Some winters are better than others. If you are like me, a winter that is snowy and cold enough that we keep the snow on the ground is a great winter. Sure enough, that is what we have had for the last few months.

As many of you know the refuge has asked for volunteer support every year to help us complete a variety of tasks and free up time for our small staff to do other priority work on the refuge.

Spring has definitely sprung at Missisquoi! It seems almost daily, for the last few weeks, we have seen a new (or several new) species of migratory birds show up at the refuge. It is nice to know that even when the beginning of spring is cold (and sometimes snowy!) that migratory birds continue their relentless and timeless movement north.

By all accounts it’s been a snowy winter in Vermont this year. Looking out the window of my office there is a white blanket stretching as far as I can see. For many species of wildlife, winter is a time of inactivity, migration, and hibernation. But there is more out there than meets the eye.

As fall winds down and early winter approaches, refuge work changes along with the seasons. In many ways that is one of the real benefits of working on a National Wildlife Refuge.