Vermont Institute of Natural Science

Raptor Feeding Time
2024-04-26 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-04-25 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-04-24 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-04-23 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-04-22 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-04-21 14:30 - 15:00, 2024-04-20 14:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Raptor Feeding Time
2:30 PM – 3 PM
Join our raptor care-givers for feeding time! Learn about the habits and history of each of the resident raptors at VINS as you watch them enjoy their daily meal.
Held in the Raptor Exhibits.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Animal Encounter
2024-04-26 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-04-25 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-04-24 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-04-23 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-04-22 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-04-21 14:00 - 14:20, 2024-04-20 14:00 - 14:20
Animal Encounter
2 PM – 2:20 PM
Meet an ambassador animal and hear their story while we learn about the adaptations they have that help their species survive in the wild. Join us for a reptile ambassador on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, or a raptor ambassador on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday!
Held in the Hawkfly or Neale Pavilion.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Songbird Aviary Tour
2024-04-26 12:30 - 12:50, 2024-04-25 12:30 - 12:50, 2024-04-24 12:30 - 12:50, 2024-04-23 12:30 - 12:50, 2024-04-22 12:30 - 12:50, 2024-04-21 12:30 - 12:50
Songbird Aviary Tour
12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
Spend some time in our newest exhibit – the Songbird Aviary! Our docents will familiarize you with this special group of birds and point out the ways you can make a great habitat for these important creatures in your own backyard.
Held in the Songbird Aviary.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

Raptors Up Close
2024-04-26 11:00 - 11:45, 2024-04-25 11:00 - 11:45, 2024-04-24 11:00 - 11:45, 2024-04-23 11:00 - 11:45, 2024-04-22 11:00 - 11:45, 2024-04-21 11:00 - 11:45
Raptors Up Close
11 AM – 11:45 AM
Take flight with us on an unforgettable experience! We’ll show you the unique nature of some of the world’s most highly skilled predators – raptors! In this live bird demonstration you’ll gain an up-close view and an in-depth understanding of these majestic birds.
Held in the Hawkfly or Neale Pavilion.
For more information, contact us at info@vinsweb.org or 802.359.5000.

An Introduction to Bird ID
2024-04-23 17:30 - 18:30
In Celebration of Earth Day!
Birding for Beginners: An Introduction to Bird ID
Tuesday, April 23 / 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
$15 General Public; $12 VINS Members
Register Today
Register to receive the link for this virtual event on Zoom.
Have you ever noticed a small flash of color high in the treetops and wondered what species of bird you are looking at? Or have you awoken to the dawn chorus of songbirds and wished you could identify who was singing outside your window?
If you want to get better at identifying birds by sight and sound then join VINS for a workshop that will give you the skills to get outdoors and start birding.
Topic:
Birding By Ear – When foliage is thick and birds are hidden deep within the forest canopy, one way to identify them is by listening to their calls. A spring or summer soundscape in Vermont is full of wonderful bird calls, and being able to identify a single bird amongst the many sounds can seem a daunting task. This class will hone your ear to some of the most common bird calls to start building your birding-by-ear foundation.
From the comfort of your home, begin your birding journey this winter!
Suggested Materials:
No materials are required. For those who wish to get into birding, suggested materials include a notebook or journal and binoculars as well as field guides. Journals and field guides are available for purchase at the VINS Nature Store. View a selection of products available online at: store.vinsweb.org.
This workshop is designed for beginner to intermediate birders and are open to all ages. Kid/family-friendly materials will be provided as a follow-up to each class for those interested in further engaging in these materials with young birders.
VINS Field Guide Recommendations:
National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of East/Central North America
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
Sibley’s Backyard Birds of the Northeast
Vermont Birds Pocket Guide
Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be offered if you cannot attend one or more of these virtual classes. VINS will send participants a recording of each class for which they are registered so if you cannot attend the live event, you can still view the recorded class.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Birding for Beginners: An Introduction to Bird ID
2024-04-23 17:30 - 18:30
VIRTUAL SERIES
Birding for Beginners: An Introduction to Bird ID
Tuesdays / February 27, March 26 & April 23 / 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
$15 General Public; $12 VINS Members
Register Today
Join us for a single class or the entire 3-part series. Register to receive the link to these virtual events on Zoom.
Have you ever noticed a small flash of color high in the treetops and wondered what species of bird you are looking at? Or have you awoken to the dawn chorus of songbirds and wished you could identify who was singing outside your window?
If you want to get better at identifying birds by sight and sound then join VINS for a virtual series that will give you the skills to get outdoors and start birding.
This 3-part virtual series is an introductory course and will focus on birding basics. Each session will be devoted to a different topic related to bird ID including an introduction to some of the most common species found in Vermont, birding terminology, recognizing field markings, body size, shape and silhouette, and bird calls.
From the comfort of your home, begin your birding journey this winter!
Suggested Materials:
No materials are required. For those who wish to get into birding, suggested materials include a notebook or journal and binoculars as well as field guides. Journals and field guides are available for purchase at the VINS Nature Store. View a selection of products available online at: store.vinsweb.org.
These workshops are designed for beginner to intermediate birders and are open to all ages. Kid/family-friendly materials will be provided as a follow-up to each class for those interested in further engaging in these materials with young birders.
Class 1 / February 27
Introduction & Wintertime Bird ID – Winter is a great time to start practicing your bird ID skills and get comfortable recognizing the most common residents of the region. We will introduce you to helpful birding terminology and the basics of bird anatomy and field marks. This class will also teach responsible bird feeding and how to attract birds to your yard in the winter so you can start birding by just looking out your window.
Class 2 / March 26
Size, Shapes, and Silhouettes – There are over 260 birds that can be found regularly in Vermont. Being able to quickly recognize body shape and size can help narrow down the list of possible matches from hundreds to a handful of birds belonging to the same family or genus. In this class, we will compare the wide variety of shapes and proportions that exist in the bird world and begin to understand how each variation has its evolutionary advantage.
Class 3 / April 23
Birding By Ear – When foliage is thick and birds are hidden deep within the forest canopy, one way to identify them is by listening to their calls. A spring or summer soundscape in Vermont is full of wonderful bird calls, and being able to identify a single bird amongst the many sounds can seem a daunting task. This class will hone your ear to some of the most common bird calls to start building your birding-by-ear foundation.
VINS Field Guide Recommendations:
National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of East/Central North America
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
Sibley’s Backyard Birds of the Northeast
Vermont Birds Pocket Guide
Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be offered if you cannot attend one or more of these virtual classes. VINS will send participants a recording of each class for which they are registered so if you cannot attend the live event, you can still view the recorded class.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Wildlife ER
2024-04-21 11:00 - 13:30 | VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee, 05059, United States
In Celebration of Earth Day!
Wildlife ER**
Sunday, April 21 / 11 AM – 1:30 PM
Included with general admission*

Join Our Waitlist
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a wild bird rehabilitator? What does it take to care for and treat the injured birds at VINS? This program will give you a window into daily life at the VINS Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation & Ambassador Care. You’ll learn how patients are admitted, diagnosed, treated, and released, and even meet some of our former patients, who are now education ambassadors! Hear the stories of how we get these amazing creatures back on their wings in the wild and learn how you can be a wildlife superhero by identifying when animals need your help and what to do to help them!
*Pre-registration is required, while registration for the event is free, general admission is due upon arrival.
**The first part of this program will be attending the public program, Bird ER, after the program, registrants will continue on their rehabilitation journey with an educator.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.

Birds and Climate Change
2024-04-20 13:00 - 14:00
In Celebration of Earth Day!
Birds and Climate Change
Saturday, April 20 / 1 PM – 2 PM
Included with general admission
In Vermont, the effects of climate change are already being felt by more than just humans. Birds, scientists know, are indicator species whose populations fluctuate with the health of the ecosystem as a whole.
Come learn what birds can teach us about coping with these dramatic shifts and how important it is for all species that we move towards clean energy and sustainable practices.
Speaker Bio:
Anna Morris is the Director of Wildlife Ambassador Programs at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. She received a Master’s degree in Raptor Biology from Boise State University in 2016 and earned her certification as a Professional Bird Trainer from the International Avian Trainers Certification Board in 2019.
A recording of this in-person event will be released to the public on Earth Day, Monday, April 22.
For more information, contact us at 802.359.5000 or info@vinsweb.org.
