Join Refuge Volunteer Steve Vittum for a boat tour of the Missisquoi River
as it winds through the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.  The tour will
include a short stop outside the great blue heron rookery on Shad Island.
There will be two tours each day, from 8:30 am to 10:15 am and from 10:15
am to noon.  In case of inclement weather, the tours will held on Thursday
of the same week at the same time(s).  The tours frequently provide
opportunities to view osprey, black terns, belted kingfishers, waterfowl
and other aquatic loving birds.  The grasslands near the new headquarters
are alive with bobolinks and meadowlarks and the refuge trails provide
access to a variety of habitats where many other species can be heard and
observed.

The tours begin at the Macs Bend boat launch site.  Directions: travel west
from Swanton Village on Rt 78 to the first fishing access called "Louies
Landing".  Travel on the gravel road that proceeds north from the Louies
Landing access along the Missisquoi River approx. 1 mile to the launch
access area.
Reservations are required and each tour is limited to 8 people.  Call
868-4781 for reservations.


For those families who enjoy fins as well as feathers, the refuge will host
the Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 7 from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm.  The
derby is free but we ask that the children register with their ages before
the event.  For more information and to register call 868-4781.