VINS Nature Blog

My, what a long beak you have.

2012-01-19T14:02:00.006-05:00

Woodpeckers need strong, long beaks to jackhammer their way into trees and get to the insects and sweet sap below the bark. But this downy woodpecker spotted in Hartland, VT? His long beak is grossly oversized.Throughout the United States, biologists are finding birds sporting extra-long beaks. Known as avian keratin disorder, this deformity occurs in numerous species of birds (and

It's all about brumation, baby.

2012-01-12T14:24:00.005-05:00

By Katie ChristmanVINS Education InternTo freeze or not to freeze? That seems to be the plight of many critters in the winter, but for many species of reptiles and amphibians, the decision to freeze or not to freeze can determine whether they make it through our Vermont winters.Being ectothermic species, reptiles and amphibians rely on the outside temperature to control their body temperature,

A Case of Schizochroism

2012-01-06T14:22:00.003-05:00

Who is at this feeder? Could someone's canary have gotten loose?Nope, this lemon-yellow fellow is a good ol' American goldfinch with a case of leucism, a genetic mutation affecting pigmentation. While it's similar to albinism, a leucistic bird maintains some normal coloring. As you can see in the photo, this finch's eyes are not red, but the normal dark brown-black color. Same with his

Duck Gets His Winter On

2012-01-05T11:32:00.008-05:00

Sometimes, you just have to wonder how birds get into the situations we find them in.Watch a video of a duck's return to the wild.This mallard duck, found December 27, was spotted sitting under a ski lift at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, VT. Was he flying past the mountain, and hit wires on the lift? Could he have gotten disoriented, and thought he was landing on a lake? Or was this duck a

Back to the Daily Grind

2011-12-30T13:44:00.003-05:00

The VINS Wildlife Services department has gotten off to a slow start this winter season, with a surprisingly small number of patients in for care as compared to previous years.Watch a video of our red-tailed hawk patient.However, with colder temps and snowfall, we're now seeing patients suffering various ailments come in daily for treatment, which, of course, is not good for the birds, but

Love is in the Air

2011-12-22T16:10:00.005-05:00

Why wait until spring to fall in love when you can now? Great-horned owls wouldn't have it any other way. While the "love" may be questionable, there's no question breeding season for these large raptors is about to get underway.Great-horned owls begin to search for mates in winter, nesting as early as January and February and laying eggs in March and April. Here at the Vermont Institute of

Speak Your Mind on Invasives!

2011-12-21T09:30:00.004-05:00

By Mandy Vellia, OCISMA CoordinatorIn 2002, the Noxious Weed Quarantine was passed by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture to regulate the sale and movement of invasive plants. These non-native plants have proven to be harmful to Vermont’s working lands, natural areas, and waterways. While not all exotic plants are bad, species classified as “invasive” do present a threat to native ecosystems. They

First Barred of the Winter

2011-12-15T14:34:00.008-05:00

The VINS Wildlife Services department received its first barred owl patient of the winter. The owl, found laying in a person's yard in Norwich, VT, was brought in Wednesday for treatment.See a video of the owl. In the photo, VINS intern Hannah Goldman holds the owl as we prepare to give him treatment.Normally by December, VINS is flooded with injured, often starving barred owls. Heavy snow

Ssspecial Resident at VINS

2011-12-02T15:07:00.008-05:00

By Katie Christman VINS Education Intern A sudden case of identity theft has been thrust upon the staff at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (cue the dramatic music). Fortunately for us, our credit cards remain untouched and are bank accounts are secure. Rather, an unsuspecting snake has become the victim of mistaken identity! Take a good look at the snake in both of these pictures,

Look For It Now: Late-autumn meadows

2011-11-18T10:23:00.018-05:00

Late November finds Vermont meadows in their brown and brittle glory. Tall, oat-colored grasses bowing their heads, heavy with seed; wildflowers -- long succumbed to frost -- curled up and gray, readily giving up their remaining seeds to the wind. A friend of mine said recently that early autumn in Vermont -- with its showy display of tourist-attracting red and orange leaves -- gets all the

Duck, Duck…Scoter!

2011-11-07T11:44:00.006-05:00

On November 4th, an adult male scoter was transferred to VINS from rehabilitator Catherine Greenleaf in Lyme, NH. We know the scoter is a male because he is entirely black with a multi-colored bill that looks like candy corn. He also makes pipping and whistling contact calls that are particular to male scoters, and that melt the hearts of the VINS staff! He was originally admitted into rehab

Correction to "Irene's Second Guest at VINS"

2011-11-06T11:29:00.008-05:00

In a previous blog, you read that VINS received a dead oceanic bird the day after Tropical Storm Irene swept through Vermont. The Wildlife Services staff at VINS believed it to be a Wilson’s storm-petrel, but upon further examination, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies determined that it was actually a band-rumped storm-petrel, the first of its kind ever recorded in the New England area! The

The Sharpest of Hawks

2011-11-05T10:58:00.004-04:00

What’s small, fast, and hovers around bird feeders? Surprisingly, it’s not always a blue jay or a finch! Sharp-shinned hawks are the smallest accipiters, a genus of hawks composed of birds of prey that are closely genetically related to one another. Accipiters have short, broad wings and a long narrow tail for fast maneuverability in wooded areas. Other hawks in this genus include Cooper’s

Uh-oh, MODO!

2011-10-28T13:19:00.007-04:00

This little MODO (mourning dove) was brought to the VINS Wildlife Services department earlier this week. He was found roadside in Warren, VT, likely hit by a car.Mourning doves are special birds. Their big brown eye pull you right in; their soothing summer coo will lull you. But don't be fooled by these plump year-round residents. They may look and sound sweet, but when it comes to survival,

The Buzzard Blues

2011-10-20T14:32:00.016-04:00

One of the blessings of being an educational bird at VINS is free and instant healthcare from the staff. Sure, it must be great to have a cozy, predator-proof enclosure and daily hunt-free meals, but the medical attention from the rehabilitation staff -- who are on-site 7 days a week, 365 days a year -- can't be beat. When staff hear the smallest sneeze, see a runny nare (nostril), or spot a

Look For It Now: Wildflowers Seeding Out

2011-10-13T16:43:00.014-04:00

This time of year, the late-summer wildflowers you savored in August and September are seeding out. Some become almost unrecognizable this time of year, having turned the autumnal tones of yellow and brown and replacing showy flower heads with seed pods of all shapes and sizes.You're probably familiar with common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca): a monarch butterfly favorite. Each fall, milkweed's

Goodbye, Hello! Snapping Turtles on the Move

2011-10-07T12:22:00.010-04:00

Every year in June, female snapping turtles crawl out of the Ottauquechee River and Dewey Mill’s Pond and find sandy soil on VINS’ property to make their nests. The female digs a burrow and lays 25-80 eggs in each nest, then covers the nest with more sandy soil to allow the eggs to incubate. Incubation time is temperature-dependent, but the eggs normally hatch from September to October. The

Irene's Second Guest at VINS

2011-10-07T11:49:00.005-04:00

In addition to the northern gannet mentioned in an earlier blog, VINS received a Wilson’s storm petrel the day after Tropical Storm Irene blew through Vermont. The Wilson’s storm petrel was dead on arrival, but is the only one of its species ever recorded in Vermont. Like the gannet, petrels are pelagic and this particular bird was probably blown inland by the storm and died due to a collision

Birds of a Feather, Stickin' Together!

2011-09-29T15:10:00.011-04:00

Eight cedar waxwing fledglings -- all originally from separate nests -- made their way into the big wide world last Saturday. The birds each came in for treatment after becoming orphaned, injured, or both. The VINS Wildlife Services staff cared for these songbirds, healed their injuries, raised them, and got them ready for life in the wild.Watch a video of the waxwings' release!Cedar waxwings,

Look For It Now: White Baneberry

2011-09-19T06:16:00.002-04:00

Ever been rambling through the woods alone and get a spooky feeling you're not alone? That somebody is watching you? Ever turn around and see hundreds of dolls' eyes staring back at you? Sounds totally creepy, right? Well, don't think it can't happen to you! White baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is now in its full berry glory, and these little white berries have conspicuous black spots (like

Irene Brings Unexpected Guests to VINS

2011-09-16T13:34:00.005-04:00

By Elise Newman Wildlife Services Intern Flooding and heavy rains were not the only things blown in by Tropical Storm Irene. The day after Irene swept through Vermont, VINS received two pelagic birds -– birds who spend most of their lives on the open ocean and only come ashore to breed once a year. For those rusty on their geography, there is absolutely no ocean shoreline in Vermont.Our first

Young Owl a Baby No More

2011-09-15T12:49:00.012-04:00

You might remember that earlier this summer we had the opportunity to test out one of our eastern screech owl's mothering skills. We put our female screech (who normally lives in one of our exhibits) in an enclosure with an orphaned baby screech to see if she'd foster the owlet, and foster she did: she became an overprotective helicopter parent, who dutifully watched over and defended the little

VINS Raptor Camp Wrap-up!

2011-09-11T07:14:00.002-04:00

By Katie ChristmanVINS Education InternWhat has two legs, is full of energy and really, really loves birds? If you guessed a camper at VINS Raptor Camp then you guessed correctly!The last two weeks of raptor camp were bursting with excitement as kids grades 4-6 explored the world of raptors right here at VINS in Quechee. Campers had some special opportunities to go behind the scenes in Wildlife

Turning the Tide on Invasive Species

2011-09-07T13:22:00.000-04:00

If you take a walk through the woods or fields around your home you may encounter plants that don't belong. In many of our local communities, these invasive species are quietly out-competing native species. In the picture below, someone is using a weed wrench to remove some of these unwanted visitors. The diversity of natural and man-made wildlife corridors throughout the Ottauquechee

Splish Splash

2011-08-26T15:21:00.001-04:00

Remember our female mallard whose broken leg just recently healed? Well, that healed leg is now paddling her toward a new life. On August 22nd we sent her off in style at Dewey's Mill Pond here in Quechee, VT. The duck came into our care after being hit by a vehicle in the Barre area on July 31. She suffered a broken leg, which produced a lot of swelling and pain in the right ankle. After

A New Leg to Stand On

2011-08-23T16:07:00.000-04:00

This beautiful female mallard duck came to the VINS Wildlife Services department on August 1. She was transferred here from another rehabilitator and had been found on the side of the road after being struck by a vehicle. This little lady was so swollen around her left leg that at the time she came in, we were unable to find the fracture that was causing her so much pain. You can see a video

Small Falcon, Big Farewell

2011-08-16T11:12:00.008-04:00

Last Saturday, VINS Education Intern Sarah Sincerbeaux released an American kestrel back into the wild. Watch a video of this bird's release! The small falcon came to VINS' rehabilitation department as a fledgling -- he was old enough to have left his nest, but young enough that he may have been relying on his parents for food. He was hit by a pick-up truck on July 11 in Washington, VT, and

Look For It Now: Dogday Harvestfly

2011-08-13T13:33:00.007-04:00

As high summer reaches its peak of heat and humidity, we are annually serenaded by the high-pitched whining song of the cicadas as they emerge from their nymphal exoskeletons and prepare for life as adults. Here at VINS we have been listening to the song for weeks, and the other day were surprised to find this delightful creature sitting on the door to one of our outdoor bird enclosures! This

'Moor' Than Meets the Eye

2011-08-12T10:37:00.010-04:00

By Sara Eisenhauer Lead Wildlife Keeper Last week, the staff in Wildlife Services received an interesting patient. It was small, fuzzy, had a beak that looked like candy corn and giant feet. We had never seen anything like it! Initially we thought it was a young sora, but after searching through several books and a few web sites, we were able to identify our mystery patient: a baby common

Wild & Wonderful Woodpecker

2011-08-11T13:45:00.006-04:00

By Jessamy Schwartz VINS AmeriCorps Member “All these injured birds are here because they share something in common. They are all here because someone cared enough to take the time to pick them up and bring them here,” said VINS Education Intern Sarah Sincerbeaux, at a recent raptor program. Watch a video of the pileated's release. Above, Jessamy releases the bird. So true. I was reminded of

Twins!

2011-08-08T14:33:00.000-04:00

Well, nest-mates, anyway. These are the two young, fuzzy white faced broad-winged hawks who came into the care of the VINS wildlife services team last month. The two were rescued by a logger who, unknowingly, was also their downfall when he cut the tree in which their nest was perched. Below is the pair when they first came in. The gentleman logger who initially grounded the birds got them into

Look For It Now: Epipactis Hellborine

2011-08-04T14:12:00.012-04:00

I've never been a fan of orchids. They're too pretty, too perfect and just too exotic. Give me some hardy goldenrod and some frost-resistant aster any day over a dainty, fine-petaled orchid.But I'm starting to warm up to the Orchidaceae family since recently discovering epipactis hellborine -- an orchid now blooming in abundance in certain spots in Vermont. I came upon this non-native hiking in

Such Sweet Sorrow

2011-08-02T16:24:00.007-04:00

The young crow who came in several weeks ago with a broken leg has successfully been released back in his home territory!Read about the juvenile crow's history in our previous blog entries here and here. The crow was picked up from VINS last week, after we successfully splinted and healed a severely broken leg, by the volunteer transporter who originally brought him to us. She sent us a few

So long, heron!

2011-08-02T11:06:00.009-04:00

It was with great delight we released the juvenile great blue heron who came into our care a few weeks ago.Watch a video of the heron's release!The bird was initially brought into our care when he was found on a road thin, weak and unable to stand. Read his story here. The young bird made a stellar recovery here at VINS, gaining weight on live fish, regaining his strength and putting those long

Not So Baby Anymore

2011-07-29T14:27:00.011-04:00

Have any parents out there woken up one morning and realized your "baby" is taller then you are? That must be how our foster owl has been feeling lately. Now that adulthood is creeping in, our fledgling eastern screech owl has grown in almost all her adult feathers and now weighs 193 grams! (That's 0.4 pounds, for those, like me, to whom grams make no sense). Overall, baby is flying well, has a

Raptors, Raptors, Everywhere!

2011-07-29T02:09:00.000-04:00

In the past month, we have had an influx of juvenile raptors here at the VINS rehabilitation center, and I wanted to share some snapshots! The two youngsters to the left came in to VINS together after their nest was cut down by an unsuspecting logger. The kind man was very surprised by what came down with the tree he was working on and got the three nest mates to help very quickly. Unfortunately

Luck of the Loon

2011-07-28T10:54:00.011-04:00

A common loon had the good luck of being found by a local Vermont man after the bird became grounded. The bird was under the scoreboard of the Otter Valley Union High School football field in Brandon -- not your typical loon hangout. Loons -- who must be in water to take off for flight -- often become "grounded," or stuck on land, when they land on a surface other than water.Watch a video of the

Standing Tall

2011-07-26T16:04:00.009-04:00

A juvenile great blue heron was found roadside in East Dummerston, VT last week, lethargic and unable to stand. The tall, gangly fellow was brought to VINS, where we did an exam to see what might be the problem.See a video of the heron's exam, and watch him eat fish!Upon exam (see photos of his exam below), we found a few parasitic flukes in his mouth -- easily treated with an antiparasitic --

Look For It Now: Spiked Lobelia

2011-07-21T15:01:00.011-04:00

In July, it's easy to overlook many of Vermont's smaller wildflowers as the showstoppers -- wild bergamot, Queen Anne's lace, Black-eyed Susans and purple loosestrife -- gain height and vie for bees' attention with their bright colors and big flower heads. But a closer look at the forest floor and in-between meadow stalks reveals some pretty amazing -- albeit very small -- wildflowers.Spiked

Country Road, Take Me Home

2011-07-20T10:11:00.016-04:00

When a delivery truck pulled up to a store here in Vermont, the recipients of the trucks' goods got far more than they bargained for when out popped five baby birds. Here's the scoop.Watch a video of the baby wrens.A mom and dad house wren thought they had found a safe, dry home to build a nest in a seemingly out-of-use truck at the Vermont Country Store. For days on end they dutifully built a

The Success of a Mess

2011-07-08T18:25:00.004-04:00

How often in life is it possible to gauge success by the severity of a mess? In the case of an injured woodpecker, that's just what we are going for!This beautiful female hairy woodpecker came into VINS on June 22nd after flying into a window. We know she is female because a male of the same species would have a bright red patch on the back of his head.See a video here of the mess this

Raptor Camp Week 1: Fun, Friendship, Owls

2011-07-06T10:42:00.006-04:00

By Katie ChristmanVINS Education InternThe first week of VINS Raptor Camp kicked off with a full 5 days of live bird programs, nature hikes, bird tag games and learning to hold a raptor on the glove just like the VINS educators (an activity highly-anticipated by the campers)! We still have Raptor Camp openings for the weeks of August 8-12 and August 15-19. Monday & Tuesday. Campers spent their

Robin: In It to Win It

2011-07-05T14:34:00.014-04:00

Found bleeding in the road, this American robin came to VINS with a golf ball-sized patch of skin missing from her rump -- the area just above her tail. We suspect she was struck by a car or dropped by a predator. In any case, this common backyard bird is in for the long haul here at the Wildlife Services department -- but she's got spirit, and we think she's in it to win it!Watch a video of her

A Splint Success

2011-06-30T09:50:00.008-04:00

Remember this juvenile American crow, whose leg we splinted after the bird came in with a fracture above his ankle? His tarsometatarsus (a bone in the bird's leg) snapped in two after his leg became tangled in a fence.Enjoy this video of our newly-healed crow in his enclosure, making the young crow noises we've all come to love here at VINS.Since removing the splint we had applied to his

Truly Heartwarming

2011-06-28T16:21:00.010-04:00

We definitely have our share of wonderful moments here in the Wildlife Services Department at VINS. This was honestly one of the most heartwarming of those moments so far this spring.A young tree swallow came into our care just four days ago after being found disoriented in the road in Weathersfield, VT. At first, she would not beg for food or eat on her own. We started to get a little bit

Chip Off The Old Owl

2011-06-26T15:08:00.000-04:00

It has been 5 days since the eastern screech owlet here at VINS was introduced to our adult eastern screech foster owl and we thought it was time for a little checking in.Both of our owls are doing great! While there has not been any snuggling or cute nick-naming of one owl to the other (that we know of) our 'Foster-an-Owlet' project has given the orphaned screech owl an excellent role model. The

Off To Be a Bird

2011-06-24T14:54:00.002-04:00

One more patient has come and gone here at VINS. Yesterday we released a gray catbird that came into our care on June 7th after being hit by a car.See the little bird head back to the wild.This little bird was struck soundly by a vehicle in Sharon, VT and received a pretty severe blow to the head. He had blood in both of his ears and was also showing us some signs of nerve damage by not holding

On the Lookout

2011-06-21T14:34:00.008-04:00

A recent sunny afternoon found me standing along the edge of one of Vermont’s back roads looking at a field being taken over by black swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum). This invasive species (pictured below) can form extensive patches of dense plants that crowd out native plants. Sobering as the scene was, I felt good knowing that VINS is taking an active role in the management of invasive

Where's the Baby?

2011-06-21T11:06:00.011-04:00

Here at the wildlife services department of VINS we have been lucky enough to play foster parents to a young eastern screech owl for the past few weeks. If you have recently been by the Rehab In Action exhibit's one way viewing window you may have seen us dancing around in a crazy looking feathered mask. This is our 'Momma Owl' mask. Since raptors are highly intelligent it is very easy for them

Good as New

2011-06-10T15:15:00.010-04:00

This young American crow first came to VINS on May 28th, 2011. He had become tangled in a fence and his leg was snapped, right between what is equivalent to our knee and ankle. He happens to be a very popular little bird, too. Not only did three humans work together to remove him from the fence, but his whole family group (called a 'murder') dive-bombed the rescuers in an attempt to protect the

Back in the Game

2011-06-08T09:44:00.007-04:00

This handsome mallard duck is one tough customer. After being struck by a car and dragged across the asphalt, this duck made an awesome recovery here in the rehabilitation department at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. See a video of his release. In the accident, the duck suffered deep chest wounds and road rash covering a good portion of his back. After weeks of daily wound care,

A Fleeting Farewell

2011-06-07T15:13:00.005-04:00

Another success story ended rather quickly for us today at VINS. A male purple finch that came into our care 32 days ago did not hang around for any "aw" moments when we released him on site today, instead he was gone in a flash.See a video of his fleeting farewell.This beautiful male finch came into our care on May 6, 2011. He had crashed into a window of a home up in Caledonia county and when

Waterlogged

2011-06-03T09:58:00.009-04:00

We are waterlogged here at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. Nope, it's not the heavy rains we've had lately -- it's the plentiful waterfowl patients in our care. As of today, the VINS Wildlife Services staff is caring for 2 orphaned mallard ducklings, 8 orphaned wood ducklings, 1 baby common merganser, an adult mallard and an orphaned Canada gosling!See a video of this baby

VINS Nature Camp: Meet the Counselors

2011-06-02T13:47:00.006-04:00

By Amanda CharlandCamp Programs CoordinatorSummer camp was one of the most defining events in my life. Without those crafts, songs and activities there’s no doubt I would be a very different person today. Now that I’m older, I understand that camp is more than just activities. At camp, children have a chance to practice decision-making, reinvent themselves in a new social setting, and most

Rearin'-to-go Redstart

2011-05-25T16:04:00.007-04:00

This little American redstart was found on the sidewalk beside a huge department store. We believe that she flew into one of the enormous plate glass windows, seeing a reflection of the sky in it and believing she could fly right on through. No such luck.Watch a video of this bird's release!But the good news is this gal just needed to "shake it off" and regain her composure. We receive many calls

What a gem

2011-05-20T14:24:00.009-04:00

First step. First word. First love. "Firsts" are always exciting. On May 14th, 2011, VINS wildlife staff had one of those special moments when we had our first successful release of a hummingbird that came through the VINS wildlife rehab center in 2011. See a video here of this little guy returning to the wild.This male ruby throated hummingbird was brought in when he was found in a covered

Why did the duck cross the road?

2011-05-14T13:45:00.020-04:00

This handsome mallard is still probably asking himself the same thing. When he stepped out on the road last week he ended up getting nailed by a passing vehicle and suffering some serious road-rash. But, he had two things going for him:1. He got hit right in front of the home of some serious duck lovers, who brought him straight into the Wildlife Services department here at VINS.2. None of his

Guess Who?

2011-05-13T14:59:00.005-04:00

A goose, that's who! This Canada gosling (a baby Canada goose) was recently orphaned, and is the first baby bird the VINS Wildlife Services department has received this spring!The people who found her in their yard tried to find her family, and did the right thing by leaving the gosling outside in a shallow container where she peeped loudly. If the parents were around, they would've followed the

Look For It Now: Dutchman's Breeches

2011-05-11T16:19:00.007-04:00

Until a few days ago, Dutchman's breeches were, for me, a wildflower of mythical proportions. Surely a flower that resembles miniature pantaloons hanging upside-down from a clothesline could not grow plainly out in the woods of good old Vermont.But on a recent walk along a dirt road, scads of Dutchman's breeches could be found, growing right out there in the open alongside fully-blossomed trout

Catch You Later, Grouse!

2011-05-05T11:22:00.015-04:00

The ruffed grouse who came into our care last month with a large wound beneath his wing and head trauma made a full recovery here at VINS.We returned this woodland bird (often mistakenly called a "partridge") to the great outdoors last week after a month of expert care here at VINS. See a video of VINS Wildlife Services interns Marie Hammond and Lauren Potter releasing the grouse in Vermont. In

It's the little things...

2011-05-04T10:59:00.006-04:00

Here in the VINS Wildlife Services department, we see a wide variety of bird species come into our care, but some patients are more unique than others. On April 29th, we received this tiny warbler, also known as a northern parula. These small songbirds are one of the many migratory species that return to Vermont each spring. This little guy flew into the window of a building and suffered some

That's No Wizard

2011-05-02T16:20:00.015-04:00

We had quite the surprise recently when one of our volunteer transporters brought in a box containing one small bird. This particular bird was found outside a home and appeared to have flown into a window. The bird showed signs of spinal and head trauma and was unable to stand, so she was taken right into our ICU for treatment. Since coming in, our patient has recovered the use of her legs and,

Look For It Now: Spring Flora

2011-04-27T09:04:00.021-04:00

A few days ago, on an evening hike in the woods behind my Vermont home, the first signs of floral life poked through the damp carpet of last falls' leaves. My hike was accompanied by the songs and calls of a wood thrush, a pileated woodpecker, a white-throated sparrow, robins and countless chickadees. I also spotted my first ovenbird of the spring, hopping from branch to branch in a beech tree to

She's Free as a Bird Now

2011-04-22T12:21:00.007-04:00

Last Friday, Vermont got another free bird. See a video of this owl's return to the wild.It took 46 days for this barred owl to mend in the Vermont Institute of Natural Science's avian rehabilitation center, but it was worth the wait to see her fly away again on April 15th. After being hit by a vehicle along I-91, the owl, assumed to be female due to her large size, was brought to VINS on March

Dude, where's my tail?

2011-04-20T15:43:00.006-04:00

This black-capped chickadee is one tail short, due to an unfortunate tussle with a pet Siamese cat. Birds' tail feathers are designed to easily pull from their bodies, so when a predator tries to grab at the bird's backside the tail feathers come out while the bird flies away to safety.The chickadee also suffered a fracture in his right wing, and -- from the sounds of his gurgled breathing --

A Grouse in 'Ruff' Shape

2011-04-16T14:43:00.008-04:00

When this ruffed grouse first came in to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, he was in pretty rough shape. He was found on the side of the road where he was likely struck by a car, and transported to the Wildlife Services department here at VINS for care.See a video of this grouse's care.Upon exam, we found a large, open wound under his right wing. Since the torn tissue is right under the

A Fine Take-off

2011-03-30T15:44:00.006-04:00

This barred owl, who came to VINS with head trauma after being struck by a car, made a fabulous dash out of his box upon release. The owl was treated for six weeks in VINS' rehabilitation department, and made a full recovery. In our video of the owl's release, the owl takes off out of the box in a flurry of feathers, but our video stills below really give you an idea of how beautiful an owl's

Old Crow Medicine

2011-03-23T11:40:00.009-04:00

An American crow was recently admitted to the VINS Wildlife Services department, presenting with an oozing infection in both eyes we suspected to be conjunctivitis. He showed no other injuries.In the photo above, VINS staff discuss the crow's ocular predicament after his initial exam. Below is a close-up of one of the infected eyes.The crow was initially taken to a veterinarian who started the

In Its Own Good Time

2011-03-17T14:39:00.002-04:00

With spring just days away, it's a joy to see the earth transition into yet another season... in its own good time. The warmer March temperatures mixing with the cold Vermont earth make for some interesting sightings.Softer snow means that birds and other critters can be tracked quite easily. And snow melting off our roofs makes icicles that provide perches for clever chickadees.While I've

Luck Be a MODO Tonight

2011-03-11T11:30:00.007-05:00

This mourning dove is one lucky guy. Based on the nature of his injuries, we suspect he was attacked by a cooper's hawk or similar bird, but managed to escape.See a video of this dove's treatment.The mourning dove (or "MODO," as abbreviated in the bird world) was found hiding out in a garage, likely trying to recover from the attack, and was brought in by the people who found him. (As a

Farm Fresh Food -- At VINS Camps!

2011-03-05T10:24:00.000-05:00

By Amanda CharlandVINS Camp Program CoordinatorI subscribe to the school of thought that food should be local, fresh, and simple. The best sandwich I’ve ever had – made while working on an organic farm here in Vermont -- followed all of these guidelines. It featured crusty local bread smeared with fresh garlic goat cheese, topped with a beautiful array of crisp greens and sun-sweetened

The Numbers Are In

2011-03-03T10:36:00.004-05:00

This year, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science helped more than 100 visitors actively identify and count wild birds as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count on Feb. 21.The VINS team of VINS staff members and members of the public recorded a checklist tallying 7 different avian species, which was added to the 90,693 other lists submitted for the 4-day event. In total, 593 different species

This Is How It's Done

2011-03-02T13:30:00.017-05:00

With so many barred owls in critical condition here in Wildlife Services, it is especially rewarding when one is ready to be released into the wild. One such owl was released at a local school last week after spending almost three months in our care!Watch a video of this owl's silent flight here.This particular barred owl stood out among our patients. With a shattered bone in his wing and severe

Barred Owls: Round Two

2011-02-22T13:40:00.011-05:00

We're getting our second wave of emaciated, hit-by-car barred owls admitted as patients at the VINS' Wildlife Services department.In the photo to the right is a barred owl who sustained a fracture in his left wing (and has a wing wrap on to stabilize the bone), as well as damage to his right eye. The owl pictured below came in with major head trauma, and was bleeding from his mouth. Deep snow

Scientist for a Day: the Great Backyard Bird Count

2011-02-16T09:30:00.004-05:00

By Ian MiyashiroEnvironmental EducatorGrowing up I wanted to be a scientist, traveling around the world studying animals. I ended up being more of a science teacher, but from time to time I get to help with projects that allow me to be a scientist for a day. The 14th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is one of these projects anyone can take part in. The two biggest names in the study of

Waxwing Poetic

2011-02-11T11:51:00.009-05:00

I can't help but wax poetic when it comes to one of my favorite birds: the bohemian waxwing.Named "bohemian" for their nomadic movements, these northern birds travel in flocks like gypsies from one fruited tree to the next -- never staying anywhere long enough to officially establish breeding territories. The "waxwing" part of their name comes from the wax-like red-orange tips found at the end of

Enjoy Nature in a Meaningful Way: Join a Camp Adventure with VINS

2011-02-10T09:03:00.007-05:00

By Amanda CharlandCamp Program CoordinatorJust a few weeks ago, my days were full of wolves howling on hilltops, bears lumbering through meadows, and occasionally, the need to dodge stampeding bison. I had the luxury of many amazing experiences in Yellowstone National Park, where I worked as a naturalist guide. There I discovered what John Muir meant when he said, “In every walk with nature, one

Red-tail Hawksicle

2011-02-03T15:05:00.010-05:00

When we lifted this bird up to examine him late one afternoon last week he was motionless, his feathers caked with snow and ice. He'd been found weak in a snow bank with severe hypothermia, his mate in a nearby tree.Have you been following his story on Facebook?We immediately got to work thawing him out, using hot washcloths to melt the ice off and towels to dry his feathers. Once the ice was

What's With The Tail?

2011-02-03T14:26:00.009-05:00

Last week a Cooper's hawk was brought to Wildlife Services after she hit a window on a dairy farm. After its examination it was determined to be emaciated and a bit bloodied from the collision. She was given vitamins and a fluid diet to treat the emaciation.Her size and coloring indicate that she is a first year female. When she matures, her coloring will transform completely, turning from the

Half-a-Wing Shy

2011-01-26T09:10:00.004-05:00

This northern saw-whet owl -- who came to VINS with a fracture in his left wing complete with nerve damage -- has had quite a row to hoe during his recovery here at VINS. See a video of the owl getting his stitches removed.You may recall this little fella from an earlier post on our blog about weighing him. Turns out the nerve damage was non-reversible, and the tip of the owl's wing became

Owl Release at Winter Carnival

2011-01-19T14:32:00.004-05:00

One by one the barred owl patients in Wildlife Services are recovering from their vehicle collision injuries. On Saturday, visitors at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science were treated to an owl release as part of the day's Winter Carnival festivities.Watch a video of Saturday's release here.Snow was falling as VINS Wildlife Services intern Kasey Hopkins told the crowd the story of how the

Look For It Now: Common Redpoll

2011-01-17T08:22:00.008-05:00

If you've got feeders up this time of year, it's not unusual to see flashes of pink and red in the feathers of your regular visitors. Purple finches and northern cardinals give the white winter landscape of Vermont some much-needed color.But don't assume that these birds are the only ones with color stopping for a spot of seed. Keep your eyes peeled for the common redpoll, a small bird from way

Hairy vs. Downy Woodpeckers

2011-01-13T13:43:00.004-05:00

Today at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science we released a female Hairy Woodpecker that recently recovered from a cat attack. You may see this species at your feeder this winter. But you also may see the Downy woodpecker, which is virtually identical. So how do you tell them apart?Downy Woodpeckers are smaller, averaging at about 6.75" in length, while a Hairy is about 9.25". But size

I Shall Be Released

2011-01-09T15:07:00.009-05:00

Last month we had a surge of barred owls admitted to wildlife services, each one the result of a car collision. We are happy to report that we have begun to release some of them. Watch a video of the latest barred owl release here.The numbers are in: car collision was the top reason for admission in 2010. That's 17% of all patients admitted to our facility last year. We're still not sure why

Avian Rehabilitation Workshops at VINS

2011-01-05T10:06:00.001-05:00

If you are working toward your rehabilitation license or preparing to begin earning your license, VINS is hosting a series of workshops geared toward avian rehabilitation. The classes include a presentation and hands-on lab led by longtime Vermont avian rehabilitator Allison Stark. This workshop series, which includes six courses beginning Jan. 22 and running through April, covers topics

Look For It Now: Tracks in the Snow

2011-01-04T10:41:00.003-05:00

By Katie ChristmanVINS Education InternOne of my favorite winter activities is looking for animal signs. I relish putting on my snowshoes, breathing in that cold winter air and searching for the clues of the person or animal who was out in the snow before me. The best part about looking for animal signs is that anybody can do it! When I go looking for animals signs I like to take out with

Look For It Now: Pine Siskin

2010-12-30T10:30:00.009-05:00