On Saturday, May 31st, from 7am to 1:30pm, the North Branch Nature Center is hosting its 3rd Annual Birds & Birding Festival: BirdFest 2014. BirdFest offers a fun-filled day for the whole family. The line-up of walks, talks, workshops, and activities will be perfect for all ages and experience levels. If you like birds, then this festival is for you!

For those early birds eager to start at 7am, guided walks will explore the fields, forests, and river around the North Branch Nature Center for the numerous migrants and nesting birds on the property. By 9am, the festivities will be fully underway. See live birds up close through raptor shows and bird banding demonstrations. For kids, the children’s activity tent will be a popular destination filled with games, arts & crafts, storytelling, and both self- and naturalist-led activities. There will also be a series of events for adults including “birding by ear” workshops and bird walks throughout the morning. Winners of the second annual Bird Drawing Contest will be announced, which last year attracted 120 young artists. We will also be holding open judging for our first ever Amateur Bird Photography Contest.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Biologist John Buck will be presenting the keynote on the status of the Bald Eagle in Vermont. Bald Eagles have made an incredible recovery in the state over the past 20 years, and John will provide an update on their current status.

Admission to BirdFest is just $10 for adults, and free for children. The Nature Center is located at 713 Elm Street (route 12) two miles north of downtown Montpelier. Contact the North Branch Nature Center with any questions at (802) 229-6206 or visit www.NorthBranchNatureCenter.org/birdfest.html for a complete schedule.