State College Bird Club

26 March 2008

The State College Bird Club met at Foxdale Village on 26 March 2008.  Twenty-eight members and guests attended; Deb Grove presided.

Business

Nan Butkovich read the February meeting minutes, which were aproved.  Dorothy Bordner read the treasurer's report and checklist.  Attendees reported 112 species within a 25-mile radius of Old Main since 27 February.  Species of note included Brant, White-winged Scoter, Red-throated Loon, Rusty Blackbird, and Common Redpoll.

Upcoming events

• 28 March: Woodcock Festival at Bald Eagle State Park
• 29 March: Early birds of Huntingdon Co. field trip led by Jim Dunn

Announcements

• 2-3 May: Shaver’s Creek Birding Cup
• 4 May: International Migratory Bird Day at Scotia Barrens
• 18-19 May: Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology annual meeting

Presentation

George Young spoke this evening on “Birding PA’s Reclaimed Strip Mines”.  He discussed the various habitats present on reclaimed strip mines on the Allegheny Plateau.  Various sparrows such as Grasshopper, Clay-colored, Savannah, and Henslow’s, as well as Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks, are habitat specific species.  Being able to recognize the different habitats greatly improves the odds of finding these elusive species.  Mr. Young concluded with descriptions of several good birding locations that are publicly available.

Recorded by

Nan Butkovich, Secretary