R. Craig Hensley - Biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Among the challenges birders find in the field are the LBJ's, those nearly identical (to the untrained eye) Little Brown Jobs, or the many sparrows found across North America. However, with effort and an eye for detail, our native sparrows can be readily learned and through that discovery, their subtle beauty, enjoyed. Join birder, educator and biologist Craig Hensley of Texas -- yes, Texas, for a look at the sparrows not only of Pennsylvania, but also take a peek into their diversity in Texas. And yes, have your field guide handy, for you will be challenged at the end!
Craig Hensley is a life-long educator, naturalist and professional biologist. He has been a birder since plucking cherries from the backyard tree for his mother's cherry pies, competing with robins for their deliciousness in his home state of Iowa. He has worked as an Interpretive Naturalist and educator from Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska, to Kansas, Missouri and most recently, Texas. He has a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Management and a M.S. in Zoology with an emphasis on birds. His experience with Pennsylvania, while limited, is memorable -- he remembers tall trees, lots of trees from one end of the state to another. One of his bucket list goals is to visit Hawk Mountain during migration. Craig is a father to two grown children (one a birder, one coming along ever so slowly) and five beautiful grandchildren.
Note: Due to circumstances this meeting will be held only on Zoom. Signon will start at 7:15 to enable the meeting to begin at 7:30.
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.