Bird Walk
Saturday, January 10th
9:00 - 10:30 am
Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks traverse uneven terrain on forest and meadow trails and around the main house. Meet at the Welcome Center parking lot.
January Bird Note: While pigeons, or Rock Doves, are not common birds seen at Hildene (except, now, in the dene) they are certainly one of the most recognized birds and can be found throughout the world. The pigeon/dove family is one of only three bird families known to produce "crop milk" to feed their young. The others are flamingos and the Emperor Penguin (male only). The thick protein and fat-rich, cottage cheese-like crop milk is secreted to a cheek pouch from the bird’s crop. Squabs, young birds, feed on this during the first two weeks after hatching. They are social birds flocking together to feed, nest and fly. They mate for life, cooing to communicate.
No registration is required. Call Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click the button if you have questions.
Basket Weaving Workshop
Sunday, January 18th
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Winter is the perfect time to learn to weave your own basket, so you’ll be ready to harvest veggies, collect eggs and/or pick berries this summer! The art of basketry is an ancient craft . Baskets have been found in Egypt that date to 4000 B.C. Long before the arrival of European settlers to New England, indigenous peoples were expert basket makers. The Abenaki use materials such as birch bark, sweet grass and splints (thin, flexible strips of wood). Program participants will weave a 10” buttock basket, also called an egg basket, using cane and reed. No experience necessary.
$40 Members / $45 Non-members, which includes materials fee.
Space is limited. Registration required by Wednesday, January 14. Call Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click the button below to register.
Bookmark Felting Workshop
Sunday, February 1st
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Gather in the greenhouse, bring your favorite book, sip some tea, and learn how to felt whimsical bookmarks using a mix of roving from Hildene’s flock of Corriedale sheep and Huacaya alpaca with Hildene Farm Agriculture Manager and Educator Kim Pinsonneault. Felted bookmarks are gentle on both books and hands and make lovely gifts.
$30 members /$35 nonmembers, which includes materials fee.
Limited to 15 participants. Registration required by Thursday, January 29. Call Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click the button below to register.
Bird Walk
Saturday, February 7th
9:00 - 10:30 am
Join local birders to gather long-term data on the presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations. Appropriate for birders of all skill levels, the walks traverse uneven terrain on forest and meadow trails and around the main house. Meet at the Welcome Center parking lot.
February Bird Note: Red Crossbills and White-winged Crossbills are medium-sized finches with distinctively crossed bills adapted to extract seeds from spruce, fir, pine and other conifer tree cones. When they pry into a cone, the crossed bill tips come together. With some twisting and turning of their heads, they force a gap between the cone scales. They then use their tongues to retrieve the seed inside. Crossbills are largely nomadic, following cone production. Because cone production in the north has been low this year, there is a prediction that this will be an eruption year: finches will be heading south looking for food. Crossbills flock year-round. They often call in flight and can be spotted feeding at the tops of conifers. Each species has its own feeding niche. While there have not been any sightings of the White-winged Crossbills at Hildene yet, there have been sightings of the Red Crossbill.
No registration is required. Call Stephanie at (802) 367-7960 or click the button if you have any questions.
