State College Bird Club
16 November 2011
The State College Bird Club met at Foxdale Village on 16 Nov.
2011. Thirty-six members and guests attended; Joe Verica presided.
Business
- Dorothy Bordner presented the Treasurer’s report, and Debra Grim read the checklist.
- Species of note observed within 25 miles of the Penn State
campus since 26 Oct. 2011 included Brant, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter,
Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Dunlin, Northern Shrike,
Orange-crowned Warbler, and Baltimore Oriole.
Announcements - none
Upcoming events
- 14 Dec. Fran Maceachran will discuss birding in Chile.
- A field trip will be scheduled to see migrating ducks at
BESP. Since this requires the cooperation of the ducks and the
weather, the date will probably be set on short notice. Stay
tuned to the Club listserv and website for more details.
- Dates for several Christmas Bird Counts have been announced:
- 17 Dec.: Lewistown
- 18 Dec.: Huntingdon
- 18 Dec.: State College
- 26 Dec.: Lake Rayestown
- 1 Jan.: Bald Eagle State Park
Presentation
Mark and Ruth Henry recently went to Panama on a birding trip, and Mark
gave a report on what they saw. They stayed in two areas: Canopy
Lodge, near El Ville, and Canopy Tower, a renovated radar
station. At Canopy Lodge some of the bird species that they saw
included Red-legged Honeycreepers, Tropical Screech-owls, Mottled Owls,
Wedge-billed Woodcreepers, Orange-billed Trogons, and Spot-winged
Tanagers. They also saw a couple species of sloth and agouti. In
addition to a morning serenade by Howler Monkeys at Canopy Tower, they
were treated to several several hummingbird species: White-necked
Jacobin, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Green Honeycreeper, and Keel-billed
Toucan. They also saw a Rufescent Tiger-heron. While at Canopy
Tower, they also visited Pipeline Rd., a well-known birding hotspot,
where they were lucky enough to see a Harpy Eagle.
Over the course of their trip they saw 278 bird species, and according
to Mark they wouldn’t have seen nearly that many if it hadn’t been for
the very knowledgeable guides at both locations. Canopy Lodge was
at a higher elevation, but both locations included a mix of habitats,
including tropical forests, some agricultural areas, and
savannahs. Mark also recommended avoiding the rainy season by
visiting Panama during the winter.
Minutes taken by Nan Butkovich, Secretary