High in the top branches glimpse Vermont s jewel-like warblers. The upper story of hardwoods host northern parula, magnolia warblers, Nashville warblers, and blackpoll. Just off the back porch of your country inn, at the edges of expansive yards, or in the rough at the golf course, woods often begin. Here cavort the wonderful birds that swoop into the field for mating and food and into the trees for nesting and safety. Vermonters celebrate the resurgent vitality of other species and care for others that are at risk.
Loons fit both categories.
In 1996 Vermonters counted a record-high of 31 pairs, many times more than our neighbors to the south. However, their numbers are still low, so we watch these shy water birds quietly from afar, especially during spring nesting and mating seasons. Once you ve enjoyed Vermont s birds from a mountain peak, from a picnic blanket in an open field, along a mountain stream and on a hiking trail, the poetry will be your own.