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  • Food Supplementation Increases Reproductive Performance of Ospreys in the Lower Chesapeake Bay

    Michael Academia

    Michael Academia, a recent M.Sc. graduate from the William & Mary Biology Department. He believes the "Chesapeake Bay is an ecological treasure and should be treated as such for the next generations. We have the world’s largest breeding population of ospreys and our Chesapeake Bay population should be conserved as our stronghold." Michael won the prestigious William Andersen Award at the 2022 International Raptor Research Conference for his research involving ospreys and the localized depletion of Atlantic menhaden in the Lower Chesapeake Bay. This recognition is very special to Michael and reflects his hard work and dedication to ospreys, the fish they depend on, and the environments in which they thrive.

     

    Michael conducted his studies as part of the Center for Conservation Biology. The Center has been focused on osprey research since 1970 and over the past 50 years generations of graduate students have worked with ospreys. The collective and substantial work of these students provides insight into the response of ospreys to changing menhaden availability. Currently, Michael’s manuscript is in the peer review process and will be featured in the Journal of Raptor Research. He is also active in harvest policy procedures to enact change based on the scientific evidence gathered.

     

    Note: This meeting will be held in person at the meeting house and via Zoom. Zoom signon will start at 7:15 to enable the meeting to begin at 7:30.

  • Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    For: Seasonal birds

    Place: Exton Park, 8:30 a.m.

    Leader: Various leaders in conjunction with Friends of Exton Park

    Note: Formerly known as Church Farm Pond and now a part of Exton Park, this pond and surrounding wetland had been a popular birding spot for years.

    Directions: From the intersection of Routes 30 and 202, drive west along Route 30 and turn right on Valley Creek Blvd. At the end of the road, make a left on Swedesford Road and park in the gravel parking lot on your left where the perimeter trail starts. This is a 1.5 mile walk and will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

    Exton Park

  • Walnut Lane Park/The Mill at Anselma

    Place: Walnut Lane Park, 8:30am.

    Leaders: Patty and John Werth (home: 484-985-8164, day of walk: 215-859-1148, Pattyww@comcast.net)

    Note: Meet at the parking lot for Walnut Lane Park.  After walking that park, we will move next door to The Mill at Anselma

    Directions:  Walnut Lane is just off Route 401 in Chester Springs, about ¼ mile south of The Mill at Anselma

     

  • The Great Marsh – Woodcock (and Rail) Sit

    For: Woodcock and possibly Virginia Rail

    Place: 28 Moores Road, Elverson, PA, 6:30 p.m.

    Leader: Mike Coulter. If you plan to attend please email the Great Marsh Institute at lori@greatmarshinstitute.org to let them know to expect you. This will help them to organize and keep groups small. This event is free, but a donation of $5 is suggested. Donate through Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door.
     
    Note: Enjoy an evening to observe one of the highlights of early spring migration. American Woodcock will be showing off their dazzling mating displays at dusk. Oh, and a good possibility of singing Virginia Rails as well! American Woodcock are known for their elaborate courtship displays. Males will venture out into open areas after sunset and set up a display area. Birds will initially call out with their “peent” calls to announce their presence to other Woodcock. Males will then take flight circling up to 100 meters high with a combination of specialized wings creating a twittering sound as well as vocal chirping. Birds then descend in a rapid circling motion to land in the exact spot they started from. Displays can last as long as 30 minutes.
     
    Please arrive promptly and bring a chair so you can relax and see the show! RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org to attend. This will enable us to communicate about any weather-related changes and plan for the full number of attendees.
     
    This event is hosted by the Great Marsh Institute, a non-profit with the mission of supporting scientific studies and educational opportunities for all! For full trip details see here. Conditions could be muddy and wet so wear appropriate footwear.
     
    Please note that the property is private but you can always visit during our planned trips.
     
    Directions: The marsh is off of Rt. 401 four miles northwest of Rt. 100 at Ludwig's Corner. Lat/Long = 40.127651, -75.767697 or use 28 Moores Road for GPS directions. Meet at the grassy parking area at the top of the hill near 28 Moores Road. Once you turn off of Rt. 401 on to Moore's Road proceed 1/4 mile along the gravel road. You will cross a bridge and at the 1/4 mile mark make a right up the hill on the paved part of the drive. This is the first right after the bridge. At the top of the hill you should see other cars parked in the meeting area.

  • Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    For: Seasonal birds

    Place: Exton Park, 8:30 a.m.

    Leader: Various leaders in conjunction with Friends of Exton Park

    Note: Formerly known as Church Farm Pond and now a part of Exton Park, this pond and surrounding wetland had been a popular birding spot for years.

    Directions: From the intersection of Routes 30 and 202, drive west along Route 30 and turn right on Valley Creek Blvd. At the end of the road, make a left on Swedesford Road and park in the gravel parking lot on your left where the perimeter trail starts. This is a 1.5 mile walk and will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

    Exton Park

  • The Great Marsh

    For: Winter Residents & Early Spring Migrants

    Place: 28 Moores Road, Elverson, PA, 8:00 a.m.

    Leader: Mike Coulter. If you plan to attend please email the Great Marsh Institute at lori@greatmarshinstitute.org to let them know to expect you. This will help them to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

    Note: Join local birding expert Mike Coulter as he guides us through the Great Marsh, an ancient periglacial marsh and the largest marsh in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

    This event is hosted by the Great Marsh Institute, a non-profit with the mission of supporting scientific studies and educational opportunities for all! This event is free, but donations of any amount are welcome to support the Institute! For full trip details see here. This will be about a 3 hour walk. Conditions could be muddy and very wet so wear appropriate footwear.

    Please note that the property is private but you can always visit during our planned trips.

    Directions: The marsh is off of Rt. 401 four miles northwest of Rt. 100 at Ludwig's Corner. Lat/Long = 40.127651, -75.767697 or use 28 Moores Road for GPS directions. Meet at the grassy parking area at the top of the hill near 28 Moores Road. Once you turn off of Rt. 401 on to Moore's Road proceed 1/4 mile along the gravel road. You will cross a bridge and at the 1/4 mile mark make a right up the hill on the paved part of the drive. This is the first right after the bridge. At the top of the hill you should see other cars parked in the meeting area.

  • The Red-tailed Hawk Project: What We Do and Don’t Know About a Common but Incredible Hawk

    Bryce Robinson

    In this presentation, Bryce will outline the work of the Red-tailed Hawk Project, including many stories of surprising things the working group has learned in their investigation into the unknowns of this common species.

     

    Bryce W. Robinson is postdoctoral researcher at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, where his research focuses on the evolution of diversity in the Red-tailed Hawk. As part of this work, Bryce co-created and leads the Red-tailed Hawk Project, a working group that aims to fill knowledge gaps in our understanding of the life history and evolution of the species. Additionally, Bryce is an ornithological illustrator whose work has been featured in scientific papers, on journal covers, and in logos for organizations and events. To learn more about the Red-tailed Hawk Project, visit www.redtailedhawkproject.org.

     

    Note: This meeting will be held in person at the meeting house and via Zoom. Zoom signon will start at 7:15 to enable the meeting to begin at 7:30.

  • Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    For: Seasonal birds

    Place: Exton Park, 8:30 a.m.

    Leader: Various leaders in conjunction with Friends of Exton Park

    Note: Formerly known as Church Farm Pond and now a part of Exton Park, this pond and surrounding wetland had been a popular birding spot for years.

    Directions: From the intersection of Routes 30 and 202, drive west along Route 30 and turn right on Valley Creek Blvd. At the end of the road, make a left on Swedesford Road and park in the gravel parking lot on your left where the perimeter trail starts. This is a 1.5 mile walk and will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

    Exton Park

  • Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    For: Seasonal birds

    Place: Exton Park, 8:30 a.m.

    Leader: Various leaders in conjunction with Friends of Exton Park

    Note: Formerly known as Church Farm Pond and now a part of Exton Park, this pond and surrounding wetland had been a popular birding spot for years.

    Directions: From the intersection of Routes 30 and 202, drive west along Route 30 and turn right on Valley Creek Blvd. At the end of the road, make a left on Swedesford Road and park in the gravel parking lot on your left where the perimeter trail starts. This is a 1.5 mile walk and will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

    Exton Park

  • Cedar Hollow Preserve

    For: Early Spring migrants and residents

    Place: Cedar Hollow Preserve Park Road parking lot, 8:00 a.m.

    Leaders: Tracey & Bryan O’Leary (610-888-2225, boleary0072@yahoo.com))

    Note: This walk will take between 1.5 and 2 hours through meadows, forests, wetlands, and streams. There are NO bathrooms.

    Directions: From Rt 202, take a right on Matthews Drive, a right on S Morehall Rd and then a right on E. Swedesford Road, turn left on Church Road to parking lot on right.

    Cedar Hollow Preserve

  • Waterfowl of Western Chester County, Marsh Creek State Park – NEW DATE

    For: Migrants & residents

    Google MapPlace: Marsh Creek State Park, Park Road parking lot, 8:00 a.m.

    Leader: Dorothy Bedford (609-658-1894, db@bt9.org)

    Note: We will start out at Marsh Creek State Park and continue to Struble Lake, Chambers Lake, Coatesville Reservoir and other birding areas, ending up back at Marsh Creek. Bring lunch, this is an all-day trip. Minimal walking involved.

    Directions: The park is located 2 miles west of Eagle Village off of PA 100. The address is 675 Park Road, Downingtown, PA. Meet at the main parking lot by the (closed) snack bar.

    Marsh Creek State Park

  • Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA

    For: Seasonal birds

    Place: Exton Park, 8:30 a.m.

    Leader: Various leaders in conjunction with Friends of Exton Park

    Note: Formerly known as Church Farm Pond and now a part of Exton Park, this pond and surrounding wetland had been a popular birding spot for years.

    Directions: From the intersection of Routes 30 and 202, drive west along Route 30 and turn right on Valley Creek Blvd. At the end of the road, make a left on Swedesford Road and park in the gravel parking lot on your left where the perimeter trail starts. This is a 1.5 mile walk and will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

    Exton Park