Hi VTBirders,

In just under two weeks, on June 1st, the North Branch Nature Center will
be holding our 2nd annual BirdFest.  The line-up of walks, talks,
workshops, and activities will be perfect for all ages and experience
levels.  The day will kick off at 7 a.m. with a birding by ear walk led by
Nona Estrin.  The rest of the day will be filled with bird banding demos,
bird walks and workshops, live raptor presentations, art exhibits, wood
carving demonstration, storytelling and activities for children.  At noon,
a keynote presentation will be delivered by Margaret Fowle, of Vermont
Audubon, on the iconic Peregrine Falcon and its current status in Vermont.
 Her talk will be followed by a presentation with Vermont naturalist and
author of the award-winning book "Naturally Curious", Mary Holland.  Lunch
will be sold by students from Moretown Elementary School as way to raise
funds for next year's E.C.O. program at the school.  BirdFest is free for
children and $10 for adults.  Here is a link to our BirdFest homepage:
http://www.northbranchnaturecenter.org/birdfest.html

Also on display at BirdFest will be entrants of our first ever Bird Drawing
Contest for young artists.  Students in K - 8th grades chose one of three
birds to draw in its natural habitat: Common Yellowthroat, Belted
Kingfisher, or Eastern Bluebird.  Judging for the contest will take place
this week, Wednesday 5/22 through Friday 5/24.  We would like to invite
local birders to come by the North Branch Nature Center anytime before 5:30
p.m. on these days to support the efforts made by these young artists by
partaking in the judging.  It is certainly worth the stop if only to
witness the fantastic artwork produced these budding artists!

See you at BirdFest and happy birding!

- Ken Benton




-- 
Ken Benton
AmeriCorps Environmental Educator
North Branch Nature Center
713 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
work: 802-229-6206
cell: 513-505-7484

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we
see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with
love and respect." ~Aldo Leopold