Winter avian residents arrive and the occasional rare birds move through the Island in December, as winter begins.
Keep up with bird sightings through the Bird News column, and send reports of bird sightings to birds@vineyardgazette.com.
Photography
There's novelty in snow that falls overnight, squeaks underfoot in morning and yields to broom rather than shovel. In the glittering sunlight of early morning, the snow blossoms sparkled down from trees in puffs of breeze until it almost seemed to be snowing from a sky of brilliant blue.
January 8, 2020
On Saturday birders fanned out across the Island to count individuals and species in the 60th annual Christmas Bird Count, taking place around the world.
January 6, 2020
Henry David Thoreau, who went walking in woods and fields more than a century ago found the experience decidedly therapeutic.
January 5, 2020
The calendar points to the moment of Tuesday midnight, to the tolling of the Island bells, to that time in our lives when old becomes new and we wonder what lies ahead.
December 29, 2019
The year began with an emergency birth, as six-pound, 15-ounce Solstice Hannagan came into the world just short of the Tisbury drawbridge - the first Vineyard baby of 2019.
December 26, 2019
The Beach Road music festival and the Martha's Vineyard book festival lured hundreds of Islanders to panel discussions and one-on-one discussions with favorite authors.
December 26, 2019
In 2019 the Vineyard said goodbye to beloved Islanders.
December 23, 2019
Winter avian residents arrive and the occasional rare birds move through the Island in December, as winter begins.
December 23, 2019
The moods of the Christmas season are many and wondrous. They speak of joy and of hope, of laughter and of love, of warmth and of peace on earth, good will to all people.
December 22, 2019
We know this season in our bones. In the days around The first snowfall stripped down those few leaves that were left as a valiant but futile rear-guard on the gray branches of trees, and winter coats came out to stay. Beaches are lonely and wind-pierced places.
December 18, 2019
The Minnesingers closed out Christmas in Edgartown as night fell on the town, filling the pews of the Old Whaling Church with carols, the young voices lifting off and making their way through the empty streets of town, all aglow with storefront windows, lampposts and the warmth of Christmas cheer
December 16, 2019
The rain stopped just in time for the Christmas in Edgartown parade. Santa, smiles and holiday spirit were everywhere.
December 14, 2019
Chilmark Chocolates sent shock waves across the Island with their intentions to close, and on Dec. 18, they will close for good after 33 years.
December 12, 2019
Snow fell on the Island this week. Though still early December, it was beautiful, frosting oaks and pines with fluffy white snowflakes just as town workers and shopkeepers on the Vineyard began their annual labor of festooning streets and store windows with holiday lights.
December 12, 2019
Even as the days grow shorter and darker and the first day of winter approaches, Edgartown turns brighter and depends on the lovely strings of seasonal lights and decorations to illuminate the coming of Christmas in Edgartown weekend.
December 12, 2019
The wonders of snow falling up-Island fascinates and enchants us. Henry David Thoreau perhaps phrased it best: "How full of creative genius is the air in which these [snowflakes] are generated. I should hardly admire them more if real stars fell and lodged on my coat!"
December 12, 2019