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Mountain Birdwatch

Help Conserve high-elevation songbirds and their habitat.

Mountain forests of the Northeast face increasing risks from the effects of climate change, recreational development, tower construction, and atmospheric pollution. Of particular concern is Bicknell's Thrush, a rare, high-elevation songbird and the only bird species endemic to the northeastern U.S. and adjacent portions of Canada.   Bicknell's Thrush is the region's highest conservation priority among neotropical migratory birds.   Mountain Birdwatch needs your help monitoring this vulnerable species and four other inhabitants of the spruce-fir zone: Blackpoll Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Winter Wren, and White-throated Sparrow.   Results from this annual survey are used to improve stewardship of the most prominent peaks in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

As a Mountain Birdwatcher, you will:

  • adopt a mountain
  • receive maps, materials, Cassette recordings, identification guide and instructions
  • schedule your monitoring around other commitments
  • conduct one or two early-morning surveys each June
  • submit results for analysis
  • receive annual updates on the status of the study species


Although basic outdoor skills are required, you do not need to be an experienced bird-watcher to participate.

Please contact Dan Lambert at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science for more information at 802-457-2779 x132 or visit www.vinsweb.org .