The VCE Blog

Browse the Blog

VCE Staff “Bird in Place” for Backyard Bird Quest 2020

June 3, 2020  |  Chris Rimmer

VCE’s annual Birdathon took on a new form this spring, as the Green Mountain Goatsuckers “birded in place” for Backyard Bird Quest 2020. Sallying forth individually from our home bases—some even outside Vermont—we collectively found 134 species during the day, raising crucial funds for VCE’s wildlife conservation work.

Vermont Lady Beetle Atlas Finds Lost Species

June 2, 2020  |  Kent McFarland

Support Kent McFarland’s research and the Vermont Atlas of Life by making a donation to Vermont Center for Ecostudies! Learn about other ways to support VCE here. On May 15th the…

Field Guide to June

June 2, 2020  |  Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Here in Vermont, we dream of June during the darkest winter days. Its days last forever. Here’s just a few of the natural history wonders for the month.

May 2020 Photo-observation of the Month

June 1, 2020  |  Kent McFarland

Congratulation to Kyle Tansley for winning the May 2020 Photo-observation of the Month. He captured this American Mink moving her kits from one den to another.

VCE Spirits Remain High: COVID Update for May

May 5, 2020  |  Chris Rimmer

VCE staff may not be physically together, but our spirits remain high as we continue working hard on behalf of wildlife and eagerly anticipate our approaching field season.

Field Guide to May 2020

May 4, 2020  |  Vermont Center for Ecostudies

The month of May is a show-off. Grass glows green under blue skies. Woodland wildflowers break out of the ground and demand attention. Trees flower and leaves burst from long-dormant buds. Songbirds arrive on southern night winds and liven the dawn with a chorus of song. May shouts of life and rejuvenation. Here’s a few bits of natural history for your May days.

From Panama to the Arctic, a New eButterfly Takes Flight

May 4, 2020  |  Kent McFarland

An international team of biologists and software engineers, including VCE’s Vermont Atlas of Life, has collaborated on an ambitious expansion of the eButterfly platform, offering scientists and naturalists powerful new tools to track and help conserve butterflies from Central America to the far reaches of the Arctic.

Outdoor Radio: Red-winged Blackbirds Signal the Arrival of Spring

May 4, 2020  |  Vermont Center for Ecostudies

In this episode of Outdoor Radio, on a cold spring day as they listen to songs and calls of male Red-winged Blackbirds setting up and guarding their breeding territories. Learn about their interesting mating system and other natural history and then get out and watch them near you.

April 2020 Photo-observation of the Month: American Woodcock

May 1, 2020  |  Kent McFarland

Congratulations to Roy Pilcher for winning the April 2020 Vermont Atlas of Life iNaturalist photo-observation of the month.

Join the Vermont Spring Backyard BioBlitz on iNaturalist

April 16, 2020  |  Kent McFarland

Discover the natural world right at home! Though we may be physically distanced this season, we’re still a united community of curious nature lovers and naturalists. From April 20th through May 20th, we invite you to join the Vermont Spring Backyard BioBlitz!

Discover the Bees in Your Backyard this Spring

April 8, 2020  |  Spencer Hardy

Spencer Hardy, VCE’s Vermont Wild Bee Survey Project Coordinator, shares a video from the field, and how you can get involved in the Vermont Wild Bee Survey.

Ready and Waiting for Grassland Birds

April 3, 2020  |  Liza Morse

VCE’s Grassland Bird Outreach team is ready and waiting for the return of grassland birds this spring.