Featuring John Buck, Wildlife Biologist for the Department of Fish and Wildlife
John Buck is a wildlife biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and he’s in charge of the State’s nongame bird project. He’s also on a mission to get every Vermonter to enjoy the natural world around them – and in particular, the birds.
“Everyone is a birder on some level. The trick is not to feel diminished or intimated just because you don’t know 174 species by their song alone. Be proud of the fact that you can identify robins and blue jays. They’re incredibly interesting birds if you just watch them for a few minutes. They’re always sizing each other up and looking for food. In fact, they’re always doing something whether its resting or playing. There’s a great similarity between us and them. We all sleep, play and work. We’ve placed humans at the top of ladder because we were the ones who could write the rules, but really, there’s so much similarity between us and our wild birds. And there are so many amazing things about birds. Sure, humans can build computers and thrushes can’t, but thrushes can sing two notes at once while we can’t even get close to doing that. Humans are always looking down while birds are constantly looking up. Maybe we should be looking up too. We should be in awe of the diversity of life surrounding us. It is truly astounding.”
One of John’s most important roles is to oversee the state’s nongame bird project. This is a state-wide responsibility involving over 200 bird species that make use of Vermont habitats at some point during their annual life cycle. Of particular concern are the 13 Threatened and Endangered species and the 51 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Keeping attuned to their plight is accomplished by monitoring population trends and habitat status through analysis of national, regional, and local survey data. Nearly half of the nongame birds listed as threatened or endangered live in grasslands. That’s one of the main reasons why John is investing so much time in trying to conserve grassland habitat.
There’s not much of this grassland nesting habitat left in the state. Only 4% of the state is grassland habitat and John works to conserve it through a variety of methods. “We work with landowners to develop mowing schedules that ensure fields are mowed in a way that also allows grassland birds to nest and thrive there. I also partner with solar developers to find a way to develop solar fields that are beneficial for both the birds and renewable energy. It requires a lot of cooperation because modifying development plans and managing the remaining fields is so important when it comes to conserving what’s left of grassland birds’ ideal nesting habitat.”
John works cooperatively with utility companies and related developers of solar to incorporate grassland bird habitat into their construction plans. The goal is to end up with the same value and function that the habitat provided prior to development. This cooperative development approach between utilities, shopping centers, and housing developments all play a role in conserving precious grassland habitat.
Vermont’s active farming culture also helps native grassland birds thrive. These managed landscapes support natural systems. If you’re interested in learning how to recognize these rare grassland birds, John suggests you start on the farm.
“If you’re looking to see grassland birds, I’d recommend heading to Addison county, drive along a road and simply listen. Any field will do. At first, you won’t see the birds, you’ll just hear them. They’re tiny little things, half the size of blue jays. They’re song birds so they’re not beautiful in the traditional sense of the word. They don’t have striking colors like a cardinal. They’re brown and that’s a good thing because otherwise they’d be spotted by foxes and other predators. Another good place to look for grassland birds is in the Connecticut River Valley.”
Wondering when’s the best time of year is best to hear them sing? June is the ideal month. And, according to John, “There’s really no better time in Vermont than June. Start out by looking along the field’s perimeter. You’ll see birds of prey and you may catch a glimpse of other mammals. You must be patient and you’ll need a bit of luck but what a better way to spend a day than in nature?”
When it comes to Earth Day wisdom, John has a friendly reminder for all of us. “This is the best planet in the universe and in the end, it’s the only one we’re going to inhabit in our lifetimes, so let’s treat it like it’s our home. Treat it like the life support system it is. Every day, it’s important that we really think about the things we buy and how we treat the land.”
Well said, John.
Photos:
- John on the lookout for birds (Photo by Tom Rogers, VTFWD)
- Image of Bobolink (Photo by VTFWD)