Last Thursday we partnered with the Birds of Vermont Museum and the Vermont Amphibian and Reptile Atlas for our second Ask a Naturalist event to answer the community's questions about the natural world during wintertime. We talked about migration, hibernation, bird irruption, winter adaptations of different animals, and so much more! There were four naturalists on the panel offering insight: 

Erin Talmage, Executive Director of the Birds of Vermont Museum & Assistant Herpatologist with the Vermont Amphibian and Reptile Atlas

Alison Gergely, Museum Educator at the Birds of Vermont Museum

Rae Bronenkant, Youth Leadership Coordinator at Audubon Vermont

Sarah Hooghuis, Education & Outreach Americorps Member at Audubon Vermont 

It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to share what we love as naturalists with the public and receive so many awesome, thoughtful questions! If you weren't able to join us, no worries! Below you can find a recording of the event on our YouTube Channel. 

Some discussion questions for students watching:

• What was one thing you learned that you didn't know before? 
• Is there anything you're still curious about? 
• What is your favorite winter animal adaptation?
• If you were an animal, would you prefer to migrate, hibernate or stay active during the winter? 
• Is there something you'd like to conduct further research on? 
• What are your survival strategies for the winter?

If you have any questions that were prompted by the recording or run into something that stumps you this winter, please reach out! We love receiving your nature inquiries! You can send us an email, a Facebook or Instagram message, or call us at 802-434-3068.