West Chester Bird Club

Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA
2023-01-05 08:30 - 10:30, 2022-12-29 08:30 - 10:30, 2022-12-22 08:30 - 10:30, 2022-12-15 08:30 - 10:30, 2022-12-08 08:30 - 10:30, 2022-12-01 08:30 - 10:30, 2022-11-24 08:30 - 10:30, 2022-11-17 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) and 56 more dates
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

How Birds Made Us Human
2023-01-02 19:30 - 21:30
Rob Fergus
People have been living and interacting with birds since before we were human. Many of the behaviors that we take to be inherently human—including walking upright, using tools, language, writing, music, dance, sewing, pottery, home building, and flight—were perfected by birds long before we became human. This presentation looks at the shared history of humans and birds and how we may have became human by copying these behaviors from birds in our shared environment.

Rob Fergus studies human-bird interactions and received his Ph.D. in geography from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. Rob is the former executive director of Travis Audubon Society, founder of the Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory in Austin, Texas and former National Audubon Senior Scientist for Urban Bird Conservation. He currently teaches geography and environmental studies at Rowan University and is the past president and current vice-president of the Birding Club of Delaware County.

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.

The Great Marsh
2022-12-11 08:00 - 11:00
For: Winter Residents
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 or 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 Bird Collision Problem in Philadelphia
2022-12-05 19:30 - 21:30
Keith Russell – Program Manager for Urban Conservation for Audubon Mid-Atlanti

Birds have been colliding with buildings and other human structures since the 19th century and much of the work that has been done historically to help us understand the phenomenon was done in Pennsylvania, and this includes pioneering research conducted in Philadelphia by the DVOC during in the 1890s. This talk will review what we have learned about the problem in Philadelphia and what has been done in recent years in Philadelphia to address it.

Keith Russell is based in Philadelphia where he works on a variety of bird conservation issues including bird collisions with human structures, birds and nocturnal lights, non-native plants, and migration stopover habitat. His work uses education, monitoring, research, advocacy, mitigation work, and habitat restoration to improve conditions for birds in ways that have also broadened engagement in the environmental movement.

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.

Focus on Photography trip: Conowingo Dam, MD
2022-11-27 08:00 - 17:00
For: Photography, eagles, and waterfowl
Place: Parking area below dam, 8:00 a.m.
Leader: John McNamara (484-782-4820, jmckayak@gmail.com)
Note: We will be looking for eagles and other birds in the area with a focus on photography. There will be a short walk of about 1 mile on a flat trail along the river. This trip is weather dependent. Bring lunch; this is an all-day trip.
Directions: Take US Route 1 south over the Conowingo Dam. Turn left at the first road, Shuresville Road and go about 1/2 mile. Make a hard left on Shures Landing Road and go to the parking lot at the end of the road.

Every Thursday Morning Exton Park, Exton, PA - No walk on Thanksgiving
2022-11-24 08:30 - 10:30

Microbiota-mediated Behavior in Wild Birds
2022-11-21 19:30 - 21:30
Jennifer Houtz – PhD Candidate at Cornell University
Emerging evidence has revealed that gut microbiota (the microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract) are essential for a wide array of host physiological functions in birds. But can gut microbiota influence the behavior of the host? This talk will discuss the potential for gut microbiota to influence the behavior of birds and how avian behavior can influence gut microbiota diversity. Our speaker, Jenn Houtz, will share results from her PhD work investigating this bidirectional relationship between behavior and gut microbiota in tree swallows.

Jenn Houtz is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University. She is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and a Cornell Presidential Life Sciences Fellow. Jenn received her B.S. in Animal Behavior from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where she studied the development of gut microbiota in starlings and worked as an assistant on a project studying the social behavior of wire-tailed manakins in Ecuador. Her research interests include microbial ecology, stress physiology, behavioral ecology, and ornithology. As a first-generation student, she is also passionate about mentoring undergraduate researchers, teaching, and science outreach.

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.

The Great Marsh
2022-11-13 08:00 - 11:00
For: Fall Migrants & Early Winter Residents
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 or 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.

Here a Sparrow, There a Sparrow: Identifying those Little Brown Birds in the Weeds
2022-11-07 19:30 - 21:30
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.

Northern Saw-whet Owl Migration Project
2022-10-17 19:30 - 21:30
Sandy Lockerman

For the past 25 years, the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg, Dauphin County has been conducting a fall migration project on PA’s smallest owl: the northern saw-whet owl. Sandy is a licensed bander with the project and she will discuss the project and some of the findings that they have discovered over the years.

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.

The PGC’s Kestrel Conservation Initiative: Teamwork makes the dream work!
2022-10-03 19:30 - 21:30
Dan Mummert – PA Game Commission’s wildlife diversity biologist for southeastern Pennsylvania

Since 2016 the PGC has been ramping up their conservation efforts for the American Kestrel throughout southeastern PA. This talk will provide information about these small, declining falcons and highlight some of the accomplishments made and information learned from this study. The talk will also help highlight the importance of teamwork in conservation projects such as this and explain how the success of this kestrel program has only been possible with the continued help of a dedicated team of partners and volunteers including the West Chester Bird Club.

For the past 18 years, Dan Mummert’s work has been focused on the conservation of the state’s rare and declining species of birds and mammals. Before being hired by the PGC, Dan worked as a wildlife biologist in California, Utah, Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, and western Pennsylvania. Dan studied wildlife conservation in college and received his B.S. from the University of Delaware and M.S. from Northern Arizona University.

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.

The Great Marsh
2022-09-25 08:00 - 11:00
For: Lingering Residents & Fall 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 or 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.

Turkey Point, Elk Neck State Park, North East, MD
2022-09-19 08:00 - 13:00
For: Migrants and resident birds
Place: Parking lot at end of Route 272, MD, 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Armas Hill (302-529-1876, Armas@focusonnature.com)
Note: A walk to Turkey Point in Elk Neck State Park, one of the best places in the Mid-Atlantic for bird migration in the late summer and fall. Mostly songbirds and raptors. The walk should be back to the parking lot around noon. Afternoon birding may be available if people wish to continue. There is a bathroom by the lighthouse.
Directions: Route 95 south to Maryland Route 272 south which takes you right to the parking lot.
Elk Neck State Park
Turkey Point Lighthouse

eBird 101: How and Why to use eBird
2022-09-11 10:00 - 12:00
For: eBird class and walk
Place: Welkinwier, 1368 Prizer Rd, Pottstown, PA, 10:00 a.m.
Leaders: John Mercer (mercer1135@aol.com) and Patty Werth (home: 484-985-8164, day of walk: 215-859-1148, Pattyww@comcast.net)
Note: eBird is a global birdwatching and citizen science project run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that not only contributes to the scientific database, but has become a powerful personal tool that birdwatchers can use to keep track of bird sightings, manage bird lists, photos, and audio recordings, see real-time maps of species distribution, and find places to go birding. This approximately 2-hour program will be divided into two parts. A classroom session will be held first where instructors will help you get started on eBird and go over best practices for using the website and the mobile app. Following that there will be a short birding field trip during which we will practice using eBird, so please bring binoculars if you have them. The classroom portion of this program will take place under an accessible pavilion and will be held rain or shine. If you are planning on using eBird on your phone, please have the mobile app (which is free) downloaded before you arrive. We are expecting to have wifi available during the program, so if you use a laptop you may want to bring that also. Accessible restrooms are available on site.
Meet in the visitor parking lot west of the main entrance.
Note: This is a joint program with Valley Forge Audubon Society, all are welcome.
Directions: Route 100 N towards Pottstown. Turn left on Prizer Rd, Welkinwier will be on the left in about 0.8 miles.
Welkinwier

Ramsey Road, Wilmington, DE
2022-09-10 08:00 - 12:00
For: Migrants and resident birds
Place: Parking lot off of Ramsey Rd., 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Carol Majors (610-399-1509, carolmajors@gmail.com)
Note: A walk along the Brandywine Creek in Delaware. The walk is about 2 miles over fairly even terrain with one stream crossing.
Directions: Route 202 South to Rt. 92 just over the state line. Turn right onto Route 92 then follow it to the left. Take the first right on to Ramsey Rd. Look for the parking area on the right.

Bucktoe Common Nighthawk Watch, Kennett Square, PA
2022-08-28 17:00 - 20:00
For: Migrating Nighthawks
Place: Bucktoe Preserve parking lot, Kennett Square, PA, 5:00 p.m.
Leader: Larry Lewis – Early Bird Tours (484-340-7672, earlybirdtours@comcast.net)
Note: The Bucktoe Common Nighthawk watch goes from Aug 23 to September 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bring picnic dinner and drinks and enjoy the show.
Directions: From Kennett Square, take Union Street south of town. This becomes Kaolin Road. Make a right onto Hillendale Road. Proceed about 1.5 miles to Sharp Road and make a left. The entrance is on the left at 432 Sharp Road. Look for the “BCP” sign. Upon entering driveway, make a right on gravel road opposite first driveway you see. Follow gravel road to the pavilion and parking area.
Bucktoe Preserve

The Great Marsh
2022-08-21 08:00 - 11:00
For: Summer Residents, Young Birds & Early 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 or 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.

Bombay Hook NWR and Points South, DE - NOTE NEW, NEW DATE
2022-08-06 08:30 - 20:00
For: Shorebirds, herons and summer residents
Place: Bombay Hook NWR Headquarters, 8:30 a.m.
Leaders: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com)
Note: This is an all day trip that will start at Bombay Hook and go South as far as we can get before we stop for dinner at a local restaurant and head home. Bring lunch. Minimal walking involved.
Directions: Meet at NWR 2591 Whitehall Neck RD. Smyrna DE 19977 at 8:30 a.m. Do not leave the HQ, depending on birding on Whitehall Neck Rd, we may arrive to the HQ after 8:30. Please contact leader if you will meet the group at Bombay Hook.
Carpooling: Due to Covid concerns, check with leader to confirm if a participant limit is in effect and if carpooling is occurring.
Meet at Painters Crossing, PA, on the northwest corner of US Routes 1 and 202.
Departure time 7:00 a.m.
Bombay Hook NWR

The Great Marsh
2022-07-10 08:00 - 11:00, 2022-06-12 08:00 - 11:00
For: Summer Residents
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.

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.

Black Rock Sanctuary, Phoenixville, PA
2022-07-10 08:00 - 10:00
For: Migrants and local birds
Place: 935 Black Rock Road, 8:00 a.m.
Leaders: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com), Patty Werth (484-985-8164, pattyww@comcast.net) and John Werth (215-859-1148)
Note: Park #5 in our tour of Chester County’s parks is the 119-acre Black Rock Sanctuary, which contains wetlands, forest, and fields that provide excellent birding opportunities, especially from the paved loop trail which is fully accessible to those with mobility challenges.
This field trip will cover around a mile and will last approximately 2 hours.
A portable restroom is available on site.
Black Rock Sanctuary

WCBC Annual Summer Picnic
2022-07-09 18:00 - 21:00
For: Good times!
Place: 100 Hadfield Road, Downingtown, PA, 6:00 p.m.
Host: Sandy Moser (610-269-8124, semoser@yahoo.com )
Note: Covered dish picnic. Bring food to share, tableware and lawn chair.
Call or email Sandy if you plan to attend.
Directions: From Route 30, go North on Route 340 until Rt. 340 turns left and Bondsville Rd. goes left (340 is Bailey Rd.) Take Bondsville Road past Bondsville Mills Park. At the next intersection, Bondsville Rd. goes right and Hadfield Rd is straight across. Sandy’s place is on the corner on the left side of Hadfield Rd. On the right side is a grassy area inside of a low stone wall. Go to the end of the wall, turn into the grassy area to park. From Route 322, turn south on Bondsville Rd. Turn right onto Hadfield RD. where Bondsville takes a left turn, park behind the wall.

Chino Farms IBA, MD
2022-06-11 07:00 - 17:00
For: Dickcissel and other sparrows
Place: Painters Crossing, 7:00 a.m.
Leader: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com)
Note: Due to Covid concerns, check with leader to confirm if a participant limit is in effect and if carpooling is occurring.
Carpooling from Painters Crossing Shopping Center/Mall on the northwest corner of US Routes 1 and 202
Chino Farms is a privately owned tract of land near Chestertown, MD which has been restored to a native grassland. Nesting bird species include Northern Bobwhite, Grasshopper Sparrow and Dickcissel. Bob will also stop along the way home in other locations in Delaware depending on what is being seen. Bring lunch.
Chino Farms IBA

Warwick County Park, Pottstown, PA
2022-06-08 08:00 - 11:00
For: Nesting birds
Place: 191 County Park Road, 8:00 a.m. Meet at the parking lot below the park office
Leaders: Patty Werth (484-985-8164, pattyww@comcast.net), John Werth (215-859-1148) and John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com)

Note: Warwick County Park in northern Chester County, the 4th park in our series of monthly bird walks in Chester County Parks, is a favorite of the leaders during breeding season. With meadows, wetlands, forest, and a section of the beautiful French Creek, birds abound! In past years we have discovered the nests of Willow Flycatchers, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Yellow Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and more. No guarantees for this year, of course, but we won’t find any at all unless we try!
This field trip will cover 1-2 miles on mainly flat (and possibly muddy) earthen trails and will last 2+ hours. Modern restrooms are available on site.

Warwick County Park

Members’ photos
2022-06-06 08:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Coordinated by Luc Jacobs. If you have photos to contribute contact Luc at jacobsluc52@yahoo.com or 484-706-1999.

NOTE: This is a virtual meeting. Zoom signon will start at 7:15 to enable the meeting to begin at 7:30.

Bucktoe Kite and Shorebird Watch, Kennett Square, PA
2022-05-25 15:00 - 20:30
For: Migrating kites and shorebirds
Place: Bucktoe Preserve parking lot, Kennett Square, PA, 3:00 p.m.
Leader: Larry Lewis – Early Bird Tours (484-340-7672, earlybirdtours@comcast.net)
Note: Join Larry as he searches the skies for migrating kites and shorebirds. The watch goes
every day from May 17 thru June 6 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The club will join
Larry on May 25. People can come and go as they want and are welcome to join Larry any of
the days he is at the watch.
Directions: From Kennett Square, take Union Street south out of town. This becomes Kaolin Road. Make a right onto Hillendale Road. Proceed about 1.5 miles to Sharp Road and make a left. The entrance is on the left at 432 Sharp Road. Look for the “BCP” sign. Upon entering driveway, make a right on gravel road opposite first driveway you see. Follow gravel road to the pavilion and parking area.
Bucktoe Preserve

Sullivan County, PA
2022-05-20 13:00 - 2022-05-22 12:00
For: Warblers, Sandhill Cranes, Whippoorwill and other upstate specialties
Place: Hotel Dushore, Friday, 1:00 p.m to Sunday 12:00 p.m.
Leaders: Armas Hill (302-529-1876, Armas@focusonnature.com) and John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com)
Note: This is a two-night trip, with accommodations at Hotel Dushore. The rooms will be roughly $140 per night. We will meet Friday at the hotel at 1:00pm, bird part of the day Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday until noon. We have rooms for 8 people tentatively reserved. Some rooms have two twin beds so people can share to save costs, but most have only one queen, so we will be limited in the number of participants. Early registration with the leaders is important. If you are interested in doing this trip, even if you are not sure, please let the leaders know as soon as possible so we save the correct number and mix of rooms before they sell out. There is time to cancel the reservations if you change your mind but may not be a chance to add a room if you decide to go last minute. Once at the Hotel, we will try to carpool if feasible.
Directions: From Interstate Route 80, take 42 north to Route 220 to Dushore Hotel.
Hotel Dushore

Hurricane Effects on Caribbean Birds
2022-05-16 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Dr. Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr. – Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Caribbean Ornithology

To help understand how hurricanes affect birds and their habitats and resources, Dr. Wunderle’s talk will summarize some of the direct and indirect effects of hurricanes on bird populations in the Caribbean. Dr. Wunderle and his colleagues have been “fortunate” in having baseline samples of populations and resources before the arrival of hurricanes on different islands and they have been able to re-sample in the storms’ aftermath to enable before and after comparisons. His talk will identify some of the types of birds, habitats, and resources especially vulnerable to hurricanes as well as demonstrating some post-hurricane behavioral responses of birds. Although some Caribbean bird species such as the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot have been found to be highly vulnerable to hurricane-induced population declines, populations of other bird species have been found to be remarkably resilient to hurricane impacts. In fact, not all is doom and gloom.

Wunderle has 40 years of experience teaching and conducting research throughout the Caribbean where he focuses on ecology and conservation of migrant and resident birds. His dissertation (Ph.D., 1980, Univ. of Minnesota) fieldwork was conducted on Grenada where he also taught field courses in the nearby Grenadines. Afterwards, he taught for a year at North Carolina State University and taught with the Organization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica. In 1982, he joined the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) where he taught and conducted research with his students for eight years before joining the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) as a Research Scientist working throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and Brazil. After 30 years with the USFS he retired, joined the board of BirdsCaribbean and returned to teaching ornithology for a semester at UPR, where he continues to advise graduate students. He has authored or co-authored numerous publications, including a field guide to the natural history of The Bahamas, based on his research and training of Bahamian students. He is a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society and a recipient of its Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award and a founding member and former president of BirdsCaribbean and a former president of the Neotropical Ornithological Society.

Birding by Ear, Hibernia Park, Coatesville, PA
2022-05-15 08:30 - 12:00
For: More advanced practice at birding by ear
Place: Hibernia Park parking lot by pond on Lion Head Rd., 8:30 a.m.
Leaders: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com)
Note: We will walk along the creek to picnic tables where we will review the birds heard, then return. The total walking is about 0.4 miles, but the session can take up to two hours.
Directions: From Downingtown, take Route 30 bypass to Route 82 north (left turn). At the next left, turn onto Route 340 west. Go about 1.5 miles and turn right onto Wagontown Road. Follow Wagontown Road around to Park Road. (Be careful, at one point it seems Wagontown ends in a tee, but it continues to the right. Turn right onto Lyons Head Drive (between the pillars with lion faces on them.) Follow Lyons Head Drive until you see the pond on the right, the parking area is after the pond.
Hibernia Park

The Great Marsh
2022-05-15 08:00 - 11:00, 2022-04-10 08:00 - 11:00
For: Spring Migrants & Returning Summer Residents
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.

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.

Springton Manor Farm, Glenmoore, PA
2022-05-15 08:00 - 11:00
For: Migrating and resident birds
Place: Manor House 860 Springton Rd, Glenmoore, PA, 8:00 a.m. Meet at the parking lot by the Great Barn (40.073989, -75.775482)
Leaders: Patty Werth (484-985-8164, pattyww@comcast.net) and John Werth (215-859-1148)
Note: Location #3 in the series of monthly bird walks being held in Chester County Parks is Springton Manor Farm, part preserve and part farm and home to many types of bird-friendly habitats across its 300 acres. Of note here are centuries-old oak and maple trees, and a thriving Purple Martin colony during the summer.
This outing will cover 1-2 miles and will last 2+ hours.
Restrooms are available on site at the Great Barn, where we will meet.
Springton Manor Farm

Chambers Lake, Chester County, PA
2022-05-10 08:00 - 11:00
For: Summer residents, butterflies, etc.
Place: Chambers Lake parking lot, 8:00 a.m.
Leaders:
Note: Trip is an approximately two- to three-hour walk covering about 2 miles with some moderate hills.
Directions: Take the Rt. 30 by-pass to the exit for Rt. 82. At end of the ramp go left and proceed to the first light. A Turkey Hill market should be on the left. Make a left at this light which should be Rt. 340. Follow Rt. 340, West Kings Highway about 2.1 miles. Turn right on Wagontown Rd. Stay on Wagontown Rd. until you get to Chambers Lake.
Chambers Lake

Ramsey Road, Wilmington, DE
2022-05-08 08:00 - 12:00
For: Migrants and resident birds
Place: Parking lot off of Ramsey Rd., 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Carol Majors (610-399-1509, carolmajors@gmail.com)
Note: A walk along the Brandywine Creek in Delaware. The walk is about 2 miles over fairly even terrain with one stream crossing.
Directions: Route 202 South to Rt. 92 just over the state line. Turn right onto Route 92 then follow it to the left. Take the first right on to Ramsey Rd. Look for the parking area on the right. In GPS, navigate to Ramsey’s Farm, Ramsey Road, Wilmington, DE. The parking lot is across the street from the entrance.

White Clay Creek, Newark, DE - CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
2022-05-07 07:45 - 12:00
For: Migrants and resident birds
Place: Wedgewood Rd. parking lot, 7:45 a.m.
Leader: Bob Murray (610-644-5440, rmurraymmi@gmail.com)
Note: The walk will be on an abandoned railroad bed, along the banks of White Clay Creek, which forms a section of the Mason-Dixon trail. We will cover a total distance of about 3 miles. There will be bathroom facilities at the Nature Center, which is at the midpoint of the walk. We will finish up before noon.
Note: The park charges a fee of $8 per vehicle.
Directions: Call leader for directions if not carpooling.
Carpooling: Meet at Painters Crossing, PA, on the northwest corner of US Routes 1 and 202. Departure time 7:00 a.m.
White Clay Creek

Stroud Preserve, Chester County, PA
2022-05-03 08:00 - 12:00
For: Summer residents, butterflies, etc.
Place: Stroud Preserve parking lot, 8:00 a.m.

Leaders: Armas Hill (302-529-1876, Armas@focusonnature.com)
Note: Trip is an approximately two- to three-hour walk covering about 2 miles with some moderate hills.
Directions: From West Chester, take Route 162 west for about 2 miles and turn left onto North Creek Road. The parking lot is on the right.
Stroud Preserve

North American Bird Names - The Apostrophes
2022-05-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Bert Filemyr
Of the over 950 birds on ABA’s North American Bird List, almost 100 have apostrophes in their common names. These birds are named in honor of some of our most famous North American ornithologists (Audubon’s Shearwater, Wilson’s Plover, Cassin’s Finch, etc.). But some are named for little known people (Lucy’s Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Bicknell’s Thrush, etc.) and some are even named in honor of people who never set foot in North America (Swainson’s Thrush, Henslow’s Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren, etc.). Learn the fascinating stories behind the birds with apostrophes in their common names and the very human people who have been so honored.

Bert Filemyr is an active field birder both in the Delaware Valley and throughout North America. He has birded extensively in all 50 states. He has having seen at least 100 species in each of the lower 48 states plus several Canadian Provinces. Retired from a public school teaching career, he pursues his passion for birding while researching topics related to early American ornithology. He was a member of the championship Nikon/DVOC World Series of Birding Team, the Lagerhead Shrikes for many years. He co-authored, along with Jeff Holt the book “The Composite Prints of Audubon’s Birds of America” and a major article on Alexander Wilson in the Wilson Journal of Ornithology.

ChesLen Preserve (formerly Embreeville County Park), PA
2022-05-01 08:00 - 12:00
For: Early migrants
Place: Newlin Township Maintenance Building, 8:00 a.m.
Leaders: Judy Ford (610-486-6061, RareJBird@verizon.net) and Mike Gardner (484-880-7083, birdnerd@zoominternet.net)
Note: Approximately 3 hours, walking over mostly flat, marshy terrain, about 1-2 miles. Waterproof boots or shoes a must.
Directions: The NewlinTwp Bldg parking lot (1751 Embreeville Rd, Coatesville PA 19320) is west of West Chester, on PA Rte 162, directly across from the marsh. This is a half-day trip.
Cheslen Preserve
Newlin Township Building map

Springton Manor Farm, Chester County, PA
2022-04-24 08:00 - 12:00
For: Migrants and resident birds
Place: Manor House 860 Springton Rd, Glenmoore, PA, 8:00 a.m.
Leaders: Kris Debolt and Peter Wade (215-219-5637, wadedeb@verizon.net)
Note: This will be a 3 to 4 hour walk. This walk is in conjunction with BCDC.
Directions: Take Rt. 322 West through Guthriesville, take a soft right onto Springton Road at traffic light, Cross Highspire Road, continue .5 miles to to park entrance on right.
Springton Manor Farm

Sparrows Simplified: Making Sense of the Little Brown Jobs
2022-04-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Michael Moore – President of the Delaware Ornithological Society

Many birders struggle with identifying sparrows, referring to them as LBJ’s (little brown jobs) or sparrow sp. This talk will help you tackle this difficult group. It will discuss and then attempt to blend the two main approaches to identification, the Peterson System and the Cape May School, to lead you to sparrow identification confidence. Each of the 16 species of regularly occurring sparrows in this area will be compared and contrasted with some discussion of finding and identifying rarities.

Mike is a recently retired Biology professor. He was at Arizona State University for 27 years and then at University of Delaware for 11 years before retiring a couple of years ago. He has published nearly 100 papers in scientific journals on behavior and hormones of birds and reptiles. He worked as an intern at Manomet Bird Observatory in Massachusetts in college and then completed a PhD in Zoology at the University of Washington on White-crowned Sparrows. He started birding in Massachusetts at 11 years old and has pursued it passionately since with a special interest in identification challenges and chasing rarities, splitting his field time between birds and his other passion, odonates. He is currently President of the Delaware Ornithological Society, a Vice President of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas and an eBIrd reviewer for Delaware.

Struble Lake and Marsh Creek State Park, PA
2022-04-16 08:00 - 12:00
For: Waterfowl, snipe
Place: Struble Lake Parking lot, 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Jim Russell (610-399-1580, jrussell73@verizon.net)
Note: This is a half day trip. There is minimal walking involved. Due to Covid concerns, check with leader to confirm if a participant limit is in effect and if carpooling is occurring.
Directions: From Downingtown, take Route 322 west about 7 miles then take a slight right onto Chestnut Tree Road (after Sunoco gas tanks.) In about 3 miles bear left at stop sign onto Morgantown Road. The parking area for Struble Lake is 0.5 miles on the left.
Struble Lake
Marsh Creek State Park

Nottingham County Park, Nottingham, PA
2022-04-10 08:00 - 10:00
For: Local and migrating birds
Place: 150 Park Road, Nottingham, PA, 8:00 a.m. Meet at park office (39.740111,-76.037667)
Leader: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com), Patty Werth (484-985-8164, pattyww@comcast.net) and John Werth (215-859-1148)

Note: The site for the 2nd in our series of monthly bird walks in the seven Chester County Parks, Nottingham County Park boasts some of the most unique natural features in the park system. This accessible park near the Maryland border protects a globally rare ecosystem comprised of serpentine rock, oak-pine barrens, savannahs, prairies, and many unique plants, which in turn harbor a wide variety of birds.
This outing will cover 1-2 miles and will last approximately 2 hours.
Restrooms are available on site at the park office, where we will meet.
Nottingham Park

What's New With Birds on the Move? Recent discoveries about migratory bird ecology using radar and telemetry
2022-04-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Dr. Jeffrey Buler – Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware

Dr. Buler will share highlights of recent and ongoing research by his lab and colleagues in the field of aeroecology; the study of the ecology of flying animals aloft. He will talk about how he uses radar and telemetry technologies to make new discoveries into 1) why and where birds stopover when migrating through the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes regions, 2) how waterfowl in the Delmarva peninsula may play a role for avian influenza transmission risk to poultry, and 3) the movement and roosting ecology of Purple Martins in our region.

Jeff Buler’s broad research interests include avian ecology, landscape ecology, remote-sensing, and conservation biology. Dr. Buler established the Aeroecology Program at the University of Delaware in 2011. He is an international leader in the development of novel methods and software for using weather surveillance radars to study the broad-scale distribution, movement, and habitat use patterns of birds, insects, and bats.

California Dreaming
2022-03-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Kurt Schwarz

The Great Marsh
2022-03-20 08:00 - 11:00
For: Winter Residents and 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.

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.

Hibernia County Park, Coatesville, PA
2022-03-20 08:00 - 10:00
For: Local Birds
Place: 1 Park Road, Coatesville, PA, 8:00 a.m. Meet at the park office (40.029944,-75.841333)
Leaders: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com), Patty Werth (484-985-8614, pattyww@comcast.net) and John Werth (215-859-1148)
Note: The Chester County Parks system has seven wonderful parks which provide excellent birdwatching opportunities. Join the West Chester Bird Club and Valley Forge Audubon Society on these joint field trips to explore all seven of the parks, one per month, in 2022.
We begin the series at Hibernia County Park, home to woods, fields, and the 94-acre Chambers Lake. We will meander through the park’s various habitats searching for birds, and hope for some interesting waterfowl resting and feeding on the lake.
This field trip will cover 1-2 miles and will last approximately 2 hours.
Restrooms are available on site at the park office, where we will meet.
Hibernia Park

Waterfowl of Western Chester County, Marsh Creek State Park
2022-03-19 08:00 - 17:00
For: Migrants & residents
Place: 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. Covid protocols apply, please confirm attendance and bring your mask. Due to Covid concerns, check with leader to confirm if a participant limit is in effect and if carpooling is occurring.
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

"Australia 7-19 ... and Then Some!" ... Life-List stops in Italy, Japan & Southern Arizona too!
2022-03-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Sheila Martin

The Great Marsh
2022-02-20 08:00 - 11:00, 2022-01-16 08:00 - 11:00
For: Winter Residents
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.
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, or snowy or icy 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 Great Backyard Bird Count
2022-02-19
For: Winter residents
Place: Your feeders and your yard
Coordinator: Carol Majors (610-399-1509, carolmajors@gmail.com)
Note: Count birds at your feeder, in your yard or any site of your choosing. Although the bird count is Feb. 18 to 21, only lists for Feb. 19 will be counted in the report. Input data into eBird.org and send to coordinator. All results must be sent to Carol by February 28. For more information, see website at Great Backyard Bird Count.

Bombay Hook NWR and North
2022-02-12 08:30 - 17:00
For: Waterfowl and other late winter visitors
Place: Bombay Hook Headquarters, 8:30 a.m.
Leaders: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com)
Note: Minimal walking involved. Bring lunch, this is an all day trip.
Directions: Meet at NWR, 2591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977 at 8:30 a.m. Do not leave the HQ; depending on birding on Whitehall Neck Rd, we may arrive to the HQ after 8:30. Please contact leader if you will meet the group at Bombay Hook. We will bird Bombay Hook and head north to various spots in Delaware.
Carpooling: Due to Covid concerns, check with leader to confirm if carpooling is occurring. Meet at Painters Crossing, PA, on the northwest corner of Routes 1 and 202. Departure time: 7:00 a.m.
Bombay Hook NWR

Women in Birding-a Force beyond Feathers
2022-02-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Debbie Beer – President of the Birding Club of Delaware County (BCDC)
Women have connected to birds long before there were binoculars, smart phones or social media. As culture and communications evolve, the stories of women’s roles in ornithology and birding are emerging with due prominence. In pre-industrial America, it took special grit for a woman to stand out in any scientific endeavor, amid scores of men. It still takes effort, but the scales are tipping as women birders make a difference as ornithologists, teachers, researchers, writers, artists, promoters, tour operators, and inspiration for all who love wild birds. From Rosalie Edge – the hellcat of raptor conservation, and Harriet Hemenway – the plume-scorning fashionista, to Graceanna Lewis – a maverick in bird taxonomy, and Rachel Carson, whose book saved countless endangered species, women have been influential members of the birding community for millenia. Join me to learn about a few women whose names may be unfamiliar, but whose impact is indelible as a force beyond feathers.

Debbie Beer has been an avid birder for more than 20 years. She’s travelled to multiple countries and continents for birding, including Africa, India, Brazil and beyond. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia is Debbie’s favorite local patch, where she directs the annual “Big Sit” event and leads monthly bird walks. Debbie is fortunate to blend professional and personal interests while working for Natural Lands as Director of Volunteers. In that capacity she manages robust volunteer bird survey, nestbox monitoring, and land stewardship programs on Natural Lands properties. Debbie participates in the annual Christmas Bird Count, Philadelphia Mid-Winter Bird Census and other conservation initiatives. She is an avid eBirder, fellow of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC) and president of the Birding Club of Delaware County (BCDC). Debbie is passionate about sharing nature with others, supporting conservation, and advocating access to green space in a diverse, urban community.

Note: This is a virtual meeting. Zoom signon will start at 7:15 to enable the meeting to begin at 7:30.

Ellis Woods Park, East Coventry Township, Chester County, PA
2022-02-05 08:30 - 12:00
Time: Saturday, 8:30 a.m.
Place: 855 Ellis Woods Road, Pottstown 19465
For: Winter residents
Leaders: Patty & John Werth (484-985-8164 h, 215-859-1148 day of walk, pattyww@comcast.net)
Note: Trails are earthen on rolling hills and depending on weather conditions may be muddy and slippery. Good footwear is a must.
This walk is in conjunction with Valley Forge Audubon Society.
Directions: From West Chester, take Hwy 100 N to east on Rte 23. After 1.3 miles, turn left on Ebelhare Rd, and follow for 2 miles to Ellis Woods Rd. Turn left and go 0.4 miles; the park entrance is at the township building on the right.

Ellis Woods

Shark River Inlet and North Shore of New Jersey - Note New Date
2022-01-23 09:00 - 17:00
For: Loons, grebes and other waterfowl
Place: Belmar Manutti Marina parking lot in Belmar, NJ, 9:00 a.m.
Leaders: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com)
Note: Minimal walking involved. Bring lunch, this is an all day trip.
Directions: The Belmar Manutti Marina is at: 905 Route 35, Belmar, NJ 07719. Follow Route 35 to 10th Street where you turn left into the Marina.
Carpooling: Due to Covid concerns, check with leader to confirm if a participant limit is in effect and if carpooling is occurring. Meet leader at the King of Prussia North parking lot between Yard House and Modell’s Sporting Goods. Departure 7:30 a.m.

Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body and Soul
2022-01-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Holly Merker – Club member and lead author of the new book “Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body and Soul”
Watching birds: not only fun, but good for you!
Learn why getting your daily dose of Ornitherapy is just what the doctor ordered….
Ornitherapy, or a more mindful approach to the observation of birds, benefits our mind, body, and soul. We’re pushed and pulled in many directions, no matter our age. If we allow birds and nature to slow us down, we are practicing a form of “selfcare”. Research shows that exposure to nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. Birds are gateways into deeper experiences with nature, magnifying these benefits. Through observation, we can learn not only about birds, but gain insight into our own lives while exploring our connection to the world around us. This fosters stewardship and bolsters conservation.
Within the program, we’ll delve into our connections to birds, how to practice Ornitherapy for optimal benefits, and learn about the latest research in the power of nature for overall wellbeing. Come listen to how watching birds can bring you more than just the enjoyment.

Holly Merker has a background in art therapy, but today employs birds and nature toward the same goals of wellbeing in her work as an environmental educator and birding guide. Holly has worked as a professional birding instructor for National Audubon, the American Birding Association, and many other organizations. Passionate about connecting young people to birds, she co-founded the Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium, and has facilitated many young birder groups and teen birding camps. Dedicated to bird conservation, she has been state coordinator/reviewer for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Pennsylvania since 2005, and a two-term voting member of the PA Ornithological Records Committee, as well as the Committee Chair. Holly is lead author of the book Ornitherapy: For Your Body, Mind, and Soul (along with co-authors Richard Crossley and Sophie Crossley, Crossley Books, 2021) and is currently promoting the practice of Ornitherapy and providing workshops and programs across the U.S. In her free time, Holly spends every possible moment practicing Ornitherapy herself, which she credits in helping her defeat breast cancer, restoring her health mentally and physically.

Note: This is a virtual meeting. Zoom signon will start at 7:15 to enable the meeting to begin at 7:30.

Valley Forge Christmas Bird Count
2021-12-26
For: Winter residents
Place: Assigned territories, any time from midnight to midnight.
Coordinator: Vincent Smith (484-410-1157, nyctea34@aol.com)
Note: This annual event includes teams of birders surveying eleven sections within a prescribed 15 mile diameter circle, the center of which is the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. Beginning and experienced birders are welcome. Section leaders will notify past participants. New volunteers please register by Dec. 17 to be assigned to a team.

The Great Marsh
2021-12-19 08:00 - 11:00
For: Winter Residents
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.
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.

Saving the Cerulean Warbler
2021-12-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Katie Fallon

The Great Marsh
2021-11-21 08:00 - 11:00
For: Winter Residents and Rusty Blackbirds
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.
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.

Bander of Pennsylvania's Rare Hummingbirds
2021-11-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Sandy Lockerman

The Emilie Snethlage Expedition: Women Studying Birds in the Amazon Forest
2021-11-01 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Glausia Del-Rio & Anna Hiller

Museum of Natural Science
Louisiana State University
