Things You'll Need:
- Bird watching guide
- Spotting scope or binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Notebook
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Step 1
Start birding in Vermont at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, with its wetlands, open fields and forests. The Refuge attracts huge flocks of waterfowl during migrations, since it is on the Atlantic Flyway and provides important breeding and nesting habitat for dozens of bird species. The Refuge protects the Great Blue Heron rookery on Shad Island, which is the largest in Vermont.
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Step 2
Enjoy the Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Addison County. The park's grasslands support a variety of bird species, including the Grasshopper Sparrow and Upland Sandpiper. In the winter the Park hosts raptors such as Snowy and Short-eared Owls, Peregrine and Gyrfalcon. A large portion of the area is a refuge and off-limits to the general public.
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Step 3
Travel to Herrick's Cove in Rockingham where more than 200 bird species have been identified. Several priority marsh birds inhabit the territory around the Cove, including Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Sora and Virginia Rail. The highly diverse habitats make this a crucial stopover for migratory birds as well.
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Step 4
See a great variety of bird species at the Bragdon Preserve near Woodstock. Over 120 species have been identified in the area of the Preserve. Habitats in the Preserve include upland forests, fields and meadows.
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Step 5
Print out maps, guides, species identification and checklists before starting out on a Vermont birding trip. The resource websites listed with this article offer in-depth and more detailed up-to-date information on Vermont bird species.
