Into the thick of it... literally.

Training began this week, to give us all a taste of what we had gotten ourselves into. I am one of ten individuals that will be working on the project known as Mountain Birdwatch 2.0. I have been given the okay to tell you who I work for. The project is one of a few run by Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Training was held at the office location in Norwich, VT and later on in the Green Mountains and part of the Long Trail. The photo is of the window of the "lodge" we stayed in while we were there. Pretty cushy if you ask me. But, no, there was no electricity or running water. But, four walls, a roof, a door, and two sleeping platforms are pretty sweet.


View from the porch of the lodge which looked out over a small pond and in the great distance, the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The vegetation was incredibly thick in spots just feet off the trail, which we discovered while taking data sampling at points along our route. There were places where the young Balsam Fir were so thick that I couldn't even see my feet beneath me!


Now, you may be wondering who this guy is. Allow me to introduce you to Finneus Fitz Callie-Callie (Finn for short). The brilliant custom Callie-Callie creation made by Vermont Urban Farmgirl artist Erinn Simon. The tough guy bear-tamer with a big heart will be accompanying me on my journey through the wilderness. I promised Erinn I'd try to keep him out of trouble, but there's just no telling. But here, he poses in front of the scenic pond in front of the lodge.


We spotted some Ruffed Grouse eggs on the hike up. Though the lady of the nest was nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, when we passed the nest again on the way back down, the nest had been predated. No eggs left, and no evidence left behind. Bummer. Some of the other birds I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing were: Bicknell's Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, Blackpoll Warbler, Black Capped Chickadee, Winter Wren, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (all target species for Mountain Birdwatch), Dark-eyed Junco, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Raven to name more than a few.

Finally, I'll try to include an insight to my eating habits while I'm out. So, here you go!

Dinner of the week: Chicken Ramen Noodles with Tuna. This was WAY better than anticipated.

Until the next time I have Internet,

-Cal of the Wild