STATE COLLEGE BIRD CLUB

2 November 2005

            The October meeting of the State College Bird Club was held on November 2 due to a conflict with the State College Halloween parade. President Jim Dunn presided.  27 members and guests met at the State College Borough Building at 7:15. The minutes of the September meeting were read by Deb Grove and approved by members Dorothy Bordner delivered the Treasurer's Report.

            The Nov 6 Field trip to BESP was announced by Greg Grove. Members will meet at either Westerly Parkway or McDonalds.

            Members were urged to sign up for Christmas Bird Counts. The State College CBC is set for Dec. 18, Lewistown Dec 17, Culp in Blair County Dec 17, Huntingdon CBC Dec 18, Lake Raystown on Dec 26 and BESP to be announced.

            Dorothy Bordner read the checklist: 133 species of birds  were seen between September 29 and November 2. Noted birds were red-necked grebe, surf scoter, snow bunting at BESP, a Swainson's hawk overhead at the Stone Mountain Hawkwatch, and rusty blackbirds at Millbrook Marsh and Walnut Springs.

            Don Bryant presented an extensive slide program on raptors of  Panama and the northwest, specifically, Skagit/Sammish flats and Bozeman Montana.   He viewed 31 raptors while on a birding trip in Panama with Bill Clarkm, noted raptor specialist. Many raptors seen there are the same as in North America because of migration through the Panama area. During his visit in April the broadwing hawk was the star due to the large numbers kettling during migration. At one point 25, 000 black vultures passed overhead in 30 minutes.  He showed photos of  native hawks, kites, eagles and falcons. He also showed a few non-raptor shots of hummingbirds and passerines.

            His visit to the Skagit/Sammish flats of Washington state in early February rewarded him with many views of a female gyrfalcon. In fact he saw all 5 falcons of North America at the flats. Large numbers of bald eagles can be seen here as well and Don showed a progression of  shots,  detailing the 6 stages of plumage, five of immature and the adult           

            During the past summer his visit to Bozeman the ferruginous hawk was a commonly-seen raptor. Swainsons and  Harlan hawk were also seen in this area. Golden eagles were also present and Don  showed a series of golden eagles in successive plumages.

Respectively Submitted by

Deborah Grove