Category Archives: Vermont Birding

Kitchen Door Birds

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Last fall, I left my camera in Spain and have had problems getting it back. I replaced it with a mirrorless camera with a decent telephoto. Within a week or two, I knew it was too bulky and heavy for me. I replaced it last week with a Nikon COOLPIX P950 and so far, so good.

The weather has been cold, windy, and snowy – not the best environment for learning to use a new rig. So, I decided to shoot birds at the feeder through the glass storm door. Here are some of the usual suspects that are going through a lot of bird seed and suet.

A Hairy Woodpecker stocks up after the big storm
Of course, Black-capped Chickadees are daily visitors
Female Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal & Downy Woodpecker
Several Mourning Doves are frequent ground feeders

And one of our favorite winter birds are the tiny Red-breasted Nuthatches.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Here is our feeder setup after Sunday’s big storm. Stay safe.

Here is our backyard feeder setup after Sunday’s big storm. Stay safe.

Birds On The River

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We are fortunate to have a home with the Winooski River North Branch flowing past our backyard. Frozen off and on all winter, it gives us some great birding nine months of the year. Here are a few shots that I took last year.

On this frigid day, I can’t help but wonder where these visitors are spending January. Stay warm.

Some Nice Vermont Birds

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The year 2025 was pretty dreary in many ways. However, looking through my photos was uplifting. It was one of the reasons I bird. Here are some examples starting with this Red-bellied Woodpecker who spent many days in our backyard, and is back again in 2026.


Other photos are: Hairy Woodpecker, Black-crowned Night Heron (downtown Montpelier), Swamp Sparrow, Common Loons,  Great Blue Heron, Gray Catbird, Broad-winged Hawk, and Wood Ducks (on the river out back.)

Here’s hoping for a year full of birding delights. Good birding!

Adios 2025

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It was zero when I took Ginger out yesterday – a pretty chilly end to the year. She had a grooming appointment and so I had an hour or two to study Spanish in the car. I did have my new camera with me just in case.

I was driving to a spot to finish a coffee. On a side street, I spotted a hawk perched. It was being harassed by crows. The camera case was tangled up in the back seat. Not daring to open the door and flush the bird, I somehow retrieved the camera.

I got a little closer and with freezing fingers, took a few shots. I think it was a Cooper’s Hawk but could be convinced otherwise. In any case, it was a neat finish to the birding year and got me psyched for 2026.

Ginger would rather lay on the couch rather than tromp through these super cold winter treks.

I get it. Happy New Year

A Nice Morning Surprise

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After several gray windy days, it was nice to head out this calm morning with some sunshine on our backs. And right away, I saw our Great Blue Heron, still here in spite of some nasty storms. We left him to his spot on the sunny riverbank.

It could be our last look at him before he heads out. In any case, it is a welcome start to a cold sunny morning outing with Ginger.

New Camera

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As I mentioned in my last post, I left my trusty camera, dings and all, in Spain. There are problems with tariff and customs. It is going to be a hassle to get it returned by mail.

We have a possible workout, but it will probably be next Spring. So, I decided to go back to a camera with changeable lenses.

I took it out for a dreary stroll today and came upon a half-dozen Northern Cardinals. The dog tugged on the leash. I tried to sort out this new rig. I got a few shots under gray skies.

So, off we go on a new adventure. Now to read the 966 page manual.

A Few More Birder Plates

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After a nice trip to Spain, probably our last, we are back in Vermont and well into “Stick Season. Most of the birds are gone. Unfortunately, my camera also is missing. I left it along with the Swarovski binoculars at our apartment. They should be back here soon. So, that’s why I haven’t posted in a while.

I have been taking photos of birder license plates for over a decade. Recently, I saw a couple of Vermont plates so here they are.

We are now entertained by many “we’re sticking around” birds at our feeders. We also see migrants like Redpolls and Pine Siskins. And there’s always the possible arrival of a Snowy Owl.

Have a good November.

More Local Birds

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These days on outings, I’m carrying just my camera, not my binos. It’s easier and I can use the telephoto on the Canon for bird spotting.

Here’s a Chipping Sparrow at the ball field.

The other day, I heard a constant cheeping sound and came upon this fledgling on our back deck.

After ten minutes or so, I approached to see if it was tangled and off it flew to the nearby bushes. I trust it will grow up to be a catbird, sparrow, or whatever.

The other morning, a flock of young Cedar Waxwings were foraging.

And then, on our path to the river, a couple of Common Yellowthroats were chipping away at us.

Have a good September of walks and birds.

Testing the iPad

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We are traveling to Europe soon and since I won’t be bringing my laptop, I have been practicing with my phone and tablet. Hummingbirds are also heading out soon and have been hitting the feeder and flowers pretty hard. Here are some photos I took this morning where I used the camera and iPad.

I saw my first hummer here on May 12th this year so it’ll be eight months to wait. Viajes seguros mis amigos.

A Couple of Walks

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Our local walks are getting a lot less “birdy” with migration well underway. Hummers are still here and on every outing we see and hear Gray Catbirds like this one.

Later, on the same walk, Ginger encountered a young Groundhog, and after a short showdown, it ran and hid. Since then, she sniffs the encounter spot but that’s it.

I don’t chase birds these days. However, we have had one or two juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons reported downtown on the river. Ginger and I took a long walk Wednesday and sure enough, this “continuing” bird was fishing patiently.

Just downstream, below a gas station, a Great Blue waited.

And then, as I was heading out, seven small diving ducks flew in. They were juvenile Hooded Mergansers. They settled for a rest stop and likely headed out shortly later.

We had a three mile outing around the city on a beautiful August day. High above capitol, a kettle of 36 Turkey Vultures circled, on their way south. This is a good place to live, and to bird.