Sunset on the Green Mountains in February © Kent McFarland
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A Field Guide to February |
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This month, wildlife and the rest of us here in New England will cross a threshold that's arbitrary yet not insignificant: 10 hours of daylight. You can sense it when you head out in the morning—Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Cardinals are among the birds breaking into song, and Downy and Hairy woodpeckers are starting to drum. There's no doubt that we’ve got a lot more winter ahead, but change is coming. So here are a few February natural history tidbits to help get your hopes up, no matter what that groundhog predicted.
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New Milkweed Specialist Insects Guide |
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Summer may feel like a far-away daydream, but for our biologists there are only a few short months left to plan for the upcoming field season. When VCE conservation biologist Jason Hill and ECO AmeriCorps member Abbie Castriotta began preparing for the 2022 season, they realized they needed a good guide to milkweed specialist insects—but none existed for New England! To make identifying insect specimens easier for both themselves and other naturalists, Abbie created a stunning series of identification guides. You can check out her field guides and the full story on VCE's blog.
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Long-distance Collaboration Documents an Overlooked, Hyper-diverse Taxon |
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Three ichneumonid wasp species identified by graduate student Brandon Claridge. |
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When you think of the most diverse group of animals on Earth, what comes to mind? Chances are, you might be thinking of a type of insect—and with good reason! Beetles are traditionally thought of as the most diverse group; however, a 2018 study suggests that hymenoptera (wasps, bees, ants, etc.) may be the winner. Thanks to a long-distance collaboration between two dedicated community scientists and a graduate student in Utah, we're learning a lot more about one of Vermont's least studied and most diverse insect families. Read all about it on the VAL blog.
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Vernal Pool Monitoring Update |
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Vernal Pool © Kevin Tolan |
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After a challenging 2020, vernal pool monitors were eager to check in on their vernal pools last year—and it shows! Across three years of data collection for VCE's Vernal Pool Monitoring Program, 2021 had the highest number of data sheets submitted at an outstanding 160 sheets. So, what do these years of data collection tell us about certain amphibian populations? Read VCE biologist Kevin Tolan's update to find out.
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A Hooded Merganser pair glides on Deweys Mills Pond in Hartford, VT. © Kent McFarland
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Looking for a Valentine’s gift for the nature lover in your life? A gift to VCE in their honor could be just the thing!
For each gift dedicated to your favorite nature lover, we’ll send the recipient a card letting them know of your thoughtfulness (make sure to let us know their address!). You’ll both have the satisfaction of knowing that your generous gift is supporting wildlife conservation in the Northeast and across the Americas through the combined force of scientific research and community engagement. What could be sweeter?
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Thank you for supporting VCE’s wildlife conservation research and programs! |
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A VCE Online Science Fair: February 16, 7-8pm |
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Sign-up for our February Science Fair to hear all about GPS-tagged Bicknell's Thrushes and two other exciting research projects! © Charles Gangas, originally shown in "A Veteran Bicknell's Thrush
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Join us for an evening of VCE science exploration! In this 1-hour event, you will have the opportunity to meet in small groups with VCE biologists, spend 20 minutes learning about each of three active VCE projects, and ask questions. Here’s our February line-up:
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Chris Rimmer and Kevin Tolan will share the latest in Bicknell's Thrush (BITH) life-cycle research. Where do the birds spend the late winter, before migrating north? A new VCE study will help answer this question, completing a critical piece of the full annual life cycle puzzle of Bicknell’s Thrush (BITH). This past summer, the team placed miniaturized archival GPS tags on BITH captured on Mount Mansfield. Once recovered this summer, the tags will reveal precise information on BITH movements, locations, and habitat use in their Caribbean wintering grounds.
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Mike Hallworth will show how the observations you share on platforms such as iNaturalist, eBird, and eButterfly today help the Vermont Atlas of Life team make predictions about biodiversity in 2100. Every observation—no matter how common the species—helps us model species' ranges and predict how Vermont’s biodiversity will shift over time and respond to climate change. See the incredible scientific power of millions of community scientist observations at work!
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Steve Faccio will introduce the exciting, new Fairy Shrimp Survey he and his team will launch this year. Tiny jewels of vernal pool ecosystems, Fairy Shrimp live their entire lives in these temporary waters. Yet, little is known about their ecology and natural history. We know even less about what species are found in Vermont and how they are distributed across the state. This project will provide some much needed answers.
with any questions prior to the event.
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Dr. Kayla Perry collecting beetles out in the field. Photo courtesy of Dr. Perry. |
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March marks the halfway point in our Suds & Science series—we know, hard to believe! This month's presenter is Dr. Kayla Perry, a post-doctoral researcher in the Bahlai Lab at Kent State University. Her research focuses on the effects of environmental changes on insect communities across spatial and temporal scales, and her talk will definitely be a must-watch for anyone interested in bumble bees and other invertebrates. Please make sure to register soon!
Please note that this event will take place on Wednesday March 2.
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We're Hiring a Communications Assistant! |
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The VCE Team on a staff outing to Mt. Ascutney. © Emily Anderson |
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Are you passionate about conservation, science communications, and outreach? Then, consider joining our team!
We seek a Communications Assistant to work alongside our Director of Science Communications, supporting both regular communications operations (like eNews!) and longer-term projects in alignment with our communications plan. Candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning February 21.
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Eastern Hemlocks, the targets of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestations in the eastern US.
© Kent McFarland
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Did you know that most invasive insect infestations are first discovered not by professionals, but by alert community members? The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program is offering a free online Forest Pest First Detectors course. This introductory course will train participants to identify the signs and symptoms of common forest invasive pests of concern: Emerald Ash Borer, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Spotted Lanternfly and Tree-of-heaven; Jumping Worms, Oak Wilt, and Beech Leaf Disease. For this special version of the course, they are partnering with Audubon Vermont, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, VT Fish and Wildlife, and the VT Dept. of Forests, Parks, and Recreation to include content exploring the relationship between invasive insects, forest health, and bird populations.
The 8-week course is free and self-paced and runs February 21 to April 17. It will include six optional live webinars and three optional field trips. Click here to learn more about the course.
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Photo-observation of the Month
Sharp-shinned Hawk
by Craig Hunt
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A Sharp-shinned Hawk stalks thickets in search of small birds, which can make up to 90% of this
species’ diet. © Craig Hunt
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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!
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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
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