St. Albans Recreation
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Bird Walks with Bridget Butler

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Join Bird Diva Bridget Butler for a set of unique birding adventures this summer! Birding is a growing in popularity in the recreation world as a way for people to disconnect from their busy lives and reconnect with the landscape. Scientists & healthcare professionals are touting the positive health effects of getting outdoors, and birding is no exception! These two trips will take you to two very different habitats to get to know the birds that breed and migrate through these places. This summer Bridget will also be offering an opportunity for families to explore the outdoors at night! 


NEK Boreal Bird Trip Sunday, April 7, 2019  8am-5pm
This year we'll switch it up and head to Victory Bog Important Bird Area, another boreal bird hotspot!  We'll be on the lookout for birds like the Gray Jay, Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, and Black-backed Woodpecker.  We'll stop at various spots for short easy walks along roads and trails.


Mountaintop Birding, Sunday, June 23rd, 
6 am to 1pm

A unique opportunity to experience the birds that breed on mountaintops in our region, including the rare and elusive Bicknell's Thrush. We'll ride the tram to the top of Jay Peak and spend some time birding the mountain before returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Folks will pay for breakfast separately at the Clubhouse Cafe after our adventure. Those taking the van from St. Albans will meet at 6 am. If you'll be meeting us at Jay, please arrive by 7:15 to make our scheduled tram ride at 7:30 am. Tram ride included in registration fee.
 
 
Birding Burton Island, July 28th, 7 am - 1pm

We'll kayak out to Burton Island from Kilkare State Park and bird Burton Island in the morning and wrap up with a stop at the Burton Island Bistro for bite to eat before heading back to the mainland. You will need your own kayak and flotation device for this trip. Bridget will bring scopes and binoculars for participants. Fee for trip includes day-use pass to Burton Island, participants pay for breakfast separately. 

 
Night Hike for Families at Hard'ack, Friday, August 23rd, 7:30 - 9:30 pm

Explore the sounds and sights of Hard'ack after dark! On the hike we will keep our eyes and ears open for the calls of owls and maybe even spot some bats swooping down to feed on insects. We may even hear some frogs or toads. Our evening adventure will include a relaxing campfire with special treats & storytelling.  Most appropriate for families with kids ages 5 and older. Limit to 20, children must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must be pre-registered. We will meet at Hard'ack for this trip. 


All trips meet at the Barlow Street Community Center and the van will depart from there. Unless otherwise noted. 

 
Please dress for the weather and bring extra clothing. We will make a stop for food, however, you should bring some food and plenty of water. If you have them, we encourage you to bring your field guide, binoculars, camera, and any other optics gear you might want that day. Your guide will have a scope for participants to share. NEED 8 participants for each trip to run! Limited to 10.








About the Bird Diva
Bridget Butler, A.K.A The Bird Diva, has been a teacher/naturalist for more than 20 years working throughout New England. She has worked for the Audubon Society in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, for ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center as their Conservation Education Specialist, for WPTZ NewsChannel Five as an environmental reporter, as well as Jay Peak Resort as a snowshoe tour guide and professional ski/snowboard instructor. Bridget currently appears on WCAX Local Vermont News covering nature and the environment and joins Jane Lindholm on Vermont Edition twice a year for the Annual Bird Show. As the Bird Diva, she feels it important that birders use their passion for birds to make a difference by helping to protect habitat for birds and other wildlife. Bridget hosts a website at www.birddiva.com and through Twitter, using social media to inspire stewardship. She does not have a "favorite" bird, although she considers the Nashville Warbler "hot"!

* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

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