Please contact trip leader in advance if you are planning to go on a field trip.

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  • WCBC Annual Summer Picnic

    For: Good times!

    Place & Time: Copeland School, 674 Copeland School Road, West Chester, PA; 6:00 p.m.

    Hosts: Randy and Janet Aylam (aylamrs@verizon.net))

    Notes: Covered dish picnic. As is our custom, the picnic will be pot luck. Everyone should bring some food to share and drinks for yourself. Please bring non-disposable plates and cutlery to avoid waste. There will be tables and chairs available in the building.

    Also there is a small wooded park, Jane I Reed Park, located a short walk from the schoolhouse if anyone would like to do a short birding walk. The park has a path about a .3 mile loop in the woods and it is about a .4 mile walk to the park, so allow 1 - 1.5 hours if you want to do a bird walk. If anyone is interested, let us know and we can try to set up something more formal for people to join together for the walk.

    Parking: In the East Bradford township building lot, across from the schoolhouse. There is also a large lot on the north side of Copeland School Rd, before the stop sign. If you have to park there, use caution crossing Copeland School Rd. Please try the township building lot first, it should hold everyone.

  • The Great Marsh

    For: Summer Residents

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

    Leader: Barry Blust. 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 that the day has been shifted from Sunday to Saturday this month.

    Note: Join local birder Barry Blust 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

    For: Shorebirds, herons and summer residents

    Google MapPlace: 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: Meet at Painters Crossing, PA, on the northwest corner of US Routes 1 and 202.
    Departure time 7:00 a.m.

    Google MapBombay Hook NWR

  • The Great Marsh

    For: Summer Residents & 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 that the time has been shifted an hour earlier this month.

    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.

  • Chester County Parks Birding Series: #5 – Exton Park Evening Walk

    For: Early migrants such as Common Nighthawk

    Place: Exton Park, 6:00 p.m.

    Leader: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com), Patty & John Werth (pattyww@comcast.net)

    Note: The Chester County Parks system has seven wonderful parks which provide excellent birdwatching opportunities.  Join us as we explore all seven of the parks, one per month, in 2024.

    This 1-2 mile evening walk along level earthen paths will cover about a mile and take about 2 hours. Restrooms are available at the parking area where we will meet. This field trip is a collaboration between WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.
    Directions: Meet at the trailhead parking area for the Chester Valley Trail off of Church Farm Lane, NOT at the gravel lot on Swedesford Rd.

    Exton Park

  • Chester County Parks Birding Series: #7 – Hibernia Park

    For:  Fall migrants and resident birds

    Place: : 1 Park Rd. Coatesville, PA

    Leader: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com), Patty & John Werth (pattyww@comcast.net)

    Note: The Chester County Parks system has seven wonderful parks which provide excellent birdwatching opportunities.  Join us as we explore all seven of the parks, one per month, in 2024.

    This outing will cover about 2 miles and will last approximately 2-3 hours. There is a modern restroom at the park office, where we will meet. This field trip is a collaboration between WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.

    Directions: We will meet at the park office near the mansion off of Park Rd.

    Hibernia Park 

  • Ramsey Road, Wilmington, DE

    For: Migrants and resident birds

    Place: Parking lot off of Ramsey Rd., 8:00 a.m.

    Leader: Carol Majors (484-883-8311, carolmajors@gmail.com)

    Note: A walk along the Brandywine Creek in Delaware. The walk is about 2 miles over fairly even terrain. New bridge over 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.

  • Turkey Point, Elk Neck State Park, North East, MD

    For: Migrants and resident birds

    Place: Royal Farms at the junction of US Route 40 & MD Route 781. On the eastern side of Elkton, on the north side of Route 40, 7:30 a.m.

    Leader: Armas Hill (302-529-1876, Armas@focusonnature.com)

    Note: A walk to the marsh and other habitats at Elk Landing, the Elk River Park and then to the Elk Neck State Forest including the arboretum. Lastly to the Elk Neck State Park, at the head of Chesapeake Bay, 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 completed around noon. Afternoon birding may be available if people wish to continue. If so, bring lunch. There is a bathroom in the state park.

    Directions: Route 95 south to Delaware 896 south. Turn right on Rt. 40 to the parking lot at the intersection of Rts. 40 and 781.

    Elk Neck State Park
    Turkey Point Lighthouse

  • The Great Marsh

    For: Summer Residents & 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, 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.

  • Chambers Lake Big Sit, Hibernia Park, Coatesville, PA

    For: Fall migrants

    Place: The South side of Chambers Lake, 8:00 a.m.

    Leader: Larry Lewis - Early Bird Tours (484-340-7672, earlybirdtours@comcast.net)

    Note: A Big Sit is an all-day affair, but everyone is welcome to come and go as they please. It is usually a fun time to see how many birds can be spotted while not moving out of a 15 foot circle. Great fun, with plenty of food and camaraderie, like tailgating.

    Directions: From Coatesville, PA (in western Chester County): From the Rt. 30 By-pass north of Coatesville, take Rt. 82 exit north. Turn left at the 4-way stop sign (Rt.340) and go 1.3 miles to Wagontown Rd. Turn right on Wagontown Rd. and continue on this winding hill for 1.5 miles (you will pass the Hibernia Park entrance on your right). Continue up the hill and the lake will become visible on the right. If attending the "Big Sit", continue a couple of tenths of a mile further along Wagontown Rd. past the lake parking lot and to the western dike of the lake. Carefully pull off the road and park in the grass near the dike. You will see us sitting on the dike near the road.

    Chambers Lake

  • Smithsonian’s Feather Identification Lab

    Faridah Dahlan & Ingred Rochon

    Did you know that molecular and microscopic identification of feathers plays a key role in aviation safety? The Smithsonian’s Feather Identification Lab processes over 11,000 wildlife strike cases each year to determine which species of birds are involved in collisions with aircraft – the first step to implementing preventative measures to keep both birds and people safe. Learn how the lab identifies both whole feathers and fragmentary bird remains (aka “snarge”) using the Smithsonian’s collection of 600,000 bird specimens, as well as the resources of the museum’s Laboratories of Analytical Biology.

     

    Presenter Faridah Dahlan is a molecular specialist who has worked for the Feather Lab since 2008. Ingrid Rochon began working at the Smithsonian in 2016 as a museum technician, joining the Feather Lab in 2023 as an apprentice microscopist under Dr. Carla Dove.

     

    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.

     

  • Chester County Parks Birding Series: Hibernia Park

    For:  Fall migrants and resident birds

    Place: : 1 Park Rd. Coatesville, PA

    Leader: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com), Patty & John Werth (pattyww@comcast.net)

    Note: The Chester County Parks system has seven wonderful parks which provide excellent birdwatching opportunities.  Join us as we explore all seven of the parks, one per month, in 2024 & 2025.

    This outing will cover about 2 miles and will last approximately 2-3 hours. There is a modern restroom at the park office, where we will meet. This field trip is a collaboration between WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.

    Directions: We will meet at the park office near the mansion off of Park Rd.

    Hibernia Park