State of Vermont

Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus ©Matt MacGillivray - Creative Commons Website
Birding Vermont

Vermont, the Green Mountain State, is a small New England state with a wide range of birding habitats within a single day’s drive. In the extreme southeast of the state, several southern species reach the northern limit of their range, such as the Red-bellied Woodpecker that nested for the first time in Vermont in 2001 in Brattleboro. In the extreme north, the boreal forests host northern species like the Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay and Black-backed Woodpecker.The Lake Champlain valley provides lake, river, and marsh habitats and is a stopover Spring and Fall for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Recently it has been discovered that this in-land waterway is also a Fall flyway for seabirds, including Jaegers and Gannets.

The Connecticut River Valley is a rich riparian area, highlighted by Herrick’s Cove Important Bird Area near Bellows Fall. Several hawk watches monitor migrating raptors in the Fall, notably on Mt. Philo south of Burlington, and Putney Mountain near Brattleboro; at the latter friendly volunteer hawk watchers readily trade bird gossip between hawk flights. Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Addison provides year round birding treats, but none better than the presence of thousands of Snow Geese during late October migration (with an occasional Ross’ Goose mixed in). At the right time of year, the endangered Bicknell’s Thrush can be lured out of hiding in the spruce forests on the mountain tops where research on this species also, and unexpectedly, turned up nesting Boreal Owls. The rich birding opportunities provided by Vermont is found in the most rural and environmentally progressive state in the union. Small villages hearken back to the early nineteenth century, long before sprawl took over, and small cities retain evidence of the early industrial age, a time before bigness became the norm.

Contributors
  • Chris Petrak

    South Newfane | chrsptrk@svcable.net or rrbb@svcable.net

Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 381

    (As at October 2018)

    State Bird - Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus

Checklist
  • iGoTerra Checklist

    iGoTerra Checklist
    Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web
Useful Reading

  • Birds of New Hampshire & Vermont Field Guide

    By Stan Tekiela | Adventure Publications | 2016 | Paperback | 340 pages, colour photos, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9781591936404 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birdwatching in Vermont

    By Ted Murin & Bryan Pfeiffer | University Press of New England | 2002 | Paperback | 191 pages, B/w photos, maps | ISBN: 1584651881 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of Vermont

    Edited by Rosalind B Renfrew | University Press of New England | 2013 | Hardback | ISBN: 9781611683486 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Museums & Universities
  • Birds of Vermont Museum

    Museum
    The Birds of Vermont Museum is a unique resource for Vermont - a natural history museum based on wood carvings of the state`s birds. A private, non-profit educational organization, the Museum was created by the vision and dedication of founder Robert N. Spear, Jr. Bob, who is a talented naturalist and artist, and a native Vermonter, has spent 17 years creating the first 170 exhibits. They depict Vermont's nesting species in their natural habitats as well as North America's endangered and extinct species in a special exhibit hall of individual carvings.
  • Southern Vermont Natural History Museum

    Museum
    The Southern Vermont Natural History Museum fosters an interest in nature, the environment and the natural sciences through exhibition and educational activities. The museum displays one of New England's largest collections of native species along with live animal exhibits, ecology, geology and natural history exhibits. With nearby access to over 600 protected acres of hiking trails, the family fun and adventure can continue outside year-round.
Organisations
  • Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society

    Website
    Serving the communities of Andover, Bridgewater, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Hartland, Londonderry, Ludlow, Plymouth, Reading, Rockingham, Springfield, Weathersfield, Westminster, Weston, West Windsor, Windsor, and Woodstock in Vermont, and Acworth, Alstead, Charlestown, Claremont, Cornish, Langdon, Unity, and Walpole in New Hampshire.
  • Audubon Vermont

    Website
    Audubon Vermont's Mission is to protect birds, wildlife and their habitat through engaging people of all ages in education, conservation, stewardship and action.
  • Audubon in Vermont

    Website
    Offices & Chapters; Centers & Sanctuaries...
  • Green Mountain Audubon

    Website
    The Green Mountain Audubon Society was founded in 1962 as an independent Vermont corporation and became a chapter of the National Audubon Society to promote environmental education, wildlife protection and land conservation.
  • Nature Conservancy in Vermont

    Website
    When you donate today, you will help ensure a thriving natural environment for future generations of Vermont.
  • Northeast Kingdom Audubon Society

    Website
    The mission of the Northeast Kingdom Audubon Society is to foster the stewardship and enjoyment of birds, other wildlife and natural habitats.
  • Otter Creek Audubon Society

    Website
    We are the Addison County, Vermont chapter of the National Audubon Society. Our mission is to protect birds, other wildlife and their habitats by encouraging a culture of conservation within Addison County. We do this through a variety of educational and community outreach programs and all our efforts are volunteer run. You can support us by becoming a member, volunteering to help with events, telling us about your Wildlife Sightings in Addison County, and taking note of the important issues we advocate.
  • Rutland County Audubon

    Website
    Rutland County Audubon has developed a list of places to bird in our area – places that are special to us and are representative of the variety of habitats we are fortunate to have in our area. These are places that are publicly accessible; some are large, some small. A few will involve hiking and others can be canoed or kayaked.
  • Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

    Website
    Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society serves the southeastern corner of Vermont. Activities include free monthly programs (third Tuesday); trips for the endangered Bicknell`s Thrush, co-sponsor (with Ascutney Mountain) of the autumn Putney Mountain Hawk Watch. Contact chris@rockriverbb.com
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • IBA Lake Champlain Birding Trail

    InformationSatellite View
    This trail is a highway-based trail (approximately 300 miles) which unifies and connects 87 birding sites along the Lake Champlain shoreline and uplands in Vermont and New York…
  • IBA Mansfield Worcester Forest Block

    InformationSatellite View
    This IBA contains the spine of the Green Mountains from Breadloaf north through the Smuggler's Notch area and the entire Worcester Range, a sub-range of the Green Mountains. This area contains a wide variety of forested habitats, including high-elevation spruce-fir forest, mixed hardwood-conifer forest, and northern hardwoods forest. This is some of the largest area of spruce-fir, a critical habitat type for Bicknell's Thrush and Blackpoll Warbler, in the State of Vermont. Lower elevations also support many other forest species, including Black-throated Blue Warblers and other species targeted as part of the Vermont Forest Bird Initiative.
  • IBA The Connecticut River Birding Trail

    InformationSatellite View
    Connecticut River Birding Trail, 104 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT 05001 Tel:(802) 291-91- ext. 107 The mission of the Connecticut River Birding Trail (CRBT) is to encourage visitors and residents of the region to bird watch and enjoy natural history by unifying the outstanding natural resources of the Upper Valley region of the Connecticut River through a connection of 70+ birding sites via a highway-based trail. The trail extends from Woodsville, New Hampshire to Springfield, Vermont and includes sites east and west of the river.This watershed has many special and significant natural areas with excellent resources available to the public. It is blessed with a wonderful seasonal variety and diversity of plant and animal species…
  • NC Eleanor Ellis Springweather Nature Area

    WebpageSatellite View
    A Cooperative Project of the Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Springweather Nature Area overlooks North Springfield Lake on the border of Springfield and Weathersfield, VT. Trails meander through 70 acres of fields and forests, and provide many opportunities to enjoy the natural world.
  • NC Green Mountain Audubon Center

    WebpageSatellite View
    The Green Mountain Audubon Center is operated by Audubon Vermont, the state program of the National Audubon Society. Nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains, the 250-acre Green Mountain Audubon Center offers outstanding opportunities for exploration and discovery of the natural world of Vermont. Five miles of trails wind their way through a variety of natural communities including, northern hardwood forest, hemlock swamp, and the Huntington River.
  • NF Green Mountain National Forest

    InformationSatellite View
    The forest supports a variety of wildlife, including beaver, moose, coyote, black bear, and white tailed deer. It also supports an abundant variety of bird species, such as wild turkey and ruffed grouse. The forest, being situated in Vermont's Green Mountains, has been referred to as the 'granite backbone' of the state.
  • NR Babcock Nature Preserve

    InformationSatellite View
    The preserve comprises a 1,000-acre (1.4 km²) tract of boreal forest land owned and maintained by Johnson State College and the Vermont State Colleges for scientific and educational study.
  • NR Eshqua Nature Conservancy Fee Land

    InformationSatellite View
    The Eshqua Nature Conservancy Fee Land, known commonly as the Eshqua Bog, is a protected area in Hartland, Vermont. It is 41 acres containing a wet bog. It is near Woodstock, about 11 miles west of White River Junction. There is a boardwalk allowing access to the wetland and views of rare plants.
  • NR Weathersfield Great Blue Heron Rookery

    WebpageSatellite View
    In 1985, a Great Blue Heron rookery was discovered in a beaver pond in Weathersfield, Vermont. At the time, the rookery was composed of four active nests. The rookery grew to a high of 12 nests and 38 fledglings in 1992. In order to protect this very sensitive site, AMAS, in cooperation with the landowner, successfully petitioned the Vermont Water Resources Board to expand the wetalnds buffer around the rookery…
  • NWR Missisquoi

    WebpageSatellite View
    Here, the Missisquoi River meanders through beds of wild rice and stands of wetland plants such as arrowhead, bulrush and wild celery. In addition to 500 acres of natural marsh, the refuge includes 1,800 acres of managed wetlands formed by three diked impoundments. These pools are a mix of open water and rich stands of emergent plants, shrubs, and wooded swamps that offer food and cover for waterfowl. Although refuge waters attract waterfowl most of the year, peak use is in the fall, when thousands of ring-necked ducks settle in to feed with hundreds of green-winged teal, black ducks, and mallards.
  • NWR Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

    InformationSatellite View
    Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge was established in 1997 to conserve, protect and enhance the abundance and diversity of native plant, fish and wildlife species and the ecosystems on which they depend throughout the 7,200,000-acre (29,000 km2) Connecticut River watershed.
Sightings, News & Forums
  • VTBIRD

    Mailing List & Forum
    This is the official home page for VTBIRD, the Vermont Birding Discussion List. For the convenience of subscribers, information from the VTBIRD welcome message is included below. Guidelines were modeled after those used by BIRDCHAT and other, established, bird discussion lists. Also included are resources about viruses and other pertinent topics.on the Web at http://list.uvm.edu/archives/vtbird.html
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Vermont Bird Tours

    Tour Operator
    Vermont Bird Tours founder Bryan Pfeiffer is an author, nature photographer and conservationist. He has been chasing, enjoying and guiding folks to birds for nearly 30 years. Bryan co-hosts the award-winning radio show "For the Birds" each Saturday morning on WDEV AM and FM. And he is the host of the Vermont Public Television special Birding in Vermont.
Trip Reports
  • 2016 [10 October] - James P Smith - New England

    PDF Report
Places to Stay
  • Inn at Buck Hollow Farm B&B

    Accommodation
    Whether you decide to walk our wooded trails, cuddle a spring lamb, listen to a brook, or simply sit by the heated pool and watch the birds, we believe you will appreciate the special country atmosphere of spring and summer in this northern Vermont location.
  • Ryegate House B&B

    Accommodation
    Ryegate House is a completely renovated 150+ year old farmhouse just three miles from I-91. Year round fun & relaxation. Birds, flowers, fresh air, & vegetables in the Spring and Summer. Foliage tours in the Fall. Skiing, etc or just sitting by the fire in the Winter.
  • Trapp Family Lodge - Stowe

    Accommodation
    Austrian-inspired touches enhance your warm and inviting lodging options. Whether it’s our 96-room historic Alpine Lodge, our 100 cozy Guest House Chalets or our luxurious 3 bedroom Villas, the options allow you to choose the ideal destination for you and your family. Relax and rejuvenate at our 2,400 acre mountain resort…
  • Woodstock Inn & Resort

    Accommodation
    The Woodstock Inn & Resort faces the heart of town - the Village Green - with shops, restaurants, and area attractions just a short walk from the lobby. As quaint as our community feels, The Resort offers our guests a full range of modern services and luxuries. We balance the best of both worlds to make your vacation memorable, comfortable, and as convenient as possible…
Other Links
  • Backyard Birding

    Website
    My wife and I have been birding for a very short time. We mostly stay in the Champlain Valley
  • Birds of New England

    Website
    Some excellent photographs
  • Vermont Center for Ecostudies

    Website
    What lives here? Where is it? What’s common? What’s at risk? The answers lie scattered among books, reports, computers, museums and even the memories or journals of Vermonters now living or long passed. The average department store knows more about its inventory than we know about what lives in Vermont. In the information age, this is troubling...
Blogs
  • Chris Petrak - Tails of Birding

    BLOG
    Last updated November 2016 - I am a writer and birding hobbyist who combines the two interests in a weekly column in this blog and in a weekly column in the "Brattleboro Reformer." I write about birds, birding, birdwatching, and life. I may weigh in on other birding matters as well…
  • Dick Mansfield - Vermont Birder

    BLOG
    Sharing observed birds and what I learn birding New England & the Southwest…
  • Hilke Breder - One Jackdaw Birding

    BLOG
    Last updated 2013 - I am an avid birder, photographer, and recorder of bird songs, living in Brattleboro, VT, with my husband Bill Jacques and our two dogs…
  • Ken Cox - Northern Wings

    BLOG
    Last updated December 2017 - Ken Cox - Reading, Vermont, United States - My fascination with birds and other wildlife formed during early childhood and became firmly rooted in my life during the early 1970s while attending the University of New Hampshire. Since then I have birded extensively throughout the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest.
Photographers & Artists
  • Photographer - Ted Shiffman

    Gallery
    Some brilliant wildlife shots from this Vermont based photographer.

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