By Gary Salmon Warm fires and cozy living rooms complete with a decorated Christmas tree are a part of many of our December lives. We look for just the right tree, not too dense to prevent ornament hanging, but just […]
Tag: Birds
Column, The Outside Story
Carolina wrens move north
By Susan Shea I saw a new bird at my feeder last winter. In mid-December, a small, reddish-brown bird with an upturned tail, a white eyebrow-stripe, and a long, slender, down curved bill was on the deck below our feeder. […]
Arts, Dining & Entertainment
Participate in this year’s annual Christmas Bird Count, Jan. 1
Rutland County Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count will take place this year on Jan. 1. Birds spotted within a 7 1/2 mile radius of Mead’s Falls in Center Rutland will be counted by teams of field birders and feeder-watchers in […]
Column, The Outside Story
Yellowthroats: little masked bandits
By Susan Shea “Witchity, witchity, witchity.” I know that common yellowthroats have returned to my neighborhood in spring when I hear that distinctive song. With luck, I’ll glimpse the striking male as he darts about the shrubbery. The common yellowthroat […]
Local News, The Outside Story
Little loudmouths: How tiny animals make so much noise
From early spring through late summer, the air trills and croaks and buzzes and chirps with the sounds of nature’s little loudmouths. Mornings are full of birdsong; evenings are the domain of frogs and crickets. How do such little animals […]
Column, The Outside Story
Sunbathing serves a double purpose for some birds
By Laurie D. Morrissey One cold spring morning, a turkey vulture soared across the sky and landed high in a tree behind my house. I soon noticed another vulture, most likely its mate, in a nearby oak. This one was […]
Events & Activities
Join in for a bird and wildflower walk
Tuesday, April 26, at 7:30 a.m.—POULTNEY—Join in for a slow-paced walk that will allow for observing and photographing. Friendly birders will happily share their knowledge with you. Bring water, a snack, insect repellent, cameras, field guides, and binoculars if you […]
Column, The Outside Story
Birds nest using lichen as camouflage
By Rachel Sargent Mirus Birds use a wonderful variety of materials and techniques to create their nests. Some nests are small and tidy, like grass baskets lined with cozy feathers. Others are large and messily blobbed with mud. Some species […]
Column, The Outside Story
How birds weather winter
By Rebecca Perkins Hanissian Were it not for compelling evidence to the contrary, I’d believe I descended from birds – migratory birds in particular. So familiar to me are the urges and behaviors of migratory birds, I’m pretty sure I […]
Lifestyle
National study adds heat to local bird conservation efforts
By Emma Cotton/VTDigger Local conservationists say they aren’t surprised by a new report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that lists 269 species of birds that need more protection. The report, called Birds of Conservation Concern, lists species in the […]