Winged Wonders
• By Philip Morgan

This September, as sure as the leaves will fall from the trees, raptors from throughout the Northeastern United States and Canada will start to head south for the winter. This migration will bring thousands of raptors within sight, and often directly over, the top of Putney Mountain. As they pass by, a group of hawkwatchers will identify them, count their numbers, and send this data to the Hawk Migration of North America Association which compiles data from many sites. This allows ornithologists to study and compare migrations to past years.

The chance to see any of 16 species of raptors soar by, sometimes seemingly within arms reach, and often in large numbers, fuels the imagination and addiction that causes the volunteer hawkwatchers to spend many happy hours, often in difficult weather, watching and waiting. Throughout September and October, except for days with excessive rain, hawkwatchers strive to have someone on the top of the mountain to watch and record that day’s flight.

The Putney Mountain Hawkwatch is located on the ridgeline that extends across Putney. A dirt road transects the ridge and at the summit is the parking lot for the Putney Town Forest. (See the end of this article for directions.) From the end of the parking lot a well marked trail will lead you 3⁄4 mile to the exposed summit watch point. If you hike up to join the watchers, be sure to carry binoculars, water, a hat, and maybe even a folding chair if you can spend a bit of time waiting and watching. But do be warned, if you get to see a Bald Eagle soar by or a swirling kettle of Broadwing Hawks, you too may develop a desire to spend hours sitting, watching, and waiting. And truly good things come to those who wait. All of the watchers have a favorite sighting or day on the mountain which they love to talk about, but these days often come after hours of patient observation.

Perhaps the most often asked question is “When?.” When are they flying? When can I see them? When should I come? Although raptor migration is a natural event with wild birds of prey, years of collected data allows watchers to predict (with consideration of the weather) the arrival of flights. Because the Broad Winged Hawk makes up the highest number of raptors seen (some years over 3,000) and because they often gather together into large groups and most travel within a 10 day period, watchers know that between Sept. 10th and Sept. 20th on clear windy days, hundreds and even perhaps 1,000 raptors can be seen soaring in a single day. But in early September or late October a watcher is often rewarded with great sightings of Eagles (sometimes even Golden Eagles), Falcons and often 10 or more species of raptors can be seen in a single day, though perhaps not in great numbers.

Besides the opportunity to experience these soaring raptors, the hawkwatching also brings a chance to see the seasons change. I’ve never had a bad day at the mountain, even after sitting 8 hours in fog to see a single hunting Red-tailed Hawk. The chance (perhaps excuse) to sit and watch a small part of this amazing natural phenomenon brings joy to my heart and soul, pulls me away from the “real” world and lets me spend time in the natural world which, though often ignored, is vital to our lives.

So this September take a little hike and join us as we become witnesses to one of nature’s greatest show. The fascinating world of freedom and flight seen in these passing raptors. To find out more about raptor migration across the country, go to the Hawk Migration Association of North America’s website, www.hmana.org. There is a link there for Hawk Watch sites across the country.

To find Putney Mountain From I-91: Take exit 4 (Putney). Go north on Rt 5 into the town of Putney. In the center of town make a left onto Westminster West Road and follow for about 1 mile. Look for West Hill Road on the left and take that road for another few miles. Look for Putney Mountain Road on the right and take that road (dirt) for a few more miles until you reach the high point. There will be a parking area off to the right through the trees. Park there and then follow the dominant trail along the ridge until you get to the clearing. Walking time is about 15 minutes.

Olallie Daylily Gardens, South Newfane, VT

This lovely garden makes you feel like you have stepped into an Impressionists painting. There are six acres of daylilies, irises and many other perennials. Over 800 varieties of daylilies are grown here, so the diversity of colors is amazing. This display is truly an artists pleasure, which is what makes it perfect for the “Photography in the Garden” program that the Nature Museum is having at Olallie Gardens on August 2nd (see calendar).

Olallie Gardens also maintains over four hundred high bush blueberries in three patches. Pick your own is from mid July through August. There are at least six varieties which are organically grown and delicious.

In the woods and fields, the farm also harbors various wildlife habitats and natural plantings. You’ll find frog and fish ponds, occupied bird houses, rock gardens, bog plantings, the owners pet border collies and many pollinators making their way from flower to flower. There are tables with umbrellas and benches for your picnics.

Olallie Daylily Gardens is located at 129 Augur Hole Road in South Newfane. For more information and directions call (802) 348-6614. Regular visiting hours are daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, the farm is closed on Tuesdays. For more information check out www.daylilygarden.com

Summertime
By Margo Ghia, Executive Director

It’s summertime. I know this not only because of the sweltering hot weather we have had in June or the fireflies that flit over my garden throughout the night, but I know this because everywhere I turn there are fun and engaging activities to get myself and my family members outdoors. One day I am attending a gardening class on how to divide perennials and the next my family and I are exploring a hiking trail with the assistance of a new interpretive guide. Instead of feeling harried, this constant activity outdoors has me feeling both internally peaceful and physically energized.

Looking over The Nature Museum’s calendar of events, you know it is summer. There are activities for all members of a family to get outside and delight in the richness of our region. This summer, we offer several opportunities for parents and children to enjoy time together learning something new (our family camps in July), or delighting in the magic of the outdoors (our butterfly tea party). If you are interested in exploring the outdoors and focusing in on gaining new knowledge, join us for a Mushroom Walk in Grafton. If you want to learn a new skill, join us for the garden photography workshop or our offering on how to make herbal salves, maybe you will even spark a new passion in yourself!

Whatever your interest, there is something for everyone this summer at the Museum. I hope to see you here!

Astronomy from the Ground Up - Educator’s Course

Lynn Morgan, Staff Naturalist, was chosen this year to be trained in teaching Astronomy through a national organization called Astronomy From the Ground Up. The Nature Museum will be offering an Astronomy focused educator training in September as part of our new connection with the Astronomy From the Ground Up organization.

Astronomy From the Ground Up (AFGU) is an organization that is devoted to getting people interested in astronomy through hands-on activities. The educator training course will be a demonstration of eight AFGU activities; participants will be given information on how to access the AFGU web site and how to get signed up on the AFGU Online resource site for AFGU alumni only. This online site is a valuable resource where you can ask questions & get answers from astronomers, download new activities, and be kept up to date on astrological events.

The course will take place Saturday, September 13, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you are an educator who is interested, please call 802-843-2111 to pre-register.

Educational Insects On the Road
By Betsy Bennett-Stacey, Curator

The collections of The Nature Museum are divided between items that are designated for exhibit and display and items that are designated for educational use. We recently acquired some specimens that have proved to be very useful for educating program participants about insects and their relatives. These insect specimens are contained in Lucite cubes that can be passed around and explored by hands young and old. These three dimensional, real specimens help learners to understand about natural science in a way that drawings, photos and television cannot. They are the next best thing to seeing the live animals in the wild. The Museum will take these specimens on the road this summer when we travel around the state teaching “Insect Investigation” programs at libraries from Shelburne to Bennington and many towns in between.