Category Archives: Local Birding

Easing Back Into Birding

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Richard

In late November, my life changed when my spouse of 53 years was diagnosed with lymphoma and I lost all interest in birding and many other activities. As I chronicle here, we have had months of tension and relief, sadness and … Continue reading →

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Del Mar Neighborhood Birds

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Richard

We are in California for a few days seeing our son Robb and his family. What a nice change from the barren “stick season” of Vermont; we awoke early the first morning due to the time change to birdsong and … Continue reading →

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Stuff on Trees

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Richard

I try to get out for a long walk with Penny every other day at least, in addition to her regular loops that we do in our woods. Yesterday afternoon, we hiked two and a half miles up on our adjoining … Continue reading →

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A Jaunt to Chickering Bog

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Richard

After a hospital lab visit and some errands yesterday morning, I decided to visit a local area where I have never birded: Chickering Bog Natural Area located on the border of Calais and East Montpelier. It’s not too hard to … Continue reading →

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A Summer Walk in Our Woods

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Richard

It’s nearly 80 degrees, muggy under a hot sun, mosquitoes everywhere, and trails just soggy with rainwater. It feels like birding in Alabama or Louisiana but I’m hearing Hermit Thrushes and White-throated Sparrows and not worrying about snakes or alligators. … Continue reading →

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Sorry, Mama Robin

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Richard

I cut the firewood we use to supplement heating our house. Each year, I drop 15 or 20 trees, mostly soft maple and cherry, let them dry on the ground during the summer and fall, and then the following year, cut … Continue reading →

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Some July Birds

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Richard

The woods are lush and green and many birds have stopped singing as they nest and tend to offspring and the deer flies and no-see-ums abound — yet it’s a great time to get out and bird.  There’s a lot … Continue reading →

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Birding a New Patch

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Richard

As I have launched a County Big Year for Lamoille County, I have found a “patch” where I have been focusing much of my attention:  it is close and pretty, and it is productive. The patch is a hiking/bike/ski trail … Continue reading →

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Out of the Blue — There’s Blue!

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Richard

All Spring we’ve had a great variety of feathered visitors to our feeder and back yard but today was special.  This morning we’d seen the hummer, the grosbeak, the purple finches along with chipping and white-throated sparrows but just before lunch, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County, Yard birds | 6 Comments

Birding Lamoille County

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Richard

One of my plans for 2014 was to focus on one of our adjacent counties for a mini-Big Year effort once I got home from the Southwest.  I looked at Caledonia, to our east where we sometimes camp, and Orange to the … Continue reading →

Posted in County Big Year, Lamoille County, Local Birding | 1 Comment