Vermont's "stick-season" is a fine time to figure out which birds will be sticking around for the winter. With the leaves off the trees, birds are easier to spot as they forage for late-fall food.

Following our regular monitor route, we will search for birds in various habitats at the Audubon Center.  This is a great opportunity to build your experience using binoculars and listening to bird song. We will identify the birds we see or hear, and record counts of their population numbers. Binoculars and bird guides are available to borrow. Beginners are welcome!

The long-term data we gather contributes to the eBird database, which is available to a global community of educators, land managers, ornithologists, conservation biologists, and the public. Explore bird sightings from Audubon Vermont's Green Mountain Audubon Center. 

This month's Bird Monitoring is led by Patrick Phillips of the Green Mountain Audubon Society (GMAS), an Audubon Chapter. Learn more about GMAS: https://www.greenmountainaudubon.org/

We typically finish our monitoring route by about 10 am, but you can leave earlier if necessary.

Donations to Audubon are appreciated.
vt.audubon.org/donate

Regarding the weather: Normally with light rain or snow forecasted, we will go ahead with the walk. If strong winds, heavy rain, or snow are expected, we will reschedule the walk. Please check our website if in doubt about the weather. We'll post an update if we need to cancel/reschedule.

Trail/accessibility information: Our walk will be at a slow (birding) pace and will cover approximately 1.5 miles. The trail is unpaved and there are two short sections of stairs on the route. Wheelchair-accessible bathroom facilities are located in the office, our meeting place. If you require accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please contact Audubon Vermont at 802/434-3068.

COVID Safety: We are committed to our community's health & safety.  

We understand that some people - even those who are vaccinated, or those who have health concerns, or those who might just feel more comfortable - may choose to continue to wear a mask even when outdoors and distanced. We wholeheartedly support their decision and ask all program participants to be respectful of their choice. We recognize that the decision to wear a mask and comfort levels could change for individuals, even over the course of an event.

 Please do not attend if you are sick or symptomatic (with fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath), if you have received a positive COVID-19 test result within the last 14 days, or if you have had contact with any other person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days. 

Photo: American Kestrel, Pam Lendi/Great Backyard Bird Count