STATE COLLEGE BIRD CLUB

2022 Spring Calendar for Bird Club meetings and field trips,
and other birding events

Additional details of field trips may be posted to the State College Bird Club listserv group.

Due to COVID-19, please join us remotely through the Zoom link which will be available on the Listserv or by emailing the Bird Club President (see the main page for how to contact).

Regular Meetings: 


January 26, 2022 (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Regular Meeting
(ONLINE Zoom Meeting)
Program: Chyvonne Jessick and Judy Bowes will present a program titled "Applying bird building collision data to ensure effective bird-safe solutions".

February 23, 2022 (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Regular Meeting
(ONLINE Zoom Meeting)
Program:  Rebecca McCabe will present a program titled "Tracking the movements of snowy owls south of the Tundra"

March 23, 2022 (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Regular Meeting
(ONLINE Zoom Meeting)
Program: Bruna Amaral will present a program titled "Small bug, big impact: effects of hemlock woolly adelgid infestation on bird populations".


April 27, 2022 (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
Regular Meeting
(ONLINE Zoom Meeting)
Program:  Nan Butkovich will present a program titled "From Wetlands to Badlands: Late Spring in Southwestern North Dakota"

May 25, 2022 (Wednesday
7:00 pm )
Special Meeting (ONLINE Zoom meeting)
Our meeting will feature the work of our area’s photographers.  Each contributor will share and narrate some of their favorite images of the birds of Central Pa taken in the last year (April 15, 2021 to April 14, 2022).   Thanks to Ro Fuller and Jen Lee for organizing this annual event. 

To submit, email up to five photos to Jen Lee no later than May 10 and if possible, send them sooner.  Include the species, date and location of where the image was taken.  Photo format should be the highest quality and JPEG, JPG or PNG are accepted.



During each meeting, Greg Grove will provide a brief summary of the noteworthy birds from the last 30 days.



Winter and Spring Field Trips of the State College Bird Club


Saturday, January 15th 10am-12 noon
Innovation Park
Juniata Valley Audubon Society in collaboration with the State College Bird Club

Join John Carter on a bird walk at the University Park—Compost area and Hidden Retention Pond in search for Fish Crows and other wintering birds near the Innovation Park area. We will walk about 2 miles around this area.

What to bring: binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, drink and snack as desired.

Parking: Penn Stater parking lot: 215 Innovation Blvd, State College, PA 16803.   We will meet in the lot almost across from the WPSU building. Here are the coordinates: 40.831915,-77.843561.

If you have any questions or need more information please contact trip leader, John Carter.



Sunday, March 20, 2022 (8:00am-11:00am)
Bald Eagle State Park

Trip Leader: Bob Snyder

Meet at the Swimming Beach parking lot.

We will be looking for migrating waterfowl: possibly various ducks and other waterfowl, Tundra Swans, Bald Eagles and winter hawks that may be in, or passing through the park while heading back north. 
Bring binoculars, a spotting scope (handy if you have one) and a camera. 
Please dress for the weather and time of year; we can still have snow squalls in late March and wear a pair of sturdy hiking boots, as we might walk down from the war memorial on the dam to Hunter Run Cove and the spillway marsh.


Saturday, March 26, 2022 (9:00 am to 11:00 am)
State College Borough Bird and Tree Walk

State College Municipal Building
243 S. Allen St.

Join Joe Gyekis for a 1 mile loop which follows the new online Tree Walk developed by the Borough Arborist, Lance King, and Kelly Davidson.  The link for the Tree Walk is below.  We will meet on the plaza in front of the Municipal Building.
Expect to learn a little bit about many common tree species planted in State College and watch for some of the spring migrant birds that may be moving through town at this date.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6d36658783994aba94640517eebc0ebd


Sunday, April 24, 2022 (7:30am-9:30am)
Dry Hollow Tract – Rothrock State Forest

Join Jon Kauffman in exploring a recently acquired tract of land by the Bureau of Forestry. This 1,271-acre tract of land, also known as Dry Hollow or Scotia West, is situated west of Scotia Barrens or SGL 176 and provides a unique opportunity for the public to enjoy. Participants will be led through an easy to moderate trail/maintenance road. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a snack, and water. No facilities.

From Pine Grove Mills: Travel west on Rt 45 for ~6.5 miles, turn right unto Marengo Rd, continue on Marengo Rd for ~3 miles, turn left unto Dry Hollow Rd, continue for ~3.3 miles, turn right onto Dungarvin Rd, in 0.5 miles turn right unto a gravel road Dry Hollow Camp Ln, continue to a large parking area.

From Stormstown: Travel southwest on Rt 550, in ~ 8miles, turn left unto Dungarvin Rd, in 1.5 miles turn left onto a gravel road Dry Hollow Camp Ln, continue to a large parking area.

This field trip is open to members and non-members.


Wednesday, May 18, 2022 (7:30am - 9:30am)
Search for Cerulean Warblers on the Lower Trail, Blair County

Please join Nick Bolgiano for a leisurely walk along a stretch of the Lower Trail in Blair County. The goal of this trip is to find Cerulean Warblers, in the core of their Lower Trail habitat. See https://keystonefund.org/success-story/a-perfect-habitat/ for more information on Nick Bolgiano's search for Cerulean Warblers. This stretch of the Lower Trail is also great for Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Wood Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole.

Please meet at the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot at 7:30am. Travel West on Route 22 from the intersection of Route 453 at Water Street. Turn Left on Fox Run Rd at 3.3 mi (just after the westbound turns to 2 lanes, making this easier if traffic) or Left on Etna Furnace Rd at 4.6 mile. Continue Right near the river to reach the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot. There is a modern outhouse available.

From the Mt. Etna trailhead parking lot, the group will walk South along the Lower Trail for 1-2 miles out and back.


Wednesday, May 25, 2022 8:00 am
Detweiler Run Natural Area
in Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon County

This trip will be for breeding birds of this beautiful, secluded valley, which features fairly old-growth trees and a delightful tumbling stream lined with huge rhododendrons (Detweiler Run). Among the possibilities beyond the many Ovenbirds and Red-eyed Vireos are Canada, Hooded, Worm-eating, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Magnolia (rare breeder) Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-headed Vireo, Veery, Acadian Flycatcher, Winter Wren (fairly rare). Much of the birding will be by ear, but we will do our best to see as many of these as possible.
 

Meet at the trailhead at gated Detweiler Road at 8:00 a.m.    40.7167,   -77.5338.  There is parking nearby. This location is be reached from State College on Bear Meadows Road, and is about 2 miles past the parking area at Bear Meadows itself and about 30 minutes from Hills Plaza.
 
The hike will be moderately (at most) strenuous: 2-3 miles on the Mid-State Trail and an old road; there will be some wet/moist areas, will be some rocks but no major rocks fields. About 3 hours for the walk. A hiking stick can be helpful. No major elevation gains. 
 

Trip leaders: Greg and Deb Grove. Please let Greg know if you are thinking of joining them. 

Rain date: Wednesday., June 1.

Wednesday, July 20, 2022 (8:15 pm – 9:15pm or until the last swift disappears)

Rain Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022

Sweets and Swifts at Ferguson Township Elementary School, Pine Grove Mills

Come enjoy an amazing evening flight of Chimney Swifts as they circle above Ferguson Township Elementary before they dive one by one into the chimney to roost for the night. The town of Pine Grove Mills and the nearby elementary school can observe dozens of circling swifts during the day. During dusk, one may gain a better understanding how many swifts are actually utilizing the school's chimney during this unique time where swifts finally come to rest. Historical counts range from 97 to 197 individuals!

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a favorite baked or non-baked sweet dish to share with others while enjoying the evening sunset. Who will bring the best-looking and tasting Chimney Swift themed cookie?

This field trip is open for all to join.

Trip Leader: Jon Kauffman



 
Birding Events sponsored by partner organizations



Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch
Tuesday March 15 from noon-2:00 pm

The purpose of this field trip is to observe migrating Golden Eagles.  The field rip will be led by John Kauffman, Trish Miller (Golden Eagle researcher), and her husband Mike Lanzone.  The group will meet in the parking lot and walk out to the hawk watch site. Directions below.  Trish will give a seminar on her work at 5:00 pm in 112 Forest Resources Building (more information)..

Take Route 26 south from State College. Turn left at the flashing light in Pine Grove Mills, and continue on Route 26 to the top of Tussey Mountain (locally called "Pine Grove Mtn"). Park in the large gravel lot on the right near Jo Hayes Vista.

Birds and Bagels Birds and Bagels with the State College Bird Club
Sunday, March 20 
8 - 9:30 AM
Register Now

All ages
$5 Residents; $7 Non-Residents
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

Join us for an enjoyable morning of birds and bagels with the State College Bird Club! Meet in the Barn for a light breakfast and a brief introduction to the basics of bird watching. End your morning with a short walk along the trails to practice your skills

Bird Walks with the State College Bird Club
Tuesdays, March 22 - April 26 8 - 9:30 AM

All ages. Donations encouraged.
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

Start your day off right by observing birds that are migrating to and through the Centre Region. Led by members of the State College Bird Club, this program is open to all ages and is great for beginners. Physical distancing is encouraged. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars. In the case of heavy rain, the walk that morning will be canceled. A suggested donation of $5 per participant is appreciated. Registration not required.

Migration Morning at Shaver’s Creek 
Wednesdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11 2022,  7:00-8:30 AM
 
Join Shaver’s Creek naturalists Doug Wentzel, Joshua Potter, and other special guests for a leisurely hike to see and hear the many bird species migrating through central Pennsylvania. We will identify the songs, calls, and field marks of species from thrushes and sparrows, to warblers and hawks. Bring a good pair of hiking boots, binoculars, any guidebooks you have, and an inquisitive mind! Migration Morning Bird Walks are open to birders of all experience levels. Some binoculars are available to borrow.
 
Thanks to the sponsorship of Wiscoy for Animals and the generous support of our membership this program is free and open to the public.

Registration for bird walks is appreciated but not necessary.
(to register, click on a date)

April 6, 2022, 7:00 am – 8:30 am
April 13, 2022, 7:00 am – 8:30 am
April 20, 2022, 7:00 am – 8:30 am
April 27, 2022, 7:00 am – 8:30 am
May 4, 2022, 7:00 am – 8:30 am
May 11, 2022, 7:00 am – 8:30 am

The Birding Cup
Friday, May 6, 7:00 p.m. to Saturday, May 7,  7:00 p.m. 2022

The Birding Cup, Shaver’s Creek’s annual fundraising tournament, is a contest among teams of birders to identify the most bird species in a twenty-four hour period in the central Pennsylvania region (Huntingdon, Centre, and adjoining counties). Click here for complete information and registration.



Previous schedules:

Spring 2021  Fall 2021
Spring 2020  Fall2020
Spring 2019  Fall 2019
Spring 2018  Fall 2018
Spring 2017  Fall 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