December eNews

eNews | December 2020

A young moose in Rochester, VT. © Ed Sharron

A Field Guide to December

December is off to a gentle start this year; the annual blanket of snow and ice has yet to drape the land. Cozy up with our Field Guide to the month and a warm cup of tea to learn how species from birds to bats and mice to moose face the coming cold-weather challenges.

Help Track Tagged Wildlife by

Hosting a Motus Tower on Your Property

Examples of Motus tower arrays on Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick (left) and in a field (right). Photos courtesy of Birds Canada.

If you own property in Vermont or New Hampshire, you have an incredible opportunity this winter to benefit wildlife populations and make a real contribution to conservation science by hosting a Motus tower. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a collaborative research effort, organized by Birds Canada, that uses radio telemetry arrays scattered across the landscape to track movements of bats, dragonflies, and birds that are carrying miniature Motus tags. Learn more about the Motus system and how you can get involved on VCE's blog.

JoAnne Russo Receives VCE's 2020

Julie Nicholson Community Science Award

JoAnne Russo hard at work identifying moths. © Gerry Biron

VCE's Julie Nicholson Community Science Award is in honor of Julie Nicholson's extraordinary passion and commitment to birds and wildlife conservation through her many years of tireless work as a community scientist. This lifetime achievement award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies Julie's dedication to the important role that community science plays in wildlife conservation. We're proud to present this year's award to JoAnne Russo.

Joanne’s contributions to better understanding the conservation status of Vermont's wildlife (especially moths) have been extraordinary–and for this, the staff and board of VCE are proud to present JoAnne with the 2020 Julie Nicholson Community Scientist Award. Learn more about JoAnne on our blog!

Jason Crooks Receives VCE's Inaugural

Community Scientist of the Year Award

Jason Crooks on Mountain Birdwatch duty. © Sage Luksevish

To further recognize the accomplishments and dedication of volunteers who contribute to our science and conservation work, VCE has created a new annual award–VCE Community Scientist of the Year. We are pleased to present the inaugural 2020 award to Jason Crooks, Mountain Birdwatch community scientist extraordinaire!

VCE biologist Jason Hill, who oversees the Mountain Birdwatch program, offers a tribute in honor of Jason Crooks’ unwavering commitment to the program, especially in the face of a global pandemic in his blog on VCE's website.

Vermont Winter Finch Report 2020

Close-up of a female Pine Grosbeak feeding on crabapples. © Nathaniel Sharp

"Though winter is only just beginning, numbers for just about every single irruptive winter species are far higher across the state than in previous years," reports VCE Data Technician and expert birder, Nathaniel Sharp. Nathaniel compiled this enlightening update on the current status of eight species of avian winter visitors. Packed with useful information and glorious images–you won't want to miss his report. Read it on the VCE blog.

Fall 2020 Field Notes

is Now Online

In this edition, you'll learn about the astonishing number of moth species in Vermont, and catch up on news about loons, grassland birds, and more.

You can find our fall 2020 Field Notes, along with previous editions, on our website. Our biannual news magazine offers in-depth summaries of our field work, science, and conservation efforts, along with news and views from behind the scenes here at VCE.

Virtual Suds & Science

January 5, 2021

Ryan Rebozo in front of a recently burned Pitch Pine Plains community. © Robert Laucks

Hosted by VCE biologist Jason Hill, Suds & Science is a scientist-led community discussion that provides a forum for science fans (like you) to engage with an expert through compelling personal narratives, to gain understanding on a particular scientific research topic. These discussions have historically taken place at a warm and inviting Norwich tavern, with foamy beverages in hand, but due to COVID-19, this season Suds & Science will meet virtually (so BYOB!) in an interactive interview-style format. Mark your calendars for our first event:

January 5 | Ryan Rebozo | New Jersey Pinelands Preservation Alliance

"A community approach to conserving rare plant communities

in the New Jersey Pinelands"

We'll post the registration link on both VCE's Suds & Science page and on our Events page in mid-December. We hope to see you online!

Taking Stock (and giving it!)

If you own stocks, you have likely seen significant gains this year. Donating appreciated assets yields two tax benefits: the tax deduction is the same amount as for a gift of cash (you must have owned the asset for at least one year), and you avoid paying capital gains tax.

If you’d like to donate appreciated stock but retain your investment in the same company, consider a “charitable swap.” You donate appreciated shares of stock to VCE and use the cash you’d otherwise have donated to immediately purchase new shares in the same company. VCE will receive the benefit of the stock value, your portfolio doesn’t change, and you have removed the capital gain in the appreciated shares.

Remember: these are some ideas to discuss with your tax advisor. They may not apply to your situation.

However you choose to support VCE at 2020 year-end, we thank you!

Gifts for the Conservation-minded People

on Your Gift-giving List

We at VCE would like to help you out this holiday season by providing some creative, conservation-themed solutions to your gift-giving dilemmas. Here are several gift ideas that are sure to bring a smile to your favorite naturalist’s face while at the same time advancing wildlife conservation.

Be sure to order early so they arrive in time for the holidays!

Photo-observation of the Month

Ruffed Grouse by Joshua Lincoln

Congratulations to Joshua Lincoln for winning the November 2020 Photo-observation of the Month for the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist. Joshua’s image of a pair of Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus ) perched in a crabapple tree received the most ‘faves’ from other iNaturalists. Check out the runners-up (including a Hooded Merganser swallowing a crayfish) on our blog.

Ruffed Grouse are a species familiar to many Vermonters, though some may not be aware of the fascinating winter footwear adaptation these grouse utilize to make it through our harsh, snowy winters. Starting in fall, small, fleshy projections called “pectinations” begin to grow along their toes. In winter, once each toe is outfitted with these flashy fringes, Ruffed Grouse have the advantage of increased surface area on their feet, allowing them to walk more easily across the snow-covered forest floor.

Visit the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNa turalist, 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