All field trips are open to members and
non-members
.
Sunday, April 7, 2024 (8:00am-11:00am)
Bald Eagle State Park
Trip Leader: Bob Snyder
Meet at the Swimming Beach parking lot.
We will be looking for migrating waterfowl: possibly various
ducks and other waterfowl, Tundra Swans, Bald Eagles and winter
hawks that may be in, or passing through the park while heading
back north.
Bring binoculars, a spotting scope (handy if you have one) and a
camera.
Please dress for the weather and time of year; we can still have
snow squalls in late March and wear a pair of sturdy hiking
boots, as we might walk down from the war memorial on the dam to
Hunter Run Cove and the spillway marsh.
Saturday, April 13, 2024 (8:00 am-10:00am)
Colyer Lake
Trip Leader: Julia Plummer
Join us to explore the birds of Colyer Lake. After meeting
in the parking lot on Lake Road, we will scan the lake for
waterfowl and early swallows. From there, we will take a
leisurely walk down the road to the end of the lake to look for
resident and migrant birds. There is also a trail around the
lake and those who are interested can continue along the trail
for a longer hike, while the rest of the group continues back to
our cars. Meet us at the parking lot on Lake Road (GPS
40.772478, -77.680872).
Saturday, April 20, 2024 (8:00am-10:00am)
Chicory Lane Farm, Spring Mills, Pa
Trip Leader: Joe Gyekis
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
Saturday, April 27, 2024 (9:00am-10:00am)
Tudek Park
Trip Leader: Constanza Ehrenhaus
This walk will be designed for beginner birders, especially
families with children. Of course, all are welcome.
The area is stroller friendly and the walk will be kept to one
hour to fit younger learners' attention spans. We will
meet near the restrooms at the upper parking lot.
Thursday, May 16, 2024 (7:30am - 9:30am)
Search for Cerulean 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 on 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.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 (8:15 pm – 9:15pm or until the last
swift disappears)
Sweets and Swifts at Ferguson Township Elementary School,
Pine Grove Mills
Rain Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024
Come enjoy an amazing evening flight of Chimney Swifts as they
circle above Ferguson Township Elementary before they dive one
by one into the chimney to roost for the night. The town of Pine
Grove Mills and the nearby elementary school can observe dozens
of circling swifts during the day. During dusk, one may gain a
better understanding how many swifts are actually utilizing the
school's chimney during this unique time where swifts finally
come to rest. Historical counts range from 97 to 197
individuals!
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a favorite baked or non-baked
sweet dish to share with others while enjoying the evening
sunset. Who will bring the best-looking and tasting Chimney
Swift themed cookie?
This field trip is open for all to join.
Trip Leader: Jon Kauffman
Birding Events sponsored
by partner organizations
Shaver’s
Creek Migration Morning
Wednesday April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1 and 8, 7 to 8:30
am at the center.
Bird Walks with the State College Bird Club at Spring Creek
Park
Tuesdays, April 9 through May 14, 8 - 9:30 AM
Walks take place at Spring Creek Park and are led by members of
the State College Bird Club. This program is open to all ages
and is great for beginners. Please dress for the weather and
bring binoculars. In the case of heavy rain, the walk that
morning will be canceled. A suggested donation of $5 per
participant supports Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Registration
is not required. Meet at
pavilion #1
which is the pavilion closest to the restroom which is near the
parking lot just off Houserville road.
Spring Bird Walks at the Arboretum
Thursdays, April 25 and May 2, 8 to 9:30 am
Open to ages 18+. All levels of birding expertise are welcome.
Please wear sturdy shoes suitable for rough terrain and bring
binoculars, if you have them. A limited number of pairs will be
available to borrow. Walks will start at the Overlook Pavilion,
#15 on the
Arboretum
map (PDF)
Please contact
Rachel
Duke with concerns or questions.
The
Birding Cup 2024
Friday, May 3, 7pm until Saturday, May 4, 7pm
Shaver’s Creek’s annual fundraiser, the Birding Cup, brings
birders of all levels together to identify as many species as
possible in 24 hours.
PA Bird Atlas Workshop and Bird Walk at Shaver's
Creek Environmental Center
Saturday, May 25, 2024, 9:00-11:00 am
Pennsylvania’s 3rd Bird Atlas is a community science project to
document the birds breeding and wintering in Pennsylvania from
2024 to 2029. This event is geared toward birders who are
interested in participating in the Atlas but need help getting
started. The workshop will begin in the classroom to cover
topics including using the PA Bird Atlas portal in
eBird,
finding block maps, and submitting data. Next the group will
head outside for a birding walk around Shaver’s Creek to
demonstrate identifying breeding behaviors and coding these
observations in eBird.
Trip Leader: Amber Wiewel
If you use a mobile phone, please come with the free eBird app
already installed.
For planning purposes, please email
Amber
if you will attend.
Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology Birding Festival will be
held in Washington, PA
Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 2, 2024
Preliminary information is available at
https://pabirds.org/2024-overview/