Photo by Larry Clarfeld
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Nature News Discover what's happening outside around you. Our on-line nature journal is a bit like a blog of natural events. We'll update it often. If you've explored the North Branch Nature Center recently, send us your sightings and we’ll post them here. We’d love to hear from you! May 2 , 2008 Clear skies were welcomed on this cold, May morning for our second Spring Bird Walk, which took place at Berlin Pond. Our list is shown below:
Also seen around Berlin Pond before and after the walk were American Robin, European Starlings, and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Wood Frog Update #2: Starting yesterday, our Wood Frog eggs began to hatch. Although some are still in the eggs, (and their shape can now be seen through the clear, jelly-like eggs) many are now swimming about, dining on boiled lettuce, and other debris in their tank. They sure do grow fast! April 28 , 2008 A large bunch of wet birds have been in-and-out of the large maple outside the office windows. Over a dozen species perched within the maple's branches over the course of the day, including Purple Finch, Chipping Sparrow (first of the year here) and Northern Cardinal. Also, Heather's Womens' Walk on Sunday yielded some nice blooming wildflowers. Trilliums, Bloodroot, Cut-leafed Toothwart, and Meadow Rue (not yet in bloom) were among the botanical treasures that the group encountered. April 25 , 2008 Our first Spring Bird Walk commenced this morning. This first walk of the season took place at the Nature Center, and our group observed:
On another note, with yesterday's Vacation Camp group, we were discussing frogs. The Wood Frogs just recently (this week) began laying their eggs. The group helped start a tank in which we will be rearing the frogs, and we will be posting their progress in development in the Nature News. The first update is from today, at which point not much development has occured. April 24 , 2008 While hiking with our camp group, we came upon a Spring Azure, the third butterfly species of the year! On Monday, Cabbage Whites were seen around the center, and several other Milbert's Tortiseshells have been seen over the last two weeks. April 18 , 2008 An early morning trip to Berlin Pond yielded a Bald Eagle, Rusty Blackbird, and American Bittern, to name a few of the highlights! Later in the morning a hike around the property yielded Ruffed Grouse drumming, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers hammering, and Flickers searching the field. A Palm Warbler also showed up by the river. April 16 , 2008
April 9 , 2008 A warm-weatherd ski to the Marshfield Cliffs, to monitor Peregrines turned up two falcons, who exhibited nesting behaviors. It also turned up a pair of Great-blue Herons, which perched atop the cliffs! Golden-crowned Kinglets and Brown Creepers were heard singing throughout the day. April 8 , 2008 Our first butterfly of the year, a Milbert's Tortoiseshell, was spotted sunning itself on the building today. NBNC staff also enjoyed lunch outside for the first time this year, soaking up the sun's rays. During lunch, a pair of Ravens cruised accross the fields, and Song Sparrow's and Red-winged Blackbirds sung for us as we ate. April 7 , 2008 Spring is an exciting time to be a nature enthusiast. Every day seems to bring a new surprise. Today, at NBNC, we were greeted by our first Savannah Sparrow and our first Common Grackle of the year! What new arrivals have you seen lately? Let us know and we'll post your observations!
Photo by Larry Clarfeld March 31, 2008 The first Song Sparrow's of the year visited the bird feeders this morning. Larry also saw his first Great Blue Heron of the year in Winooski. Other avian visitors today have been the usual mob of Chickadees, a Tufted Titmouse, American Crows, and an American Tree Sparrow. On other spring-time notes, Larry saw a barrage of invertebrates in Winooski yesterday, including moths, stoneflies, and spiders. March 27, 2008 The Amphibian Monitoring Program has been in the press yet again! Click here to read the piece which appeared in the Burlington Free Press today. Also, if you haven't already, try to attend one of our training sessions, and take part in this exciting program. In other news, Common Redpolls were present at the feeders this morning, along with a Red-winged Blackbird, and the usual mass of Chickadees. March 26, 2008 The talk of the town today was certainly the Great Gray Owl, which made an appearance in Burlington yesterday, and which Larry was lucky enough to see. This is, however, a sign of the troubled times faced by owls after a long winter. NBNC has been receiving calls regularly about dead or sickly owls. Fortunately, the harshness of winter is coming to an end. Other bird sightings made by Larry yesterday include a Killdeer near Warren, a Turkey Vulture near the town of Middlesex, a Barred Owl in Wocester, and a Northern Shrike on Rt. 12 between Wocester and the Nature Center. March 20, 2008 Happy first day of spring, on a very un-spring-like day. The upcoming Montpelier BioBlitz was featured in a column in the Burlington Free Press today. Click here to check it out! March 12, 2008 We received our first visit from Red-winged Blackbirds here at NBNC, with a flock of eight descending into the trees. We also received a visit to our feeders from an American Goldfinch, the first appearance from one of those in a number of months. March 10, 2008 The clocks have turned back, and it feels more spring-like every day. With the return of Red-winged Blackbirds being reported from throughout the state (Larry observed about 20 in South Burlington) there is no doubt that spring is right around the corner. The return of migrants and emergence of hibernators is exciting, and is a great way for us to track the changing seasons here at NBNC. March 7 , 2008 It is starting to feel like spring is right around the corner. Cluster Flies are waking from their dormancy from around the Nature Center and sunning themselves in the mild warmth. Also, yesterday, Chip spotted a Common Merganser on the North Branch. February 16 , 2008 What a marvelous day for the Great Backyard Bird Count! Sightings included the following: At South Hero there were a large flock (130+) European Starlings, a few House Sparrows, and a Rock Dove. At the Grand Isle ferry landing there were 25 Common Mergansers and a few Herring Gulls. At a feeder in Grand Isle there were Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Mourning Doves, and a pair of House Finches, and a Hairy Woodpecker. By Winooski High School there were large mixed flocks of American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, and at least one Bohemian Waxwing. At Technology Park in South Burlington there was a flock of about 30 Pine Grosbeaks. Also seen were American Crows throughout the day, and a Red-tailed Hawk and a Great Black-backed Gull on the Islands. February 6 , 2008 The snow didn't stop NBNC staff from making some interesting observations today. Larry spotted a flock of 10-15 Pine Grosbeaks on the corner of Bailey Ave and State St, feeding on berries. Chip spotted a winter crane fly resting on the snow. And Sandal spotted a firefly larvae, also resting atop the plentiful snow. Also keep your eyes out for "snow fleas", which are actually springtails, for they too are insects that can be found on warm winter days when carpets of snow still cover the ground. January 30, 2008 Today has brought some wild weather, from rain to sleet to snow. A small group of crows has been hanging around the Nature Center, searching the field for scraps from the Ice on Fire celebration this past Sunday. We're glad the weather waited until after the weekend to put on its show! January 23, 2008 While scouting a trail for the full moon snowshoe hike, Sandal and Heather stumbled upon fresh beaver clippings resting on the snow's surface. This is among the many signs you may come across during these cold winter months which remind us that some animals in Vermont remain active all winter long. January 21, 2008 A group of intrepid teens enjoyed a day of birding in the Champlain Valley today, and made some exciting observations. Highlights included a flock of Bluebirds near the Crown Point Bridge in Addison, a Rough-legged Hawk off rt-117 in Addison. In the Shelburne Bay area, two Common Loons were sighted, along with several Horned Grebes. Perhaps the most notable observation was that of a juvenile Northern Shrike, which was caching pieces of meat in the tree branches. What a gift it was to see! Next teen birding program: Great Backyard Bird Count. January 16, 2008 Bright sunny skies are always enjoyed here at the Nature Center. In addition to the mobs of Chickadees at our birdfeeders, a pair of Mallards was seen on the river. January 15, 2008 Participants of our astronomy program braved cold temperatures and peered through thin clouds to observe the constilations of winter, the craters of the moon, and the red glow of Mars. January 14, 2008 Plainfield Christmas Bird Count Results Twelve teams, totaling 29 participants participated in this year's Plainfield Christmas Bird Count, recording 4855 birds of 36 species. Some highlights include 12 American Robins, 40 Northern Cardinals, and 412 Bohemian Waxwings (all record high counts for the Plainfield CBC). Along with Bohemian Waxwings, Pine Grosbeaks were also seen in greater-than-usual numbers, indicating the major irruption of these northern species this winter. Lower-than-usual numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglets and Red-breasted Nuthatches were reported this year. The complete results of the Plainfield CBC are shown below:
Also seen Count Week were Carolina Wren and Snow Bunting. January 8, 2008 Nature News is back, after a short winter hiatus! It feels more like March than January today, and the animals feel it too! A Wooly Bear caterpillar was found walking atop the snow around the Nature Center today. It will be quite disappointed when the thaw ends, and it has to go back into hiding for several more months! For News Prior to 1/1/08: Click Here
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