The Unique Impact of Solar Farms on Grassland Birds
Clear-eyed conversations about where solar development occurs, how impacts are mitigated, and what success looks like for wildlife are essential if we hope to meet our energy goals without losing species that are already in decline.
Pervasive Invasives: The Catch-22 of Grassland Management
In recent years, we’ve learned that delayed haying for bird conservation creates a dilemma. Fields can’t be cut when birds are nesting, but not cutting allows invasive plants to seed and spread freely.
Meet Vermont’s Newest Endangered Species
The latest Vermont Endangered and Threatened species list celebrated the recovery of Bald Eagles and the Canada Black Snakeroot, while five new species and three critical habitats were added. Learn about the newest members of the list that will need our help for their recovery.
Ready and Waiting for Grassland Birds
VCE’s Grassland Bird Outreach team is ready and waiting for the return of grassland birds this spring.
VCE’s Jason Hill Receives High Honor as AOS Elective Member
VCE’s own Jason Hill recently received a high honor from the American Ornithological Society with his election as an Elective Member. Jason’s contributions to ornithology, both in his 5 years at VCE and beforehand, are nothing short of remarkable.
VCE Biologists Discover Migratory Patterns of Two North American Grassland Bird Species
A new VCE study sheds light on the annual movements of two grassland bird species and yields surprising results that may help transform the way we manage grassland bird populations, both across international borders and throughout their annual cycle.
Outdoor Radio: Grassland Ambassadors Help Globetrotting Bobolinks Successfully Nest
In this month’s episode of Outdoor Radio, biologists Kent McFarland and Sara Zahendra join VCE ornithologist Dr. Roz Renfrew on a visit to a farm in South Woodstock where Bobolinks and other grassland birds successfully breed each summer.
Making Room for Meadowlarks
Once a regular summer breeder, Eastern Meadowlarks have been declining across much of New England. So when a pair of meadowlarks was spotted on Miller Farm in southern Vermont, I wasted no time. Paul and Mary Miller agreed to meet with me the next day.
The Balancing Act: a Workshop for Landowners and Land Managers
See Bobolinks up close and learn about managing grasslands to benefit these declining birds 8-10:30 am on Saturday June 3 at 70 Cossingham Rd, Norwich. RSVP: cabbott@vtecostudies.org Spring ushers in…
VCE Awarded 2017 TechGrant
From birds to bumble bees, salamanders to swallowtails, VCE biologists harness the power of technology to help solve complex wildlife conservation issues. A 2017 TechGrant award from the TechFoundation will now enable us to accomplish even more.
Grassland Birds Bring Home the Data
One year ago, some grassland birds became aerial backpackers. Their tiny backpacks acquired and logged GPS locations that have tracked their movements during the past year. Now, the birds have returned to their breeding grounds where it all started and the location data from the entire year were beamed up to Argos satellites and delivered to our laptops at VCE.
Tracking Birds Has Never Been So Easy, Yet So Hard
Even we have to admit that tracking satellite-tagged Upland Sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda), from our smartphones, while we sip coffee, is pretty incredible…and downright easy. So what’s the hard part?
