State College Bird Club

18 Nov. 2009


The State College Bird Club met at Foxdale Village on 18 Nov. 2009.  Thirty members and guests attended; Deb Grove presided.

Business

Dorothy Bordner read the Treasurer’s Report, and Nan Butkovich read the minutes.  Dorothy also read the checklist.  Attendees reported  xxx species within a 25-mile radius of Old Main since 29 Oct. 2009.  Species of note included Brant, Northern Shrike, and American Pipit.

Announcements

•    Local Christmas Bird Counts are calling for participants.  Check with the various coordinators if interested in participating.
•    The Club received a thank you note from the Eagle Scout who was working on the shelter at Centre Wildlife Care.
•    The Club wished to acknowledge Wiscoy for their $40 membership.

Upcoming events

•    20 Dec.: State College CBC
•    28 Dec.: Lake Raystown CBC
•    3 Jan.: Bald Eagle CBC
•    3 Feb.: Owling at Bald Eagle St. Pk.
•    8 May: Bald Eagle St. Pk. Bird Festival

Presentation

Joe Verica gave a presentation on birding in Taiwan.  Taiwan is a tropical country that’s over 60% mountains.  It has 471 reported species, 15 of which are endemic, and there are 69 endemic sub-species.  Joe discussed the habitats and avifauna at several locations around the country, including the Taipei region, the East Rift Valley, Kenting National Park on the southern tip, Ping Tong (Dong), Kaoh Siung (Kao chung) County, the Cigu (Chi goo) area, and Ali Shan and Yu Shan mountains.  A few of the species discussed include the Light-Vented Bulbul (Bowlbowl) (which is out-competing the Styan’s Bulbul for habitat), the Taiwan Hill Partridge and the Collared Bush Robin (both endemic species), the Crested Serpent Eagle, and the Sacred Ibis (an exotic which has now established a breeding population in the country).

Minutes taken by Nan Butkovich, Secretary