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January 2018 iNaturalist Vermont Photo-Observation of the Month

February 1, 2018  |  Kent McFarland

Congratulations to Sue Wetmore for winning the January 2018 iNaturalist Vermont photo-observation of the month contest. Her image of a Horned Lark in the snow was the most popular photo-observation. Horned Larks form large…

Field Guide to February 2018

February 1, 2018  |  Kent McFarland

This month, wildlife and the rest of us here in New England will cross a threshold – arbitrary yet not insignificant: 10 hours of daylight. Even though we’ve got lots more winter, we’ve also got change. So here’s a Field Guide to February to help get your hopes up, no matter what that groundhog predicts.

Two birds, One App: VCE’s eBird Workshop Gets Positive Response

January 31, 2018  |  Liza Morse

On a beautiful Sunday in January, twenty-two bird nerds from all over Vermont and New Hampshire forwent the sunshine to learn the ins and outs of eBird, a web and…

Seeking Puerto Rican Birds in the Wake of Hurricane Maria

January 29, 2018  |  Chris Rimmer

After scouring the island of Puerto Rico for Bicknell’s Thrush (BITH) with our partners from Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (SOPI) during the winters of 2015-16 and turning up only 11 birds, VCE figured our work there was largely done. Then Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck this past September.

VCE Kicks Off Year of the Bird with eBird Workshop

January 17, 2018  |  Kent McFarland

Join us on Sunday, January 28th for a special hands-on workshop for learning to use eBird–the website and the app (Android or IOS). The workshop is from 1pm – 3:30pm and is open to the first 30 registered participants.  No prior experience needed! Learn more…

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and bird conservation

January 16, 2018  |  John Lloyd

Recent changes to the interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act threaten to undo decades of success in cooperative bird conservation.

The 2017 Vermont eBird County Quest Awards

January 12, 2018  |  Kent McFarland

From an Eastern Screech Owl in Wilder on January 1st to a Snowy Owl in Bridport on December 31st, Vermont birders scoured fields and fens, mountains and meadows, lakes and lawns to discover as many bird species as possible during the 7th annual Vermont eBird County Quest.

CBC Roundup: The 118th Christmas Bird Count by the Numbers

January 5, 2018  |  Liza Morse

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) season has come to an end and as we warm our frozen extremities and dream of spring birding, it’s time to revel in what has…

VCE Joins more than 80 organizations worldwide to protect birds and their habitats for Year of the Bird in 2018

January 5, 2018  |  Kent McFarland

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, we’re joining forces with…

Field Guide to January 2018

December 30, 2017  |  Kent McFarland

Although the days are slowly growing longer, life in the Northeast now finds itself in the coldest depths of winter. January is about survival. Wildlife that doesn’t migrate adapts instead in order to make it to spring. Here’s a few tidbits of natural history happening outdoors this month around you.

iNaturalist Vermont Builds Biodiversity Big Data in 2017

December 29, 2017  |  Kent McFarland

2017 was a big year for iNaturalist Vermont. We had 1,057 naturalists contribute over 56,250 observations representing more than 3,850 species. Read more about this amazing biodiversity data and the community that helps build it.

The Red Crossbill Enigma

December 20, 2017  |  Kent McFarland

Its finally happening. Red Crossbills are arriving. This year’s bumper cone crop for pine, spruce, larch, and hemlock is perhaps a once in couple-decades event. As a result, crossbills were predicted to flood into the region and birders have been waiting with anticipation.