State College Bird Club
October 24, 2012
The State College Bird Club met at Foxdale Village on October 24,
2012. Thirty-three members and guests attended, including three
first-time visitors. Nick Kerlin presided.
Business
• The minutes of the September 26 meeting were read.
• In Dorothy’s absence, there was no Treasurer’s report.
• Nick Kerlin read the checklist of species seen
since September 26. Notable species reported were Surf Scoter, American
Bittern, Evening Grosbeak, and Nelson’s Sparrow.
• There was no new business.
Announcements
• Field Trips – Joe Verica reported that that he
would lead a field trip to Bald Eagle State Park on November 4. He also
said that an earlier proposed field trip to Toftrees would not
occur until Spring.
• Nick said that he was in the last week of Bird
banding at the Arboretum, and that banding would probably resume in
April.
• It was also announced that 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas should be available by Thanksgiving.
Upcoming events
• November 14 -- State College Bird Club meeting: Dan
Brauning who will give a program about the release of the 2nd PA
Breeding Bird Atlas.
Presentation
The evening’s presentation was by Dr. Mary Poss, Penn State Professor
of Biology and Vet and Biomedical Sciences. She gave a very
interesting presentation on the Amazing Bird Diversity in South
America. Dr. Poss has birded in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and
Chile. She described her experiences on birding that area, and showed
photographs. Some birds she has seen included several Trogan
species, as well as the Sun Bittern, Sun Grebe, and Cream-colored
Woodpecker.
Dr. Poss described several encounters she’s had with Antbirds, which
are a family of birds in lowland rain forests. They include species of
vireos, shrikes, and many tanagers. These birds feed around ant swarms,
and are rarely seen or heard elsewhere. Because there is a progression
of birds appearing and singing near ant swarms, when one hears one of
the sentinel birds, it is almost a guarantee of many more antbirds to
follow.
Dr. Poss noted there are many species of birds that are restricted to
Peru, at least 100 endemic species. New species continue to be
discovered because some areas have never been birded.
Minutes taken by Ron Crandall.