eNews | December 2021
Breadloaf Wilderness Area © Kent McFarland
A Field Guide to December
An icy chill is in the air and tree limbs are coated in a delicate, snowy blanket—winter will soon be here. Across the landscape, animals who do not spend the winter tucked away scurry and flap, leaving evidence of their small dramas in the powder. Whether you choose to explore frozen hillsides or remain closer to home, there's much to discover in December. Find out more on the VCE blog.
One Lucky Loon
The recovered loon flaps her wings on Penobscot Bay, Maine. © Terry Heitz
By early October, VCE loon biologist Eric Hanson has usually left Vermont's lakes for wintry slopes and ski trail maintenance. However, this fall, he received news of a tangled and injured loon in need of a swift rescue. Thankfully, through the hard work of avian rehabilitation specialists in Vermont and beyond, this loon made a spectacular recovery. Read Eric's full account on the VCE blog.
Vireos Steal Late Fall Birding Spotlight in
Windsor County
The best photo that anyone was able to capture of a White-eyed Vireo present at Ratcliffe Park
in downtown White River Junction over 3 days in late November 2021. The bird chose not to
cooperate freely with birders, as it moved constantly through dense thickets and afforded
fleeting glimpses at best. 25 November 2021. © Ben Wardrop
Vireos are rarely considered as show-stealers among fall migrant songbirds, but a trio of unexpected members of this family during late autumn 2021 kept Windsor County birders on their toes. Read more about these exciting sightings on the VCE blog.
Soaring to New Heights
Aphrodite Fritillary © Kent McFarland
Butterfly enthusiasts and amateur naturalists alike have delighted over eButterfly since its 2012 launch in Canada. Last week, the crowd-sourced community science platform was named as a finalist in the Nature Inspiration Awards 2021. eButterfly’s nomination represents a new milestone and demonstrates this platform’s growing, far-reaching impact. Read more about this achievement and what's coming next on the VAL blog.
Suds & Science 2022
A cat carrying a mouse is captured on camera at one of Laura's study sites. © Laura Plimpton
Mark your calendars—Suds & Science returns Jan 4, 2022 for another (virtual) season! Our first presenter is Laura Plimpton, a PhD student in Columbia University's Eco-Epidemiology Lab. Her interests center on the role of anthropogenic drivers in the transmission of diseases from animals to humans. Her talk, titled "The Diets of Feral Cats in Urban Colonies" is surely one not to miss!

Give the Gift of Conservation
Winter snowfall. © Kent McFarland
Investing in VCE’s conservation research programs with a year-end gift helps conserve biodiversity and could even provide you a tax advantage. Some of these opportunities for tax-smart giving expire at the end of 2021—don’t miss out!

  • Gifts of cash are tax-deductible up to 100% of your 2021 income. This is only for 2021, and only applies to gifts of cash to operating public charities. (Donor advised funds do not apply here.)
  • Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA? This will generate immediate taxable income, which you can offset with charitable giving.
  • Gifts of appreciated securities may reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes. Find VCE’s stock transfer instructions here.
  • For 2021 only, non-itemizers can claim a charitable tax deduction of up to $300 per person ($600 per married couple, unlike last year). Click here to donate online.

Your generosity makes VCE a mighty force for conservation. However you choose to support VCE this year, we sincerely thank you!

Please consult your tax advisor to learn about what options are best for your own situation.
Gifts for the Conservation-minded
People in Your Life
Pine Grosbeak © Nathaniel Sharp
Black Friday might have come and gone, but chances are a few people remain on your gift list. Don’t worry—we’ve got some ideas for all your conservation-minded loved ones. From wildlife enthusiasts to art lovers to appreciators of delicious coffee, there’s a little something for everyone on this list, and all with a conservation twist! Check out all our suggestions on the VCE blog.
Special Feature
VCE is honored to have been chosen as the Upper Valley Food Co-op's December featured recipient! Each month, UVFC spotlights a different local organization whose mission and work align with theirs. As December's featured recipient, VCE will receive 50% of donations made through UVFC's Common Cents Community Contribution Program. Learn more about this program on UVFC's website!
Giant Silk Moth Cocoon Watch Continues
Cecropia Moth Cocoon. © Sean Beckett
November may be over, but you can still find community scientists and VAL team members out searching for silk moth cocoons. And we'd like you to join us!

Due to recent mild weather, our team has decided to extend the Giant Silk Moth Cocoon Watch though Dec. 31. With the data collected, our team hopes to form a clearer picture of how populations of these startlingly large, but vulnerable moths are faring in Vermont.

Photo-observation of the Month
Tetracladium setigerum
by Connor Quinn
A conidium (a kind of fungal spore) collected from a sample of Black River foam in Craftsbury, VT.
© Connor Quinn
Congratulations to Connor Quinn for winning the November 2021 Photo-observation of the Month for the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist! Connor’s photo taken through a microscope of a minuscule fungal spore received the most faves of any iNaturalist observation in Vermont during the past month. Visit the VCE Blog for more info and view fantastic images of the runners-up in the November 2021 Photo-observation of the Month!
 
Visit the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist, where you can vote for the winner this month by clicking 'fav' on your favorite photo-observation. Make sure you get outdoors and record the biodiversity around you, then submit your discoveries—and you could be a winner!
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies promotes wildlife conservation across the Americas using the combined strength of scientific research and citizen engagement. Find us online at: vtecostudies.org