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From: Scott Sainsbury <[log in to unmask]>

Date: May 13, 2014 8:55:44 PM EDT

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [VTBIRD] 3RD ANNUAL BIG MORNING at CROSSHAVEN FARM - SUNDAY, MAY 25!

Reply-To: Vermont Birds <[log in to unmask]>

Announcing…

The Mad Birders' Third Annual "Big Morning and Birders' BBQ" at Sainsbury's CrossHaven Farm in Moretown on Sunday, May 25!

The last two years' gatherings of the Vermont Birding Community for this event have been inspirational!  Over 50 bird-crazy, good-natured folk from all around the state have gathered to meet one another, enjoy some great food and hospitality -- and log over 70 species each year!!  

Particularly noteworthy was the Acadian Flycatcher that Chip Darmstadt's keen ears nabbed while walking through the woods year 1.  And the Clay Colored Sparrow provided by Craig Provost last year!  Who knows what we'll see for 2014!

The "Big Morning and Birders' BBQ" is a great opportunity for many of us who bird together on the net, but don't often see one another, to join up for some birding and socializing at Scott and Pat Sainsbury's farm.  Moretown is about as "middle of the state" as you can get, so if you came before, come again -- and if you missed last year, please join us for this wonderful event

CrossHaven farm has 300 acres of mixed age / mixed species forest, plus 100 acres of hay fields and pastures, and 1-1/2 miles of river front on the Mad River.

There are paths in the woods and plenty of open areas to hike and bird.  The place can be very birdy.  128 species have been recorded there.

We'll have trail maps for everyone.  After two years, many of us know the lay of the land pretty well and can join-up with those who don't.

The game-plan will be to see how many birds we can tally in one morning.  And to put faces and names together while we share our (tall) stories about the morning, over lunch.  We'll also hear from Chip Darmstadt of North Branch Nature Center and from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies on their great programs and future vision for their organizations.

Here's the schedule:

5 - 6:30 AM - "Dawn Chorus" walk for those who want to enjoy the sunrise together

6:30 - 7:30 AM - Registration, coffee and goodies, orientation (how many trails, easy to difficult, habitat, etc.)

7:30 - 11 AM - Main Walk

11 AM - Lunch, speakers, bird list, raffle winners

1 PM - done and dusted

Mad Birder events are usually free to members and $5 for non-members.  This one will be free to all.   At the same time, we feel that it would be a great statement if -- when we join together in celebration of the birds we all love -- we also show support for those who work so hard to protect and teach about them.  We'll have a donations box at the sign-in desk, and would like to ask everyone to pitch-in $20, or whatever you feel comfortable giving.  If 50 or so of us attend again this year, we could raise $1000 or more!  Last year, we raised $1200, and…All of the money was / will be given to VCE for their avian research and North Branch Nature Center for their youth birding programs.  As a bonus, anyone who donates will be entered in a raffle for some nifty prizes!

The club and the Sainsbury's are pleased to host this great event again this year -- to serve up some great breakfast, lunch and birdie-sightings for everyone -- and to raise some money for the birds we all love.  So, please bring a few bucks from the piggy bank, and help us support the worthy work at VCE and NBNC.  Together, we can make a difference!

This year's menu will include:

Breakfast

Juice, coffee, fruit and baked goodies

Lunch

Pulled pork and beef brisket bbq sandwiches

Cole Slaw

Potato and other Salads

Baked Beans

Iced tea and Lemonade

Watermelon

There is a 60x100' indoor riding ring at the farm, so lunch will be rain or shine.  There is a fair amount of seating on the porch, but bring a folding chair or two if you like.

It's going to be a great time.  Come along and enjoy the day!

Since we're serving food, we'll need to keep track of how many are coming.  If you would please reply to Nancy Turner at [log in to unmask]  with a count on the number in your party, and when you plan to arrive, it would be greatly appreciated.  If you could let her know by the 20th, that would be very helpful.

We look forward to seeing you on the 25th!

For the Mad Birders,

Scott Sainsbury

PS -- Enter 75 Bridge Road, Moretown in your map program and you'll see where the farm is located.  If you need further directions, drop me a note.

It's a straight shot up 100 to 100b from Rutland.  It's 5 miles off exit 9 of I-89 for those from the Burlington and the NW or NE/SE.  And its a beautiful and birdy drive over App-Gap from Addison / Middlebury.  An hour to an hour and a half from all those places (Brattleboro is 2 hours).