Dorset Vermont, A Beautiful Colonial New England Town in Southern Vermont

What is it about Dorset that people love so much?

Maybe it's the peace and quiet. Perhaps it's the white clapboard New England architecture, the well-kept houses overlooking the town green. For some people, it's the mountains and clean country air. For others, it's Dorset's role in the American Revolution.

Maybe it's our back roads, birds and wildlife, maple covered hillsides, walking trails and stone walls. It might be our handful of country inns and sophisticated restaurants, our summer theatre, artists and artisans, nearby music festivals and fairs, or our wonderful year-round outdoor activities… or the interesting people who live here.

For almost 150 years (since 1868, when the first "summer people" came to Dorset), visitors have discovered countless reasons to love our little town. Fascinating day trips, including museum visits, cheese tours and dirt road adventures, will make your visit memorable. See map.

Welcome to Dorset!

September 2010 Bird Notes

Black-crowned Night Heron

Usually seen around the Dead Creek/Lake Champlain area in Vermont, a lone, immature Black-crowned Night Heron recently was recorded at the Hildene marshland, south of Manchester. He was clearly exhausted and resting before migrating to southern the U. S. or into South America.

This medium sized heron sports grey wings, a black cap and back and white underparts. Its color, size, stocky body and short neck distinguish it from the other two heron species commonly seen in Vermont, the Great Blue Heron and the Green Heron. Immature birds are streaky brown and could be confused with the American Bittern.

Although they may fly around during the day, night herons hunt in their wetland habitat throughout the night and early morning when the other herons are sleeping. They eat small fish, frogs, insects and small birds making them unpopular with other herons.

The Black-crowned Night Heron is the most widespread heron in the world. It often can be seen nesting in trees with other herons. Apparently they will brood in other Black-crowned nests being unable to distinguish their own.

See Previous Bird Notes

For more information about birding in the Dorset
and surrounding area email the .

Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 121 · Dorset VT 05251
chamber@dorsetvt.com