eNews | July 2021
Summer evening in the Green Mountains. © K.P. McFarland
A Field Guide to July
The dawn bird chorus now fades from northern woodlands as the hills erupt in the sparkle and drama of summer insects. Here are some July happenings to kick off your month.
First Annual West Virginia White Watch a Success
West Virginia White © K.P. McFarland
Spring is changing. The snow is melting earlier, wildflowers are blooming sooner, and trees are leafing out faster. How are West Virginia White butterflies faring? In June, butterfly watchers joined the Vermont Atlas of Life West Virginia White Watch to begin searching for answers. You can read about their results on the Vermont Atlas of Life blog.
A Bicknell’s Thrush Storm on Mansfield
An adult Bicknell’s Thrush receives a tiny GPS tag “backpack” (left) and is ready to go moments later (right). An unwitting participant in VCE’s new study to document pre-migratory, late winter movements on the species’ Greater Antillean wintering grounds, this bird will yield its geospatial secrets when it returns to Mansfield in June of 2022. © Michael Sargent
Mansfield's breeding birds proved far hardier than the ornithologists studying them during VCE's Week 4 banding session on Mt. Mansfield. Despite challenging weather, mist captures were solid, and Bicknell's Thrushes dominated, with a single-visit record of 17 individuals. Read more Week 4 highlights on the VCE blog.
Updates from the Loon Conservation Team
An adult loon on Kent's Pond spreads its wings, with chick close by. © Paul Holmes
July is here, and Vermont's lakes and ponds are bustling with loon-related activity, keeping VCE biologists and volunteers busy. This month's loon update highlights new nesting pairs and opportunities for getting involved. From presentations on loon biology and emerging threats to the annual LoonWatch count, there are activities for everyone who is fascinated by these charismatic birds. Learn more in July's loon update.
Loons nest on Kent Pond. © Paul Holmes
You can help protect loons in Vermont!
 
VCE’s Vermont Loon Conservation Project monitors and manages nesting loons, educates the public, and reaches out to boaters and anglers to keep loons safe—a proven combination that helps Vermont's population of this beloved species thrive.
 
Be part of the solution and give a gift for loons today! If you choose to donate, please note if you wish for your donation to be used specifically for loon conservation.
New loon swag is here!

VCE's Vermont Loon Conservation Project has rolled out a new line of loon attire! These striking T-shirts and sweatshirts feature the amazing work of artists Katama Murray (Teach Peace Prints) and AnnaLisa Mayer. Katama's digital drawing of a loon placidly floating on the water adorns the front, and AnnaLisa's linoleum block print of a loon wing-flap graces the back.

With these shirts, you can show your love for loons while supporting their conservation. Check them out on VCE's Bonfire page.
July Vermont Atlas of Life Missions
Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) © Kent McFarland
Vermont Moth Blitz (July 1725, 2021)

Explore Vermont's astounding moth diversity! By participating in our annual Moth Blitz, you will help the Vermont Moth Atlas develop a better understanding of the moths that call the Green Mountain State home. Over 2,200 moth species so far have been documented in Vermont, with new species being discovered all the time. Who knows, maybe you will find one! We encourage everyone, from experts to amateur enthusiasts, to find, photograph, and share their moth discoveries with the Vermont Moth Blitz during National Moth Week (July 18th-26th).

To learn more about participating, visit the Vermont Moth Blitz on iNaturalist.
Monarch © Kent McFarland
Vermont Mission Monarch Blitz (July 23 August 1, 2021)

Calling all naturalists and butterfly watching enthusiasts! It's time again for the Vermont Mission Monarch Blitz. This project is part of the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz. Our aim is to contribute a snapshot of the status of Monarch populations across Vermont each year during this critical period of their life cycle. We need your help to gather these data!

Find out more about how to participate on the Vermont Atlas of Life website.
Photo-observation of the Month
Enchrysa dissectella by Sarina
Walking Fern by Tom Norton
On left, Enchrysa dissectella, a new moth for the state of Vermont! © Sarina. On right, a Walking Fern spreads across a mossy boulder. © Tom Norton
Congratulations to Tom Norton and Sarina for winning the June 2021 Photo-observations of the Month for the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist. Sarina’s photo of Vermont’s first record of a moth called Enchrysa dissectella and Tom’s photo of a large patch of Walking Fern tied for the two most-faved observations in Vermont this month. Visit the VCE Blog for more info about these species and view fantastic images of the runners-up in the June 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 discoveriesand 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