Join us at the Missisquoi Refuge for our Migrator Bird Day(s) events!

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From: Friends of Missisquoi <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 9, 2019 13:52
To: Friends of Missisquoi
Subject: Join us for Migratory Bird Day - May 17th & 18th!

The Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, and the Friends of Missisquoi, will celebrate World Migratory Bird Day<https://www.facebook.com/events/404750910310536/> with a series of events on Friday and Saturday, May 17th and 18th!  All events are free and open to the public, please join us for any or all of our activities.

Our annual Art of the Refuge show<https://www.facebook.com/events/342416029702930/> will begin with an Artist’s Reception on Friday, May 17th at 5:30pm.  The show features artwork related to landscapes or wildlife found on the refuge and will be on display in the refuge headquarters building through July 19th.

Following the reception, Birding Educator Maeve Kim will be speaking on “Birds, Beef and Brussel Sprouts: Vermont’s Birds and our Long Agricultural Heritage<https://www.facebook.com/events/356156435248106/>”.  Her talk begins at 6:30pm at the Refuge Headquarters.

Saturday is a busy day of birding!  The 3rd week of May is a busy time for migratory birds in Vermont, and the day provides a ‘snapshot’ view of birds on the refuge.  Since 1999, we have documented 162 species of birds during these events.  You can see our past results on eBird:  https://ebird.org/profile/MTA5NzMzMw/US-VT-011

We’ll begin the day at 5:30am with an early morning walk on the Maquam / Black Creek trails.  (note: this may change to Mac’s Bend Road based on water levels on the trail).

At 7:30am, we’ll have a brief welcoming meeting at the Refuge visitor’s center and will get a headcount for lunch.  We’ll then break up into groups to walk / tour different areas of the refuge, with guided walks planned for the Stephen Young Marsh and Old Railroad Passage.  The visitor center will remain open for anyone that would prefer to explore the Discovery Trail or area around the ponds.  (currently only the boardwalk area of the Discovery Trail is accessible due to water levels).

At 11am, groups will return to the Visitor’s center to compare and compile their sightings.  A pizza lunch will be provided.  Tom Rogers from Vermont Fish & Wildlife will be our guest speaker, followed by Refuge Manager Ken Sturm’s discussion on the days results.

The Friends’ Store at the Refuge headquarters will be open Friday and Saturday – with everything 25% off for the weekend!

For anyone interested in further birding opportunities, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies is holding a 1-day ‘Biothon’ on May 18th in an attempt to document as many species of wildlife as possible.  They’ll have a team at the Missisquoi Refuge looking for crepuscular species.  They’ll be at the Stephen Young Marsh at 4:45am and again from 8-10pm, hoping to find whippoorwills, woodcock and owls.  Learn more, and sign up to join them on their website:  https://vtecostudies.org/wildlife/wildlife-watching/birdathon/

Map to the Refuge HQ / Visitor Center<https://goo.gl/maps/L4FRJ9H2MjpZHg64A>