Exploring Vermont’s Wildlife: Field Research Updates

Brook Trout

Trout in the Classroom: Raising Brook Trout

VINS recently received approximately 100 Brook Trout eggs from the Roxbury Fish Culture Station, continuing our commitment to the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program. This environmental education initiative allows students to raise brook trout from eggs, ultimately releasing them into state-approved streams. We’re proud to collaborate with schools across Vermont to support this hands-on learning experience, and we’re excited to have our own trout right here at VINS!

Red-tailed Hawk

Riding with Researchers: A Successful Hawk Banding Adventure

Our recent Riding with Researchers event culminated in capturing a magnificent adult Red-tailed Hawk in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Participants gained an intimate look at the banding process, observing detailed measurements including weight, wing, and tail. The bird was tagged with band number 2187-24211, contributing to our ongoing research and conservation efforts.

Hannah

Welcome Hannah Mahar: Our Newest ECO AmeriCorps Member

We’re excited to introduce Hannah Mahar, our latest ECO AmeriCorps team member. With previous experience as the Lead counter at Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch in Pennsylvania and a Project Coordinator for Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, Hannah brings valuable expertise to our organization. She will be coordinating community science projects and assisting with our banding efforts throughout the year.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl Acoustic Monitoring

With recent trends indicating a decline in Northern Saw-whet Owl populations across their range, we are launching a pilot project to detect breeding pairs in the state. In January, we deployed the first of several Acoustic Recording Units (ARUs) at West Rutland Marsh — a site with a history of successful breeding, including a pair nesting in a box near the road as recently as 2016, along with numerous sightings since.

By using ARUs, we aim to detect their presence and identify potential breeding pairs at key sites statewide. Our long-term goal is to install nest boxes to enhance monitoring of nesting success. Future ARU deployment sites include Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, North Branch Nature Center, and VINS, with installations planned over the next couple of months—just in time for the start of the breeding season, which can begin as early as February.

This project will complement our fall banding efforts, providing a more comprehensive understanding of Saw-whet populations throughout the year. Additionally, our data will contribute to the State Wildlife Action Plan, as the species is under consideration for inclusion in the next round of updates.

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