl, pictured below during its release, was found by a member of the public in November. The bird came in suffering from head trauma and damage to one of its eyes. The…
Read MoreLooking to the Stars
By Hannah Putnam Environmental Educator In New England, sunny winter days turn into crisp nights with clear skies that are perfect for stargazing. I have been fascinated by the star-filled night sky ever since I was a child. One of the first constellations that I learned to identify was Orion, with his belt of three…
Read MoreNature’s Own Carpenter
There are few birds in Vermont with an appearance as striking as that of the pileated woodpecker. A crow-sized woodpecker, this bird is crowned with a shock of red feathers so bright they seem to glow. When a pileated raises that crest of red feathers, it’s a spectacular sight. In nature, pileateds peck out huge,…
Read MoreMaster the ‘Figure 8’
If you are a licensed rehabilitator, in the process of earning a rehab license, or are a VINS volunteer, please join the VINS Wildlife Services staff at our Workshops for Wildlife Rehabilitators. In this series of seven courses, you’ll learn to perfect a “figure 8” wing wrap, plus much, much more. The series, which begins…
Read MoreA Cruel Act
In the winter, Canada geese leave Vermont for warmer climes where open waters abound. When flocks gather and head south, it’s the injured geese who are left behind. The VINS Wildlife Services department receives many calls in the winter about geese who are by themselves, trudging through snow to find water that hasn’t iced over.…
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