Posts by Vermont Center for Ecostudies 
Whip-poor-will Fever
I remember naively thinking it would be easy to detect a Whip-poor-will singing, with its distinctive sound. It turns out it’s not easy at all! Despite the formidable odds, I joined my colleague Sarah Carline to cross the state in search of the elusive Whip-poor-will. Read about our great adventure.
VCE begins migratory-bird conservation project in the Dominican Republic
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies announced today that it has received funding from a Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act grant to complete a strategic conservation plan for Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, one of the largest and most biodiverse areas in the West Indies and a critical wintering site for Bicknell’s Thrush.
A Mountain Birdwatch Adventure in the White Mountains
Kirsti Carr, VCE’s UVM Intern, and Nate Launer, VCE’s Alexander Dickey Conservation Intern, recently surveyed two Mountain Birdwatch routes in the White Mountains. Read about their adventures.
Outdoor Radio: Moth Watching
Attracting, photographing, and identifying moths is a fun family activity. All you need are some lights and a sheet! Biologists Sara Zahendra and Kent McFarland went out into Kent’s backyard watch moths and talk about the important role they play with naturalist JoAnn Russo.
Saving a Loon’s Life
The phone rang on Friday afternoon and VCE loon biologist Eric Hanson had just received word of a loon entangled by fishing line. I was full of excitement; this would be my first time taking part in a loon rescue, an opportunity I hoped would present itself during my summer as VCE’s Alexander Dickey Conservation Intern.
A Field Guide to July 2017
The avian breeding season is winding down. Even a few southbound shorebirds will trickle through the region this month on their “fall” migration. But as the dawn bird chorus now fades from northern woodlands, fields and wetlands erupt in the sparkle and drama of summer insects. Here’s a short guide to some of July’s lesser known natural history.
A Mountain Birdwatch Adventure on Styles Peak
Styles Peak is a little-known mountain that is dwarfed by its more popular neighbor, Peru Peak. Yet hiking this survey route was quite pleasant and awarded me with its own unique experiences that make it just as worthy.
Birds’ Feathers Reveal Their Winter Diet
A study led by VCE biologists and published in The Condor: Ornithological Applications used a new approach for determining what Bobolinks, a declining grassland bird, eat after they head south for the winter—analyzing the carbon compounds in their plumage, which are determined by the types of plants the birds consume while growing their feathers during their winter molt. Learn more…
Give Nesting Loons Space
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies is asking boaters and anglers to give loons a hand this summer by enjoying them from a safe distance. Learn more…
The Trials and Tribulations of the Lake Fairlee Loons
For the second consecutive year, Common Loons are nesting on Lake Fairlee. Unfortunately, this year the loons built their nest on Treasure Island, part of Thetford’s town beach and picnic area, just in time for the season opening. Learn how management was ready to save the day.
VCE Birdathon 2017: Every Bird Counts
On May 25, 2017, the VCE’s birding team, the Green Mountain Goatsuckers, will migrate to the southern Maine coast for our 24-hour birdathon blitz. Your support helps create a better future for biodiversity.
Help Us Discover Whip-poor-wills
Looking for something fun to do this spring and summer? Why not try night birding! Do you have an hour or so to spare for Eastern Whip-poor-wills in May or June? For years, some of our courageous volunteers have surveyed Whip-poor-will routes across Vermont on moonlit nights, but we need a few more adventuresome volunteers.
