Feb. 18-20—QUECHEE—Join the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) for the Great Backyard Bird Count at the Nature Center campus Saturday, Feb. 18 through Monday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Become a citizen scientist for a day, and help VINS count the wild birds that visit their feeders.
VINS invites birding novices and experts alike to join them in the morning for a Bird ID and Binoculars workshop in which bird enthusiasts will learn to identify those feathered visitors to their backyard and practice with tools that will help them become a real birder. On Saturday and Sunday, build a nest box and take home a safe place for songbirds to raise their families this spring (an additional $10 for materials). Also on Saturday and Sunday, discover the intelligence and playfulness of crows as VINS Educators introduce you to resident crow Crowie—a “crowgram” not to be missed!
Offered Saturday through Monday, VINS’ own Meet a Raptor program will introduce visitors to the origin and importance of the Great Backyard Bird Count and explain how they can play a role in the largest bird survey ever conducted. Guided Bird Walks with a VINS Naturalist will be available Saturday through Monday, as well.
Each day of the celebration will feature Predators of the Sky, one of VINS’ uniquely fascinating live bird programs. Raptor feeding time will be held at 2:45 p.m. each day. Special interactive activities for families will take place. All events are included with admission to the VINS Nature Center.
General admission to the VINS Nature Center is free for members; $14.50 for adults; $13.50 for seniors 62 and over; $12.50 for youth ages 4 to 17; and free for children 3 and under. For more information, visit vinsweb.org or call 802-359-5001, ext. 223. The VINS Nature Center is open to the public seven days a week, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It is located at 6565 Woodstock Road, Quechee.
Photo courtesy of VINS
A female cardinal is easy to spot with its distinct features, though not quite as bright and obvious as her male counterpart.
