Posts by Kent McFarland 
August 2019 Photo-observation of the Month
Congratulations to JoAnne Russo for winning the August 2019 Vermont Atlas of Life iNaturalist photo-observation of the month. JoAnne captured this Scudder’s Bush Katydid (Genus Scudderia) in the act of molting under a milkweed leaf.
A Field Guide to July 2019
As the dawn bird chorus now fades from northern forests, summer erupts in the sparkle and drama of insects. Here’s a short guide to some of July’s lesser known natural history.
300,000 Observations and Counting!
When Sean Beckett swung his net at a dragonfly yesterday in Peacham Bog, he made history. His observation was the 300,000th for the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist.
May 2019 Photo-observation of the Month
Congratulations to Charlotte Bill for winning the May 2019 Vermont Atlas of Life iNaturalist photo-observation of the month. Charlotte wrote that “…it had just captured a small morsel and was in the process…
Field Guide to June 2019
Here in Vermont, we dream of June during the darkest winter days. It’s days last forever. Here’s just a few of the natural history wonders for the month.
Outdoor Radio: The Buzz in Your Backyard
We all recognize bumble bees buzzing about or honey bees foraging among flowers, but did you know there are more than 300 species of wild bees living in Vermont? These…
Field Guide to May 2019
The month of May is a show-off. Woodland wildflowers break out of the ground. Trees flower and leaves burst. Birds arrive on southern winds with song. May shouts of life and rejuvenation. Here’s a few bits of natural history for your May days.
April 2019 Photo-observation of the Month
Congratulations to Ashley Bray for winning the April 2019 Vermont Atlas of Life iNaturalist photo-observation of the month. The image of Wood Frog riding a Spotted Salamander during spring migration garnered the most votes….
Outdoor Radio: Visiting Stark’s Winter Den
In this month’s episode of Outdoor Radio, Kent McFarland and Sara Zahendra join the team of biologists from Vermont Fish and Wildlife and the Green Mountain National Forest to visit the winter den of one male bear, nicknamed Stark, so that they can replace the GPS collar that tracks his movements.
Get the Buzz on the New Vermont Wild Bee Survey
The Vermont Wild Bee Survey represents the first steps towards understanding the status and biogeography of these key elements of Vermont’s natural heritage. Learn more and consider joining in the effort!
Outdoor Radio: Searching for the Elusive American Marten
In this month’s episode of Outdoor Radio, we join three biologists that work with American Marten conservation and recovery as we travel by car, snowmobile, and snowshoes deep into the southern Green Mountains in search of this rare predator.
My Fair Lady Beetle
Since at least the 1980s, native Lady Beetles that were once very common across the Northeast have become rare or have even gone missing. Learn more about Vermont lady beetles and help us find them.
