Winter sunset © Kent McFarland

Fear not—during December's short days and long nights, there’s still plenty of life in the fading light. Once we pass the winter solstice, which strikes at 10:27 p.m. on December 21, more light will creep back. Until then, here’s some winter natural history to keep you going.

Read the December Field Guide here.

Conservation Action is Hope for Our Future!

Pine Grosbeak © Nathaniel Sharp

From more than three decades of pioneering field studies, VCE has produced a variety of tools to inform conservation action: vulnerability rankings, priority area maps, guidelines for managing critical habitat, and recovery plans for species at risk. We’ve also spearheaded partnerships that put these tools to use. 

With your contribution and continued participation in our programs, VCE can scale up projects showing the greatest potential for conservation impact and innovate to meet emerging information needs. If you believe, as we do, that together we can make a difference, please consider making a generous contribution today. 

A Long-eared Owl showcases its namesake ear tufts while taking a mid-day snooze in a Windsor County backyard. © Stephanie McCaull

Congratulations to Stephanie McCaull for winning the November 2023 Photo-observation of the Month for the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist! Her photos of a remarkable chance encounter with one of Vermont’s most secretive owls received the most faves of any iNaturalist observation in Vermont during the past month.

On a sunny fall morning in the Connecticut River Valley, VCE friend and board member Stephanie McCaull stepped outside to a din of cawing American Crows. Knowing this cacophony could be in response to a local owl or other predator drawing the ire of these crafty corvids, she searched around her front yard until she spotted a well-camouflaged owl with protruding feathery "ears." Smaller and slimmer than the common Great Horned Owl, with a different patterning of coloration on the breast and face, the Long-eared Owl is one of Vermont’s most secretive and sought-after owl species. Avid birders will spend hours at night listening with hands cupped to their ears for the soft, low hoots of Long-eared Owls in their preferred habitat:dense thickets of cedar and other conifers adjacent to open areas; But every so often one of these reclusive owls will roost out in the open, providing a treat for lucky birders. To learn more about these charismatic, reclusive owls, head over to Vermont eBird where this article on the thrills of searching for Long-eared Owls in Vermont also provides a plethora of natural history information.

Holiday Gift Guide for Nature Lovers

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) © Peter Briggs

'Tis the season for giving! If you know (or are) a nature lover, consider choosing a gift from this list of ideas. You’re sure to find something that will delight the conservation-minded folks in your life, from wildlife enthusiasts to art lovers to appreciators of delicious coffee. There’s a little something for everyone on the list, and each item comes with a conservation twist!

Suds and Science Returns in January!

Spruce forest © Kent McFarland

Suds and Science begins again in January! Our first talk will take place at the Norwich Inn on January 2, featuring Northeast Wilderness Trust Ecologist Shelby Perry. Talks begin at 7 p.m. upstairs in the front room. To check out the full list of speakers for the 2024 season, go to this page on our website.

Stay Informed With Our 2023 Field Season Summaries

Kent McFarland surveying for butterflies © Alex Johnson

Curious about what happened at VCE this past field season? We've got you covered. Check out our 2023 field season summaries here, as well as a separate loon summary.

We're Hiring: Seasonal Bird Bander

Green Mountains © Kent McFarland

VCE is looking to hire an experienced bird bander to help lead netting efforts in both the Green and White Mountain National Forests. This is a twelve-week position from late May to early August with a weekly stipend of $850. To view the full job description, visit our employment page. The application period for this position will close at 5 p.m. EST on January 31.

Winter Bird Counts Starting Soon

The 124th Winter Bird Count will take place from December 14 through January 5. This is the longest-running community science project in Vermont. Each count occurs in a designated circle, 15 miles in diameter, and is led by an experienced birder, or designated “compiler”. Click here to learn more about count locations, dates, and compiler contact information.

Thank You!

Groton State Forest © Alex Johnson

We would like to take a moment to thank all of you in our wonderful VCE community! Your support is vital to continue to push the boundaries of conservation science, and we couldn't be more grateful! VCE has even bigger plans for 2024, and together, all of us can make them a reality. Thank you!

The Vermont Center for Ecostudies promotes wildlife conservation across the Americas using the combined strength of scientific research and community engagement. Find us online at vtecostudies.org.