The Hermit Thrush Newsletter
In recent weeks, I have had the pleasure of leading a number of Green Mountain Audubon Society bird walks at sites in Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties. Participating in each of these outings have been birders with all levels of experience. Chatting with these novice-to-veteran bird watchers has made me reflect upon my own growth as a birder and the gratitude that I have toward those from whom I have learned.
To know recently retired, distinguished, and dedicated GMAS board member Ali Wagner is, first of all, to marvel at her extraordinary birding skills, including a preternatural auditory recall of the songs and chip notes of hundreds of Vermont’s resident and migratory species. Equally inspiring, she has never lost the joy and wonder that birding gifts us.
The GMAS funded four grants this year. One grant was spearheaded by Don Taylor, a teacher at Main Street Middle School in Montpelier. A second report came from Fellicia Cota, an artist and educator who provided a summary of her work at the Kid's Nature Art Camp in Swanton. A third came from Gina Krol, a middle school teacher at Winooski Middle School. Finally, GMAS funded the installation of -- and educational signage for -- a deer exclusion zone in the 77-acre Pelots Nature Area in North Hero.
A key component of Green Mountain Audubon’s mission is protecting birds and their habitats. We support that goal by educating the public, organizing birding outings, as well as awarding grants to nonprofit organizations that educate the next generation of conservationists and expose school-age children to birds and nature. This year, we awarded a $1,000 grant to Audubon Vermont to bring a gifted young scientist from Belize to work with their Conservation Program Manager.
We have had an active spring with eight planned outings, most of which were greeted with either rainfall or wet conditions. One of our favorites, the Warbler Walk at Little River State Park, had to be cancelled due to torrential rain conditions. In spite of the weather, many birders were able to join us as we observed the change in seasons and the return of many species from the south.
The Burlington Winter Bird Count did not disappoint in its 77th year. A record 75 birders fanned out across the count circle on December 18, 2024. In total, 81 species were observed. There were many highlights in 2024, and they all centered around the amazing volunteers who return every year to survey our winter birds.
