Please Note: This event is full. To join the waitlist, email jay@nature-museum.org. Thank you!

Calling all birders! Join us for a special spring birding walk led by Vermont Center for Ecostudies’ Kevin Tolan and Nathaniel Sharp at the Herricks Cove natural area along the Connecticut River in Bellows Falls, VT on May 8th at 7 AM.

Herrick’s Cove natural area is considered an important birding and biodiversity area (IBA) by The Audubon Society. Situated along the Connecticut River flyway, this location offers some of the best opportunities for spring birding in our local area. The location also boasts several unique Vermont natural communities such as cattail -  broadleaf marsh, alder swamp, and silver maple - ostrich fern riverine river floodplain forest.

These natural communities provide unique and valuable habitat for a variety of birds, plants, and non-avian wildlife. This walk is best for those who are at least comfortable beginner birders on up, but all birders are welcome! Rain or shine, this in-field experience will be full of learning and discovery.

Note: This event will happen rain or shine. In the event of forecasted hazardous weather (Thunderstorms or heavy rain) registrants will be notified and the event will happen the following day at the same time (Sunday 05/09/21 from 7AM - 9AM).

Sliding scale registration $15-$30

About VCE: The Vermont Center for Ecostudies advances the conservation of wildlife across the Americas through research, monitoring, and community engagement. To learn more, visit vtecostudies.org

Nathaniel Sharp is a staff biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and has been an avid birder and naturalist since he first encountered Red Knots, Great Blue Herons, and Osprey along the Delaware bayshore 15 years ago. Nathaniel graduated from the University of Vermont in 2018 with a degree in Wildlife Biology, and has worked with the Bobolink Project in Shelburne, VT, as well as the Maine Bird Atlas across downeast Maine. Currently, he works on the Vermont Atlas of Life and other biodiversity projects, and spends the field season banding Bicknell’s Thrushes on Mount Mansfield and netting native bees in fields and meadows across VT.

Kevin Tolan is a Maine native and University of Vermont alum. Growing up he was always interested in the nature surrounding him, particularly the reptiles, amphibians, and bugs found in and around his backyard vernal pool. At UVM his interest in birding and ornithology took off, and he eventually worked as a teaching assistant for an ornithology course. His summers in college were spent working as an intern for the Green Mountain Club and as a field technician with The Bobolink Odyssey in Shelburne, VT. At VCE he splits his time between grassland bird and vernal pool conservation. When not knee-deep in vernal pools or chest-deep in hay fields, Kevin enjoys birding, hiking, rock climbing, and skiing.