Look 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…
The Buzzard Blues
One of the blessings of being an educational bird at VINS is free and instant healthcare from the staff. Sure, it must be great to have a cozy, predator-proof enclosure and daily hunt-free meals, but the medical attention from the rehabilitation staff — who are on-site 7 days a week, 365 days a year —…
Turning the Tide on Invasive Species
If you take a walk through the woods or fields around your home you may encounter plants that don’t belong. In many of our local communities, these invasive species are quietly out-competing native species. In the picture below, someone is using a weed wrench to remove some of these unwanted visitors. The diversity of…
Truly Heartwarming
We definitely have our share of wonderful moments here in the Wildlife Services Department at VINS. This was honestly one of the most heartwarming of those moments so far this spring. A young tree swallow came into our care just four days ago after being found disoriented in the road in Weathersfield, VT. At first,…
On the Lookout
A recent sunny afternoon found me standing along the edge of one of Vermont’s back roads looking at a field being taken over by black swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum). This invasive species (pictured below) can form extensive patches of dense plants that crowd out native plants. Sobering as the scene was, I felt good knowing that…
What a gem
First step. First word. First love. “Firsts” are always exciting. On May 14th, 2011, VINS wildlife staff had one of those special moments when we had our first successful release of a hummingbird that came through the VINS wildlife rehab center in 2011. See a video here of this little guy returning to the wild.…
In Its Own Good Time
With spring just days away, it’s a joy to see the earth transition into yet another season… in its own good time. The warmer March temperatures mixing with the cold Vermont earth make for some interesting sightings. Softer snow means that birds and other critters can be tracked quite easily. And snow melting off our…
Luck Be a MODO Tonight
This mourning dove is one lucky guy. Based on the nature of his injuries, we suspect he was attacked by a cooper’s hawk or similar bird, but managed to escape. See a video of this dove’s treatment. The mourning dove (or “MODO,” as abbreviated in the bird world) was found hiding out in a garage,…
This Is How It’s Done
With so many barred owls in critical condition here in Wildlife Services, it is especially rewarding when one is ready to be released into the wild. One such owl was released at a local school last week after spending almost three months in our care! Watch a video of this owl’s silent flight here. This…
Avian Rehabilitation Workshops at VINS
If you are working toward your rehabilitation license or preparing to begin earning your license, VINS is hosting a series of workshops geared toward avian rehabilitation. The classes include a presentation and hands-on lab led by longtime Vermont avian rehabilitator Allison Stark. This workshop series, which includes six courses beginning Jan. 22 and running through…
