Birds of Vermont Museum and Great Birdwatching Spots
Birdwatching is such a peaceful pastime, and there’s a long, impressive list of birds in our area of the Mad River Valley. The Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington is a great place to start, about 40 minutes north of West Hill House B&B. This non-profit institution is dedicated to educating the public about the birds of Vermont and their importance in our delicate ecosystem. The highlight of any trip to the museum is the collection of nearly 500 lifelike carvings by Bob Spear, a Vermont naturalist and talented woodcarver.
The Birds of Vermont Museum also sits on a 100-acre nature preserve, ideal for birdwatching in the wild. However, there is no shortage of fantastic hiking trails and birding hotspots in the Mad River Valley, nestled in the Green Mountains. An excellent resource for anyone interested in birdwatching in Vermont is the Mad Birders group, an informal club that meets in the spring for guided walks around the area. Some rare species that call the valley home are the Bicknell’s Thrush, the Blackpoll Warbler, and the Golden-Crowned Kinglet.
The garden grounds at our bed and breakfast in Vermont are ideal for this calming pastime, either from our sunroom, front porch, gazebo, near the pond, or out in the wooded glens. You’ll likely catch sight of Nuthatches, Robins, Blue Jays, and brilliant Yellow Goldfinches. While spring is the busiest time of year for these flyers, you’ll be privy to a critter show at our B&B in many seasons. After a peaceful day birdwatching in Vermont, you’ll love retreating to our Inn, our cozy guest rooms are curated for comfort, and the list of included amenities is vast. Check out our upcoming availability and book your room today!
Head to the Birds of Vermont Museum & These Birdwatching Spots
The Birds of Vermont Museum is such a lovely outing for birding enthusiasts. First, you’ll want to explore the permanent exhibits of lifelike dioramas filled with intricate carvings of the species that call Vermont home. There’s also a rotating display of local artists, a gift shop, and special programs all year.
Explore the 100-acre nature preserve surrounding the Birds of Vermont Museum for some fantastic birdwatching in the wild. There are beautiful trails alive with birdsong for strolls, relax in the pollinator garden, and check out the tree house and the bird blind. This peaceful sanctuary is a fantastic place for a picnic, and we think you’ll thoroughly enjoy a trip to the Birds of Vermont Museum.
For those who would instead head out into the wildness for birdwatching in the Mad River Valley, here are a few great spots not far from our bed and breakfast in Vermont:
- Ward Hill Road: This unimproved road can be traversed on foot, and it’s a great place to see different birds like Chestnut-sided Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Hermit Thrushes, and Ovenbirds thanks to its open spaces, woodlands, and water.
- Mad River Path/Greenway: Take a leisurely stroll along the Mad River and explore its diverse wetland and river ecosystems, with shrubby thicket and grassland habitats. More than sixty species, including American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested, and Willow Flycatchers, have been observed nesting or migrating in the area.
- East Warren Road: This path showcases vast grasslands and farm fields lined with shrubby thickets. As this route is frequently used, be mindful of traffic and look for safe spots to pull off. Some of the best birdwatching will be found at the pond area roughly two miles outside the village of Waitsfield.
- The Long Trail & Lincoln Gap Road: There’s a beautiful and wildlife-rich segment of the Long Trail, a route that spans the length of the state, near our area of Warren and our bed and breakfast in Vermont. You’ll just be a quick drive to some of the best trailheads to discover a diverse collection of the birds of Vermont. Look for higher elevation birds like Golden-crowned Kinglets, Blackpoll, Magnolia, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Swainson’s Thrush, and the elusive Bicknell’s Thrush.
Here’s the full list of Mad River Valley birdwatching trails from the Mad Birders group. As a guest at our bed and breakfast in Vermont, please feel free to ask your Innkeepers for directions to these birding hotspots and other hikes in the area to spot our local wildlife.
Birdwatching from the Gardens our Bed and Breakfast in Vermont
Many birds of Vermont call our stunning nine-acre property home at West Hill House B&B. As a guest, you’ll have complete access to our garden grounds for peaceful strolls full of wildlife viewing. Find more than enough comfortable spots outdoors, as well as fantastic viewing opportunities from our shared sunroom space. We’re also located in a central location to some of the best birding hotspots in the Mad River Valley. Whatever you do, don’t forget to pack your binoculars!
Inside the Inn, relish in our cozy and welcoming space. We often hear from guests about how they feel at home, and this comfortable ambiance helps them unwind and relax. Each of our nine lodging accommodations is unique, with fine furnishings, luxurious amenities, and special touches to make your stay unforgettable. Our shared rooms at our bed and breakfast in Vermont are a fantastic place to enjoy your time together, either over a rousing game of pool, a traditional scotch tasting, or by the cozy wood-burning fireplace.
We’ll treat you to a splendid homemade breakfast each morning at our bed and breakfast in Vermont. We love to include seasonal and local ingredients whenever possible, including Vermont cheeses and maple syrup. Our dining table is another gathering place where guests often get to know one another, and we’ve even seen a few lasting friendships form over our many years as innkeepers. Start planning your next getaway to Vermont, and reserve your room today!
