Hi VTBirders,

It's no Pochard, but we were excited to have a Northern Shrike land in the
big red maple tree outside the office windows at North Branch Nature Center
(in Montpelier).  We've affectionately come to know this tree as the "tree
of life" and have observed over 50 species of birds in it over the years!
Northern Shrike wasn't new to our "tree list," but was last seen in the
tree in January of 2009.  The bird was seen at around 1:00 and flew from
the red maple to the top of a cedar near the parking lot before we lost
track of it.  On the property overall, Shrike is seen here annually.

Good Birding,
Larry

p.s.  The Nature Center is organizing a trip to the Champlain Valley later
this month... info is below:
*
Lake Champlain Birding*
Saturday, January 19, 8:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $20 members , $25 nonmembers
Come explore the wetlands, fields and water bodies of the Champlain Valley
for waterfowl and winter birds. We’ll seek out Rough-legged Hawks, rafts of
Scaup and other waterfowl, Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs, and make a
special effort to find Short-eared Owls.

-- 
Larry Clarfeld
Environmental Educator
Youth Birding Coordinator

North Branch Nature Center
713 Elm St.
Montpelier, VT 05602

www.NorthBranchNatureCenter.org
(802) 229-6206
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