Nature Blog

Bringing Birders Together: The Great Backyard Bird Count!

By Anna Autilio Lead Environmental Educator In 2018, we mark the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the most powerful and important bird-protection law ever passed. In honor of this milestone, nature lovers around the world are joining forces to celebrate 2018 as the “Year of the Bird.” February’s call to action is participation in…

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Celebrate the Migratory Bird Treaty Act! #YearoftheBird

by Anna Autilio Lead Environmental Educator 2018 is the Year of the Bird, and the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. What is the MBTA and why is it still relevant? When walking through the woods, it’s not uncommon to find a gorgeous feather lying on the ground. The iridescent plume seems like…

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Winter Storm: Snowy Owl

by Anna Autilio Lead, Environmental Educator VINS Ambassador “Snowy” – Allegra Boverman Winter has barely begun, and it is already shaping up to be another Snowy Owl irruption year! These stunning, mysterious arctic visitors will find themselves looking farther than usual for a wide, expanse of hunting ground to pass the winter, delighting those of…

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What’s That Caterpillar?

By Anna Autilio Lead, Environmental Educator If you’ve been seeing as many caterpillars lately as we have, you’re probably curious about who they are and what they’re up to. Below you’ll find a peek into the life history of five common caterpillars seen around the VINS campus this September. How many of these have you…

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A Hawk Hullabaloo and a Barred Owl Bonanza

At the Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation, we serve myriad bird orders: raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds….the list goes on. However, each season brings us a new “assortment” of avian patients. During the spring and summer months, we are inundated with baby birds, mostly of the songbird variety, but we also see a number of…

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