Training Time
By Katie ChristmanVINS Education Intern Have you ever wondered what it takes to get a dog to fetch, your kids to pick up their dirty laundry, or VINS’ birds to fly in our educational programs? Well it has to do with some positive reinforcement, a lot of patience, and a willing subject. In the photo,…
A Webbed Farewell
It’s not all forest-loving birds sporting talons and sharp beaks here: sometimes patients come to VINS fresh from the shore on webbed feet. In late September, the Wildlife Services department welcomed a ring-billed gull into its care. The bird was found sitting in the middle of the road in St. Albans, VT. In the photo,…
A Day in the Life of an Ed Intern
By Katie ChristmanVINS Education Intern I’m typing this from my cubicle with a recycled corn husk desk, books on birds scattered everywhere and owl pellets to my left. From my window at VINS, I have the best view from any cubicle space that I have ever had. The meadow, full of asters, faded goldenrod and…
Small & Sweet
Sometimes the patients that come to VINS are small. And sometimes, they are unbelievably small! Black-capped chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets and American goldfinches are in the “small” range. But ruby-throated hummingbirds blow all other birds out of the water with their tiny, tiny, tiny size. Watch a video of this hummingbird having her wing wrap removed.…
Local Oil Spill
A local ring-billed gull can likely empathize with the oil-drenched birds rescued from the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of BP’s huge spill. But this gull was rescued from a much smaller slick. Watch a video of this gull receiving a bath. A restaurant’s cooking oil was left out behind the establishment and attracted…
A Bird’s Best Friend
VINS’ volunteer carpenter, Peter Mitchell, has done it again. He’s volunteered his hard work and time to build us brand new enclosures for our wild bird patients. His dedication to making Wildlife Services, our rehabilitation department, the best it can be has made him a bird’s best friend (and ours, too!) This spring, Peter constructed…
As the borers approach, should we cut the ash?
By Chuck Wooster for “The Outside Story“Illustration by Adelaide Tyrol Early May is a gut-wrenching time for those of us who love ash. The trees take their time leafing out, appearing stone-cold dead for weeks after the maples have flowered and put on their fine show. Even the recalcitrant oak comes to life before the…
Three’s Company
Well looky here! Three gangly baby ravens that squawk like wild monkeys have made their way to VINS for care. Watch a video of these giant babies in action! A few days ago, loggers in Danville, VT cut down a tree, not knowing a raven’s nest full of three babies rested upon the high branches.…
A Low Heart & A Common Loon
Recently I hosted a party at my home, and the conversation and laughter that had been going full-bore came to a dead halt when we heard something we hadn’t heard in quite a long time. A common loon called from the lake across the street from my home. We silenced ourselves to be sure we…
Stinky… but important!
Turkey vultures are stinky birds. Not only do they eat old, rotting carcasses (by choice!), they throw up as a defense mechanism. And if you’ve never smelled turkey vulture vomit, let me tell you it will curl your hair and send you running for the hills. They even defecate on their own legs to keep…
