STATE COLLEGE BIRD CLUB

2017 Fall Calendar for meetings and field trips

Further details of all 2017 field trips will be posted to the State College Bird Club listserv group.

Unless otherwise noted, all regular meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Spring Creek Education Building at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

Details of local field trips will be announced on the scbirdcl e-mail list.

Regular Meetings:

September 27, 2017 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Foxdale Village Meeting Room
Program: Our guest speaker will be Sandy Lockerman who will give a program entitled "Hummingbirds: Flying Jewels and Flower Kissers".

October 25, 2017 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Millbrook Marsh (this is a change!)
Program: Our guest speaker will be Jerry Regan who will give a program entitled “Building a Wildlife Foundation”

November 15, 2017 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Spring Creek Education Building at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
Program: Our guest speaker will be Chad Kauffman who will give a program entitled "Central PA Birding Highlights of 2017"

December 13, 2017 (Wednesday)
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m. Spring Creek Education Building at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
Program: Our guest speaker will be Jennifer Shirk who will give a program entitled "Saving the World with Citizen Science: Birds and Beyond"


Fall Field Trips:


Saturday, September 30, 2017, 7:30-10am

Field trip to Scotia Barrens SGL 176
Julia Plummer will lead a field trip to Scotia Barrens to look for warblers and other fall migrants.  Meet at 7:30AM in the large gravel parking lot about 1.8 miles down Scotia Range Road from where you enter Scotia Barrens at Scotia Rd (in Gray’s Woods).  We will walk slowly up and down that portion of Scotia Range Rd, ending by 10AM.

Some notes: The sign for Scotia Range Road where you turn off Scotia Rd (in Gray’s Woods) appears to be missing.  If you are coming from the Gatesburg Rd side, the gate by the shooting range may be closed (it was a few weeks ago).  Cell phone reception can be limited in Scotia Barrens. Directions to Scotia Barrens


Saturday, Oct 21:  8am - 4pm (October 28 is the rain date)

Join Juniata Valley Audubon Society for a trip to Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch in Carlisle, PA.  October is a great time for a variety of raptors and maybe even an early golden eagle.  Bring your camera and binoculars, pack water and a lunch, bring sun protection, and dress in layers of clothing (conditions are often cooler and windier on the ridge).  A low chair or soft cushion is helpful  if you don’t like sitting on rocks. There is a portable toilet at the north parking lot.  Plan to meet at Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, PA at 8am to carpool to the site or plan to drive on your own and meet at the site.

Directions to: Pennsylvania Military Museum 51 Boal Avenue, Boalsburg, PA

Directions to: Waggoner’s Gap


Sunday, December 3, 2017 (8am-11am)

Bald Eagle State Park Field Trip for Northern Shrike and winter birds.

Bob Snyder will lead a field trip to Bald Eagle State Park to look for Northern Shrike, possible Snow Buntings, Fox Sparrows and (maybe) American Tree Sparrows.  We will also check out the lake at several locations for waterfowl.

We will meet at the Milesburg McDonald's (gravel truck lot to form up) at 8:00 AM,  then drive to Lower Green's Run to look for waterfowl and maybe get lucky with some Snow Buntings in the parking lot.  We will then check out various locations in the main park area including,  the marina and gravel boat lots,  vicinity of the Shrike Trail and Letterman campground, the beach,  the winter/spring boat launch launch area and Hunter's Cut/FJS Dam.

We will bird until 11:00 or longer if the activity is high.  Please dress to suit the conditions and bring water and a snack if desired.  There are primitive restrooms open at Lower Greens Run and two other locations in the main park area.

If the weather looks like rain that Sunday, a decision will be made on Friday, December 1 to cancel or reschedule the trip."



Other Birding Events


Christmas Bird Counts:

December 17 2017 (Sunday): State College Christmas Bird Count
December 17, 2017 (Sunday): Huntingdon Christmas Bird Count
December 23, 2017 (Saturday): Penns Creek Christmas Bird Count
December 28, 2017 (Thursday): Raystown Christmas Bird Count
January 1, 2018 (Monday): Bald Eagle State Park Christmas Bird Count


2017 Fall Banding Dates

Note the two locations for banding:
the Air Quality Learning and Demonstration Center in Big Hollow,
and behind the Overlook Pavilion at the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens.

*Note time change beginning Oct. 4 11 am. Ending time is approximate
*Precipitation or constant winds above 20 mph will result in cancellation.

Sept. 5, Tuesday, 7 am-11 am, Air Quality
Sept. 7, Thursday, 7 am-11 am, Air Quality 
Sept. 11, Monday, 7 am-11 am, Air Quality
Sept. 13, Wednesday, 7 am-11am, Air Quality 
Sept. 15, Friday, 7 am-11 am, Air Quality
Sept. 19, Tuesday, 7 am-11 am, Air Quality
Sept. 21, Thursday, 7 am-11 am, Air Quality
Sept. 23, Saturday, 7 am-11 am, Botanic Gardens
Sept. 26, Tuesday, 7 am-11 am, Air Quality
Sept. 28, Thursday, 7 am-11 am, Air Quality
Oct. 4, Wednesday, 7:30 am-11 am, Air Quality
Oct. 6, Friday, 7:30 am-11 am, Botanic Gardens
Oct. 10, Tuesday, 7:30 am-11 am, Air Quality
Oct. 12, Thursday, 7:30 am- 11 am, Air Quality
Oct. 16, Monday, 7:30 am-11 am, Air Quality
Oct. 18, Wednesday, 7:30 am-11 am, Air Quality

Nick Kerlin, Bander-in-charge
Avian Education Program
The Arboretum at Penn State

Migration Morning Bird Walks at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
 
7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. Wednesdays this fall:

August 30, 2017
September 6, 2017
September 13, 2017
September 20, 2017
September 27, 2017

Due to construction at Shaver's Creek, Migration Morning Bird Walks will meet at the Stone Valley Recreation Area parking lot! (Follow Scare Pond road towards the main office.)

Registration for bird walks is appreciated but not necessary.
Please contact Shaver's Creek for more information or to register.

Fall 2017 Arboretum Bird Walks

Migrants are moving and the Arboretum at Penn State Avian Education program will host Arboretum bird walks starting Thursday September 7.  Walks start at 8:00 AM and end at 9:30 AM.  Meet at the Arboretum Pavilion parking area (off Park Avenue across from Law School). All levels of experience are welcome.  Walks will be cancelled with steady rain.

Thursday Sept 7
Thursday Sept 14
Friday Sept 22
Saturday Sept 23
Thursday Sept 28

Leader: Margaret Brittingham



Previous schedules:

Spring 2017 
Spring 2016  Fall 2016
Spring 2015  Fall 2015
Spring 2014  Fall 2014
Spring 2013  Fall 2013
Spring 2012  Fall 2012
Spring 2011  Fall 2011
Spring 2010  Fall 2010
Spring 2009  Fall 2009
Spring 2008  Fall 2008
Spring 2007  Fall 2007
Spring 2006  Fall 2006
Spring 2005  Fall 2005