Each year in early October, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreations, Delta Waterfowl, and Otter Creek Audubon Society host “Dead Creek Wildlife Day,” a one-day event that draws families from all over the state.
This year on Saturday October 7th from 9:30AM to 4:00PM, a huge white tent was set up in attempt to keep visitors and conservation groups somewhat dry on a very wet day!
There was still lots of fun to be had with activities throughout the day:
- Live critters, including birds of prey, turtles, and a possum!
- Hunting dog handling, including bird pointer and retrieving dogs and certified tracking dog teams who volunteer during big game hunting seasons to help recover a deer or bear
- Fishing how-tos and boat safety
- Bluebird boxes building
- Nature art and crafts, face painting, soap carving, and wooden duck decoy carving
- Walks for birds, clayplain forest plant identification, invasive species, and insects
- A lecture on snakes and lizards of Vermont
- A Game Warden K9 scent detection dog demonstration
- Deer processing techniques and wild game cooking over a campfire
To view the full event schedule from this year and get an idea of what you might not want to miss next year, click here!
The Vermont State Department of Fish and Wildlife had plenty of hands-on learning opportunities to talk with biologists at tables, feel fur pelts and antlers, and view the “Operation Game Thief” Trailer for education on illegally poached wildlife
Of course, the live animals always draw a lot of attention. This Northern Screech Owl was hit by a car and has permanent damage to an eye, which will not allow him to be safely released in the wild. Now he lives a life in captivity, serving as an ambassador for his species at education events like this one. A Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel from the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum also joined him.
Audubon Vermont’s conservation fellow, Cassie Wolfanger, happily chatted with folks passing by the education table, wanting to know more about our conservation programs, how the summer’s flooding in Vermont might have affected birds this year, and migratory status as many species head south for the winter.
Our very own Senior Conservation Biologist Mark LaBarr usually demonstrates bird banding in the early morning of the event, but this year’s weather was too wet and windy to safely catch birds in nets. Mark joined other conservationists in delivering the annual Sally Laughlin Award to this year's recipient, Dr. Bill Kirkpatrick, a UVM Professor Emeritus, chair of the Species Advisory Group for mammals to the Vermont Endangered Species Committee and overall invaluable contributor of mammalogy research in Vermont over his career.
A number of families made their own bluebird boxes and went home with some to put up on their properties.
The Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center features interactive displays and wildlife exhibits and serves as an educational resource, highlighting the history of Dead Creek and conservation, fish and wildlife management, conservation partnerships, habitat, and more. The center is open in the busy season mid-April to the beginning of October on weekends only from 10am - 4pm, but has extended hours from October 4, 2023 - November 19, 2023 on Wednesday – Sunday from 10am - 4pm.
Be sure to join the fun next year!
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