Hi VTBirders, This morning, a Northern Shrike was found singing from inside a honeysuckle bush at the North Branch Nature Center. We also had a Shrike (the same one?) singing here last week. Some other noteworthy (first of the year) sightings include very active Golden-crowned Kinglets, a drumming Ruffed Grouse, and a female Eastern Bluebird joining the male that has been here for a few weeks. A complete list of today's sightings is posted below, as well as a few Nature Center events that may be of interest. Have a great weekend, - Larry *Confronting the Coffee Crisis* Friday, April 2, 7:00 pm (at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier) Fee: donations welcome, food and beverages available Our morning cups of coffee connect us to a global industry and an export crisis in the tropics that is destroying livelihoods, undermining the cohesion of families and communities, and threatening ecosystems. These disturbing problems and their possible solutions are the subject of research for UVM assistant professor Ernesto Mendez, who will lead a presentation based on his book, Confronting the coffee crisis: sustaining livelihoods and ecosystems in Mexico and Central America. *Owl Prowl & Snipe Search* (Youth Event) Friday, April 9, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. There are so many great reasons to explore the forest after dark, and a new set of birds is just one reason. We’ll start at dusk by looking for snipe and woodcock and then go searching for Saw-whet, Greathorned, and Barred Owls. For all other youth birding programs, visit www.NorthBranchNatureCenter.org/youthbird.html *North Branch Nature Center - birds seen 3/26/10* Ruffed Grouse (drumming) Turkey Vulture Mourning Dove Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Northern Shrike (singing) Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee (singing) Tufted Titmouse (singing) White-breasted Nuthatch Golden-crowned Kinglet (singing) Eastern Bluebird (male has been around a few weeks, first sighting of female today) American Robin American Tree Sparrow Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco (flyover) Northern Cardinal (singing) Red-winged Blackbird (singing) Common Grackle American Goldfinch -- Larry Clarfeld Environmental Educator Youth Birding Coordinator North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm St. Montpelier, VT 05602 www.NorthBranchNatureCenter.org (802) 229-6206 [log in to unmask]