Breeding season continues in various stages across the state. Some species have already fledged young, which you may see out and about, while others are still being seen building nests. Some of the earliest and most prodigious nesters, including American robins, are already on to their second set of chicks.
—Doug Morin doug.morin@vermont.gov
What to Look For in the Next Two Weeks
It’s baby bird season. Most of the baby birds people find are fledglings, which appear helpless, but are in fact just fine and merely need space. The parents will be nearby waiting for humans to leave. Here’s a detailed article from the Audubon Society.
If you’re near water, ducklings are the common sight. Most ducks produce up to a dozen eggs in each nest but keep an eye out for mothers with many more ducklings. This can result from “egg dumping,” where a duck (sometimes even another species of duck) lays eggs in a nest other than its own or through “creching” where multiple broods combine babysitting duties to allow some of the adults time to forage for themselves.
Fish and Wildlife is for the Birds
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department (VFWD) staff have been reviewing regulated development proposals for impacts to species including Bicknell’s thrush, grassland birds, and eastern whip-poor-will and projects ranging from ski areas, residential housing, solar arrays, and commercial facilities. These reviews are a routine part of VFWD staff duties and have resulted in many projects with improved outcomes for wildlife across the state.
Upcoming Events
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Birds of Vermont Museum: Monthly bird walks
- Rutland County Audubon: Multiple bird walks
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Green Mountain Audubon: Multiple bird walks
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Friends of Missisquoi: Multiple events
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Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society: Spring bird walks
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Audubon Vermont: Bird walks
Do you have an event you would like posted here? Content you would like covered? A question answered?
Contact Doug at doug.morin@vermont.gov, with the subject line “Birding Report.”
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