The results are in!

A few weeks ago, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science hosted a Great Backyard Bird Count event. For two days, birds were counted in a specific location every 15 minutes for four hours. Members of the public helped VINS staff keep an eye out — with the use of binoculars and telescopes — and tally…

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Woodpecker Love

The two hairy woodpeckers — a male and a female — seen below being held by VINS staff, were both brought to VINS for care.  Watch a video of these woodpeckers’ release! VINS staff Calah Beckwith (left) and Lauren DiBiccari, each hold a hairy woodpecker, ready to be released. While the birds were brought in…

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Thank goodness for big ears!

This barred owl received care at VINS after being struck by a car. When examined, staff found that the raptor sustained damage to one of his eyes, which can spell trouble for a bird who uses his vision for nighttime hunting. VINS President John Dolan releases a rehabilitated barred owl back into the wild. Watch…

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Feb. 17 & 18: Great Backyard Bird Count

Enjoy watching birds at your feeders? Want to learn more about helping the birds in your community? Then put your bird watching skills to work at VINS as we participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count, February 17 & 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This special event is included with the price of admissions…

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The Coop Hawk Blues

This cooper’s hawk flew smack into a window yesterday, and despite breaking no bones, he managed to damage his central nervous system, and is unable to stand. He does have sensation in his legs and feet, and is able to move his legs, he just can’t stand up on them. We‘re holding out hope that…

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Do the Crow Jig

This American crow — who came to VINS with a swollen head and bleeding from her mouth, her eyes, and her nares (nostrils) — is on the road to recovery. We believe the bird was struck by a car, based on her injuries. While the crow is now partially blind in one eye, her spirits…

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Mirror, mirror on the wall…

Who’s the fairest dove of them all?This mourning dove is admiring his fine self in the mirror we’ve put in his enclosure. Currently receiving treatment for frostbitten feet, the dove is residing in a small enclosure where he is easily handled for medications and treatment. However, as you may well know, mourning doves are flock animals,…

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Rock it, little redpoll!

A female common redpoll came into care in early December after being attacked by a cat. She was brought to VINS when a woman found her on the ground, unable to fly. The bird was missing her tail feathers, some wing feathers, and had damage to her left wing. Watch a video of this redpoll’s…

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Good News for Red-Tail

Remember the red-tailed hawk we recently had in our flight cage? Well he’s out of the flight cage and back in the wild! Watch a video of the hawk’s release! While the hawk came to us with eye damage, the staff of the VINS rehabilitation department was able to get this bird back into top…

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Up Close with a Raven

Checking the mouth for signs of blood and overall hydration. Each bird that comes to VINS for care receives a full exam upon arrival. We check everything: eyes, ears, nares (nostrils), legs, wings, body, and more.  Watch a video of this raven’s exam. Yesterday, we received an injured raven who had been seen hopping around…

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