STATE COLLEGE BIRD CLUB
2019 Spring Calendar for Bird Club meetings and field
trips,
and other birding events
Additional details of field trips may 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 Spring Creek Education
Building
at the Millbrook
Marsh
Nature
Center.
Regular Meetings:
December
12, 2018 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
Program: Our guest speaker will be Robyn Bailey who will give a
program titled "Nests and Eggs"
January 23, 2019 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
Program: Chelsea DeMarco will give a program titled "Seeking the Grey
Ghosts: an Update from the Pennsylvania Goshawk Project"
February 27, 2019 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
Program: Wayne Laubscher will give a program titled “The Falcons of
Clinton and Lycoming Counties”
March 27, 2019 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
Program: Sally Ingraham will give a program titled "Duck Hollow Comics
- Stories About Birding Together"
April 24, 2019 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
Program: Brian Shema will give a program with a title to be announced
about Chimney Swift towers
Winter
and Spring Field Trips of the State College Bird Club
Saturday, March 16, 2019
(8:00am-11:00am)
Exploring Bald Eagle State Park
We'll stop at spots along the Bald Eagle State Park corridor looking for
waterfowl and early spring migrants. Be prepared: Bring binoculars, a
spotting scope if you have one, and/or camera. Dress according to the
weather forecast: having an extra layer and a rain jacket along is
suggested. Hiking boots are also suggested, as there could be areas of
wet or muddy ground. Please plan to meet at the rear gravel parking lot
at the Milesburg McDonalds.
Trip Leader: Julia Plummer
Rain date: Sunday, March 17, 2019
Saturday, March 30, 2019
(7:30am-10:00am)
Walk at ChicoryLane Farm, Spring Mills,
Pa
ChicoryLane Farm is now managed
for wildlife habitat, including old fields, young forest, and wetland. A
network of many trails loop around the property. Be prepared for some
mud and wet grass. We will look for a mix of resident and spring migrant
birds. If rain is heavy, we will cancel, but we will continue as
scheduled with light rain. Drive 20 miles east on Route 45 from
Boalsburg then turn left onto Brush Mountain Road. Continue about 0.7
mile until you see a straight gravel driveway heading back to the right,
at blue & white sign #246, into old field habitat. You can navigate
in your GPS to 40.875564, -77.549939.
chicorylane.com
Trip Leaders: Joe Gyekis and James Lesher
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 (7:00pm
-8:30pm)
An Evening with the American Woodcock
at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
The life of an American Woodcock has fascinated birders and non-birders
for centuries and has been a great symbol of the approaching spring
season. Come out to learn more about the natural history of American
Woodcocks and a chance to observe their annual “sky dance”. The group
will start at Shaver’s Creek
Environmental Center followed with a short drive to nearby fields.
Trip Leader: Doug Wentzel
Saturday, April 20, 2019
(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 breeding and migrant birds including
gnatcatchers and kinglets, catbirds and thrashers, various hayfield
sparrows and meadowlarks. 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. Climb the hill ~0.3 mi until the
road forces a sharp left, and then just around the corner you'll see the
parking area is on the left.
177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828.
www.rhoneymeade.org/
Trip Leaders: Joe Gyekis and James Lesher
Saturday April 27, 2019 (8:00am-11:00
am)
Walk at Walker Lake, Troxelville, Pa
Meet at Walker Lake boat launch parking area at 8:00 am (location:
40.805104, -77.179631). We will walk together in the lakeside environs
looking for warblers, vireos, and other returning small migrants, plus
any water birds that are around.
Trip Leader: Joe Gyekis
Sunday, May 12, 2019 (7:30am-9:30am)
Mother’s Day Bird Walk at Fisherman’s
Paradise
Enjoy an early morning to celebrate Mother’s Day by joining the group on
a leisurely walk along Spring Creek to identify lingering migrants and
breeding birds. Fisherman’s Paradise is widely known for its trout
fishing on Spring Creek, but you don’t have to be trout angler to enjoy
this legendary microclimate. The waters of Spring Creek and the canyons
that it meanders through is home to a diversity of flora and fauna. The
path provides easy access through the canyon with little to none
elevation changes.
Trip Leader: Jon Kauffman
Directions: From the Bellefonte (Route 150) exit off of Route 220, go
north on 150. Turn left onto Paradise Road, then make a left onto Spring
Creek Road. Park at the end of this road.
Sunday, May 26, 2019 (7am -10:30am)
Rocky Ridge Natural Area in Huntingdon County
This a forest walk all the way - featuring breeding birds and maybe some
late migrants. Not to mention great rock formations. Hike is moderately
(at most) strenuous. 2.6 miles. Start with gradual climb of 200 feet
elev. Then, minor ups-and-downs. Occasionally rocky, narrow footpath -
hiking poles suggested if you normally use them. Bring water, maybe
snack. Duration of hike will be ~2 hours with the group finishing up
between 10am-11am.
Participants can choose to meet at either two of the locations below.
Lake Perez: Meet at Stone Valley Cabins Boat Launch (East Entrance from
Scare Pond Rd.) at 7am. Participants will have the opportunity to scan
the lake for any lingering migrants or rarities. Leave the lake by
7:20-7:25 (unless rarity!). Drive to Frew Road (20-25 minute
drive).
(40.6634329,-77.9130451)
Frew Road: Meet the group coming from Lake Perez at far end of Frew Rd
around 7:50. This is a dead end road with a small trailhead parking
area. (40.547997, -77.860548)
Trip Leader: Greg Grove
Please email Greg (gwg2@psu.edu) if you are planning to attend this
field trip.
Birding
Events sponsored by groups other than the Bird Club
2019 Spring Banding Dates
Banding takes place at the new
location near Hartley Woods (along the wood/field edge
northwest of the Botanic Gardens) See
map here.
*Note time change
beginning April 22
*11 am ending time is approximate.
*Any precipitation or constant winds above 15 mph will result in
cancellation.
Nick Kerlin, Bander-in-charge
Avian
Education Program
The Arboretum
at Penn State
March 29, Friday, 7 am-11 am
April 2, Tuesday, 7 am-11 am
April 5, Friday, 7 am-11 am
April 8, Monday, 7 am-11am
April 10, Wednesday, 7 am-11 am
April 16, Tuesday, 7 am-11 am
April 18, Thursday, 7 am-11 am
April 20, Saturday, 7 am-11 am
April 22, Monday, 6:30 am-11 am
April 24, Wednesday, 6:30 am-11 am
April 26, Friday, 6:30 am-11
April 29, Monday, 6:30 am-11 am
May 1, Wednesday, 6:30 am-11 am
May 4, Saturday, 6:30 am- 11 am
May 6, Monday, 6:30 am-11 am
May 8, Wednesday, 6:30 am-11 am
Wednesday, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1 & 8 2019 (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.
Meet at the Shaver's
Creek Environmental Center.
Guided
Bird Walks at Millbrook
Marsh
Tuesdays, April 16th-May
7th (8:00am - 9:30am)
Start your day off right by exploring Millbrook
Marsh. Come see and hear the birds that are migrating to and
through the Centre Region. Walks are led at a moderate pace by local
bird enthusiasts. Open to all ages with any level of experience.
Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars. In the case of
heavy rain, the walk that morning will be cancelled.
Registration not required.
Friday, May 3, 2019, 7:00 p.m. to
Saturday, May 4, 7:00 p.m. 2019
The Birding Cup
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: Shaver's
Creek
Environmental Center
Who's Nesting at Millbrook Marsh in
2019?
Bird Walks: Friday, May 31st, Saturday, June 8th,
and Friday, June 14th. 9-11AM
Join experienced birder, NancyEllen Kiernan, to identify clues that
help us discover the kind of birds breeding at Millbrook
Marsh this year. Take a mystery bird walk to sleuth out who's
nesting here. Watch for breeding bird behaviors like carrying
twigs or grasses, insects or seeds, or even, fecal sacs. After this
enjoyable walk, you can detect clues to nesting birds in your back
yard or neighborhood. You will be ready to participate if you
want, in the 5th Annual Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology tally of
breeding birds, called the Breeding
Bird Blitz
Walk is open to all ages with any level of experience. Please dress
for the weather and bring binoculars. In the case of heavy rain, the
walk that morning will be cancelled. Registration not required.
