STATE COLLEGE BIRD CLUB

2017 Spring Calendar for meetings and field trips

Further details of all 2017 field trips will be posted to the State College Bird Club listserv group.

Unless otherwise noted, all regular meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room in the Community Building in the Foxdale Village Retirement Community.

Details of local field trips will be announced on the scbirdcl e-mail list.

Regular Meetings:

January 25, 2017 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Foxdale Village Meeting Room
Program: Our guest speaker will be Pam Ford who will give a program entitled “The Layered Landscape: incorporating trees, shrubs, and perennials in the home landscape to create habitat for pollinators and birds”

February 22, 2017 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Foxdale Village Meeting Room
Program: Our guest speaker will be Clay Lutz who will give a program entitled “Barn Owl Conservation in Pennsylvania””

March 22, 2017 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Foxdale Village Meeting Room
Program: Our guest speaker will be Nick Kerlin who will give a program entitled "Banding at the Arboretum - Six Years and Counting"

April 26, 2017 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Foxdale Village Meeting Room
Program: Our guest speaker will be Dr. Mark Bonta who will give a program entitled ““I am that bird”: reflections on ethno-ornithology and the sciences”

Winter and Spring Field Trips

January 28, 2017 (Saturday)

Jon Kauffman will be leading a trip to the Penns Valley area in search of wintering raptors such as American Kestrel, Rough-legged Hawk, and Northern Harrier. Although the trip will focus on obtaining and reporting as many raptors species, there will be opportunities to observe other agricultural species such as Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, and Snow Buntings.  
Meet at the Boalsburg Military Museum at 10am with an option of meeting at the Inglebean Coffee House in Millhiem at 10:30am.

Saturday, April 15, 2017 (7:30am-10:00am)

Walk at Rhoneymeade, Centre Hall, Pa
Surrounded by a mosaic of hedgerows, successional woodlands and forest, Rhoneymeade farm is 150 acres, certified organic (primarily hay), with a 6 acre arboretum at its center. We will take about 2 hours of gentle hiking. Be prepared for a bit of mud if it is wet, but nothing extreme. We will look for a mix of returning breeders and migrants such as American Pipit, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Eastern Meadowlark, etc. We will postpone to April 16 (Easter) if rain is very heavy, but continue as scheduled with light rain.
Rhoneymeade Arboretum and Sculpture Garden is 9 miles east of State College, midway between Linden Hall and Centre Hall. Follow rt 45 E out of Boalsburg for 4.5 miles past the junction with 322, then turn left on Rimmey Rd. After about 0.3 mile of climbing up the hill, the road forces a sharp left, and the parking area is on the left just around the corner.
177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828. www.rhoneymeade.org/
Trip Leaders: Joe Gyekis and James Lesher

Saturday June 3, 2017 (8am-10:30am)

Walk at Detweiler Run
This trip will be for breeding birds of this beautiful, secluded valley, which features fairly old-growth trees and a delightful tumbling stream (Detweiler Run).
Among the possibilities beyond the many Ovenbirds and Red-eyed Vireos are Canada, Hooded, Worm-eating, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Magnolia (rare breeder) Warblers, Blue-headed Vireo, Veery, Acadian Flycatcher, Winter Wren (fairly rare). Much of the birding will be by ear, but we will do our best to see as many of these as possible.
The hike will be moderately strenuous: 2-3 miles on trail and old road; probably will be some wet/moist areas, will be some rocks, no major rocks fields however. A hiking stick can be helpful. No major elevation gains - and this is not a physically demanding walk, especially given the usual slow pace. About 3 hours, very approximately, for the walk. Driving time to and from State College- about 30-40 minutes each way.
Trip Leader: Greg Grove




Other Birding Events

2017 Spring Banding Dates
All banding takes place at the Air Quality Learning and Demonstration Center in Big Hollow.
*Note time change beginning April 18
*11 am ending time is approximate
*Precipitation or constant winds above 20 mph will result in cancellation.
Nick Kerlin, Bander-in-charge
Avian Education Program
The Arboretum at Penn State.

March 29, Wednesday, 7 am-11 am
March 31, Friday, 7 am-11 am
April 4, Tuesday, 7 am-11 am
April 6, Thursday, 7 am-11am
April 8, Saturday, 7 am-11 am
April 11, Tuesday, 7 am-11 am
April 14, Friday, 7 am-11 am
April 18, Tuesday, 6:30 am-11 am
April 20, Thursday, 6:30 am-11 am
April 24, Monday, 6:30 am-11 am
April 27, Thursday, 6:30 am-11 am
May 1, Monday, 6:30 am-11 am
May 3, Wednesday, 6:30 am- 11 am
May 5, Friday, 6:30 am-11 am
May 8, Monday, 6:30 am-11 am
May 10, Wednesday, 6:30am-11 am

Thursday, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11*
Arboretum Bird Walks
Migration is on and the Arboretum at Penn State Avian Education program will host Arboretum bird walks starting Thursday April 13.  Walks start at 8:00 AM and end at 9:30 AM.  Meet at the Arboretum Pavilion parking area (off Park Avenue across from Law School). All levels of experience are welcome.  Walks will be cancelled with steady rain. 
*Note, our last walk of the season on May 11 will be at SGL 176, Scotia Range Road.  We will be meeting at the weather station which is located on Scotia Range Road, 1.4 miles from the intersection of Scotia Road and Scotia Range Road.
Leader: Margaret Brittingham

Wednesday, April 5,12,19,26 and May 3,10 (7:00am-8:30am)
Shaver’s Creek Migration Morning Walks 
Take a leisurely hike to see and hear the numerous bird species that migrate through central Pennsylvania every spring and fall. Shaver’s Creek naturalists Doug Wentzel, Joshua Potter, and Jon Kauffman will help participants identify the songs, calls, and field marks of species, from hawks and eagles to thrushes and woodpeckers. Bring a good pair of hiking boots, binoculars, any guidebooks you have, and an inquisitive mind! Migration Morning Bird Walks are open to birders of all experience levels. Some binoculars are available to borrow.
***Please note that due to current construction at Shaver’s Creek, meeting location for Migration Morning Walks will be at the East Entrance of Stone Valley Recreation Area parking lot. This is the same location as the Park Office, Boat Rentals, Cabins, Pavilion, Picnic Tables.

Saturday April 22 and Sunday 23, 2016 (noon - noon)
The 2nd annual Earth Day Birding Classic at Penn State Altoona
The goal for the Earth Day Birding Classic is for teams in six different categories to count as many species of birds as possible in the 24-hour-period beginning at noon on Saturday, April 22. This non-profit event is co-sponsored by the Environmental Studies program at Penn State Altoona and Juniata Valley Audubon Society. Pledges that team members garner will support bird conservation and education in central Pennsylvania. Teams of three or more (two or more for senior citizens) will count birds in Blair and surrounding counties, and prizes will be awarded during the closing ceremony. The closing ceremonies will take place at the Slep Center on the Penn State Altoona campus immediately prior to and following the event. Registration deadline is April 15 – to register and for more information, please contact Catherine Kilgus at catiegk5059@gmail.com. Registration is free.
www.jvas.org/events/the-2nd-annual-earth-day-birding-classic

Sunday, April 30, 2017 (9am – 11:30am)
Kayaking, Canoeing, and Birding on the Juniata River
The Juniata River is an important tributary for the Susquehanna River that provides nesting habitat and important stopover for spring migrants. This 2-mile stretch of the Juniata hosts Silver Maples for nesting orioles, large Sycamores for nesting Yellow-throated Warblers, and scrub and recession habitat for Blue and Golden-winged Warblers.
Please join Jon Kauffman for a leisurely 4-mile float from the Petersburg Fire Station to the Hydro Dam and back. This stretch is slow moving and will allow observers to enjoy the scenery while identifying nearby flora and fauna. Some kayaking/canoeing skills recommended and participants must provide their own floatation vessel. If one is needed, please contact Rothrock Outfitters in Huntingdon www.rothrockoutfitters.com or Tussey Mountain Outfitters in Bellefonte tusseymountainoutfitters.com
Please meet at 9am at the Petersburg Fire Station Boat Launch in Petersburg, Pa.
Trip Leader: Jon Kauffman

Friday-Saturday, May 5-6, 2017
The Birding Cup
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
The Birding Cup, Shaver’s Creek’s annual fundraising tournament, is a contest among teams of birders to identify the most bird species in a twenty-four hour period in the central Pennsylvania region (Huntingdon, Centre, and adjoining counties). Teams must consist of at least three members and must follow the rules of The Birding Cup when participating. Team entries should be submitted no later than four days prior to the start. Team entry is free, however, since this is our only annual fundraiser, teams are encouraged to raise at least $100 in donations to The Birding Cup.
For more information visit: www.shaverscreek.org

Wednesday, May 17, 2017 (7:30am - 9:30am)
Search for Cerulan Warblers on the Lower Trail, Blair County
Please join Nick Bolgiano for a leisurely walk along a stretch of the Lower Trail in Blair County. The goal of this trip is to find Cerulean Warblers, in the core of their Lower Trail habitat. See keystonefund.org/success-story/a-perfect-habitat/ for more information of Nick Bolgiano's search for Cerulean Warblers. This stretch of the Lower Trail is also great for Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Wood Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole.
Please meet at the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot at 7:30am (www.rttcpa.org/index.shtml). Travel West on Route 22 from the intersection of Route 453 at Water Street. Turn Left on Fox Run Rd at 3.3 mi (just after the westbound turns to 2 lanes, making this easier if traffic) or Left on Etna Furnace Rd at 4.6 mile. Continue Right near the river to reach the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot. There is a modern outhouse available.
From the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot the group will walk South along the Lower Trail for 1-2 miles out and back.
Field Trip Leader: Nick Bolgiano

Saturday, May 20, 2017 (7:15am-9:30am)
Field walk at Bella Vista Farms, Milroy, Pa
Trip Leaders: Jon Kauffman and Doug Wentzel
Bella Vista Farm is a 208-acre family farm owned by Doug and Amber Goss and Rich and Linda Goss in Milroy, Pennsylvania.  Doug represents the fourth generation of Goss farmers. When Doug and Amber purchased the farm 15 years ago, they decided it was important to take steps towards conservation, sustainable farming practices and becoming certified organic, which will take place in the fall of 2017.
Please join Amber and Doug as they share their stories and management practices of their homestead while searching for agricultural birds such as Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and Bobolink. 
Please meet at 7:15am at Tom’s Travel Center and Truck Stop at the Milroy exit off of Rt 322. Carpooling is encouraged.

Previous schedules:

Spring 2016  Fall 2016
Spring 2015  Fall 2015
Spring 2014  Fall 2014
Spring 2013  Fall 2013
Spring 2012  Fall 2012
Spring 2011  Fall 2011
Spring 2010  Fall 2010
Spring 2009  Fall 2009
Spring 2008  Fall 2008
Spring 2007  Fall 2007
Spring 2006  Fall 2006
Spring 2005  Fall 2005