Vermont

Scenes from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Since 2007, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies has been a force for research and conservation for wildlife across the Americas — as well as right in its own backyard.

By Heather Marcus|May 31 2018| Print icon

Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Two mist-netted Bicknell's Thrush, a young juvenile seen on the left & adult on the right.

Credit: Heather Marcus
At the Vermont Center for Ecostudies in Norwich, Vermont, biologists and volunteers have been monitoring the breeding birds on Mount Mansfield annually since 1992. No one else in the Northeast has studied this community of montane forest birds over such a long time period. These birds are a high priority for conservation because their habitat is very restricted (only mountaintops above ~3,000 feet in elevation); it supports some very rare species; and it faces an array of threats including development, pollution, and climate change.  —VCE executive director Chris Rimmer To learn more about VCE’s conservation work, go to vtecostudies.org.
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

View of Mount Mansfield summit known as “The Chin”, at 4,393 feet.

Credit: Heather Marcus
A view of Mount Mansfield’s summit, known as “the Chin,” at 4,393 feet.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Two mist-netted Bicknell’s Thrush, a young juvenile seen on the left & adult on the right.

Credit: Heather Marcus
Two rare Bicknell’s thrushes that were caught in mist nets as part of a VCE research project.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

A sign alerting Long Trail hikers to be careful as they pass by the mist nets along the trails.

Credit: Heather Marcus
A heads-up for hikers on the mountain’s Long Trail.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Biologist Chris Rimmer with bird bags on his wrist each holding one netted bird points out a Bicknell’s Thrush harmlessly entangled in a mist net along a trail on Mount Mansfield’s summit.

Credit: Heather Marcus
Biologist and VCE executive director Chris Rimmer stops to collect a Bicknell’s thrush from a mist net. On his wrist are soft cloth bags that each holds a netted bird.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Nate Launer, recipient of the Alexander Dickey conservation internship, with his mentor VCE Executive Director Chris Rimmer last summer working one of the trails. Nate is holding a female Blackpoll Warbler in molt, just after removal from a mist net.

Credit: Heather Marcus
Working the trails with Rimmer is Nate Launer, recipient of the Alexander Dickey Conservation Internship. Launer is holding a female blackpoll warbler in molt, just after removal from a mist net.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Chris and Nate leaving one of the mist net trails with captured birds.

Credit: Heather Marcus
Rimmer and Launer leaving one of the mist net trails with captured birds.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

Nate inspecting a banded Bicknell Thrush’s wing for ectoparasites.

Credit: Heather Marcus
Launer inspects a banded Bicknell thrush’s wing for parasites.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

A juvenile Dark-eyed Junco being held prior to banding.

Credit: Heather Marcus
A juvenile dark-eyed junco, just before banding.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

VCE’s bird banding kit, showing different sizes of uniquely-numbered leg bands.

Credit: Heather Marcus
VCE’s bird banding kit, showing different sizes of numbered leg bands strung together on wire strands.
Credit: Heather Marcus
Scenes From the Vermont Center for Ecostudies

A male Blackpoll Warbler. VCE has tracked this remarkable species on its transoceanic fall migration from Mansfield to northern South America with tiny devices called geolocators.

Credit: Heather Marcus
A male blackpoll warbler. VCE has tracked this species on its fall migration from Mount Mansfield to northern South America with tiny geolocators.
Credit: Heather Marcus

VCE Associate Director Susan Hindinger’s daughter Brooke who was assisting her mother last summer looks east along the Mansfield Ridgeline.

Credit: Heather Marcus
Brooke Hindinger, daughter of VCE associate director Susan Hindinger, looks east along the Mount Mansfield ridgeline.
Credit: Heather Marcus

SEE MORE: Blue Star Draft Horse Sanctuary | Photos Wolf Hollow Gray Wolf Sanctuary | Photos Best Places to Watch New England Birds

Heather Marcus

Heather Marcus is the senior photo editor for Yankee. She works closely with the art director and contributing photographers to tell our stories about people and place in a compelling way. Living and growing up in New England, she continues to be inspired by the communities, the landscape, and the wonderful visual opportunities the region affords.

More by Heather Marcus

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