State
College Bird Club
27 October 2010
The State College Bird Club met at Foxdale Village on 27 October
2010. Thirty-two members and guests attended; Greg Grove presided.
Business
• Nan Butkovich read the minutes.
• Dorothy Bordner presented the Treasurer’s report.
• She also read the checklist. 142 species were
reported as having been seen within 25 miles of the Penn State campus
since 27 Sept. Species of note included Surf Scoter, Northern
Goshawk, Virginia Rail, and Pine Siskin.
Announcements
• Greg Grove reminded everyone that annual dues are
due.
• Copies of Birds of Central PA are still
available. See Greg Grove or Nick Bolgiano.
• Checklists are also available.
Upcoming events
• Next meeting: 17 Nov. – Program on birds of the
Galapagos Islands.
Presentation
Wayne Laubcher spoke on “Autumn Jewels: Vagrant Western
Hummingbirds.” Late October to early December is prime time for
vagrant western hummingbirds. They often stay well into
January. Although the most frequently reported vagrant is the
Rufous Hummingbird, others that have been reported in Pennsylvania
include Calliope and Allen’s. Other vagrants reported in the
eastern US include Black-chinned, Broad-billed, Anna’s, Green
Violet-ear, Green-breasted Mango, Broad-tailed, and Buff-bellied.
Three possible causes for the “lost” hummingbirds: faulty
migratory genetic programming, they’ve always been here but are noticed
more due to more feeders being left out later, and environmental
changes. Most that are found in the northeast are probably
migrating to wintering grounds in the southeastern US. They tend
to be cold tolerant and are able to put on extra fat.
Minutes taken by Nan Butkovich, Secretary