About forty birders enjoyed a great walk at the Herrick’s Cove Festival yesterday.  It was a bit chilly, but sunny and calm.  Highlights included Black-and-white, Magnolia, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Solitary Sandpiper, Warbling and Yellow-throated Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Swamp Sparrows, and a posing American Bittern.  Many of us will never get a better view of this bird.  Wow!

Many organizations were represented there with great displays and conservation and educational activities for families. Bridget Butler of Moretown and Audubon Vermont, had a great bead activity for kids of all ages to help remember field marks of warblers and other colorful birds.  She was having great fun checking out the birds around her when there was no one at her table.  What a great teacher she is!

I’m so glad I finally got to attend this festival and although I didn’t stay for the whole day, I could tell it was a great event for learning and exploring the natural world. 

American Bittern
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Bridget Butler at Herrick’s Cove
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