Hello Vermont Birders!

This morning at the North Branch Nature Center, the fields and riverside
were alive with American Redstarts, Yellow Warblers, Veery, and Indigo
Bunting, all tuning up their singing voices to greet visitors for this
Saturday's BirdFest!  The Chestnut-sided Warblers were particularly excited
for the event, saying that they would be "Pleased, pleased, pleased to meet
you!"

BirdFest will run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., kicking off with an early morning
birding by ear walk led by Nona Estrin.  The rest of the day will be filled
with activities perfect for people of all ages and experience levels.  With
bird banding demos, bird walks and workshops, live raptor presentations,
art exhibits, wood carving demonstrations, storytelling and a children's
activity tent, we have everyone covered!  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.  Moretown Elementary
School will be grilling hot dogs and serving up watermelon for lunch as way
to raise funds for next schol year's E.C.O. program at their school.
 BirdFest is free for children and $10 for adults.  Here is a link to our
BirdFest homepage: http://www.northbranchnaturecenter.org/birdfest.html

Hope to see you there!

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