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  • My Patagonia: Scenery, Cryptic Mammals, & Birds, Birds, Birds!

    Speaker: Sheila Martin

    Jump on board with WCBC member Sheila Martin as we pictorially explore untamed Patagonia - where some of the world’s most stunning landscapes are filled with wildlife to the max!

     

    Moment by moment, the experience of hiking the walkways around Iguazu Falls is simply nature at its finest.  And, for Sheila, when Plush-crested Jay & Chestnut-eared Aracari appeared in the parking lot, she knew it would be days of incomparable sighting thrills, including up to two dozen dizzying endemics to follow, just in that pre-tour locale!

     

    Atlantic coastal Argentina in November offers exceptional close-up wildlife observation, straight down to the straits of Tierra del Fuego - with Red Knots ready to migrate, and Austral Negrito & “Loica” ever-present. Farther inland, we find the best puma viewing on the planet!  It was southern-hemisphere springtime ’22 - and all the breeding birds were showing off their best. While in Chile, the quaint atmosphere, friendly locals and Patagonia Sierra-finch, Tufted Tit-tyrant plus Magellanic Woodpecker further enriched her experience.

     

    Relive with Sheila her outrageously memorable jaunt through a stark & jaw-dropping part of the globe, full of scenery, wild mammals, and birds, birds, BIRDS!

     

    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.

  • Binky Lee Preserve, Chester County, PA

    For: Migrants and resident birds

    Google MapPlace: Natural Lands' Binky Lee Preserve at 1445 Pikeland Road in Chester Springs, 8:00 a.m.

    Leaders: Luc Jacobs (484-706-1999, jacobsluc52@yahoo.com)

    Note: This will be a 3 to 4 hour walk covering about 2.5 miles with a decent grade at one point. We will be looking for resident and migrating birds including Bobolinks, Yellow-breasted Chats and sparrows in grass fields and shaded woodland paths.

    Directions: Call or email the leader for directions or use the link below. The Google Maps coordinates are: 40.095808, -75.603413.

    Binky Lee Preserve

  • Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve, Vincentown, NJ

    Place: At Preserve at 9:00 a.m or Carpool from Painter's Crossing departing at 7:15 a.m.

    Leaders: Lois Bryman (610-399-4613, lbryman25@gmail.com)

    Note1:  This trip is a 4.2 mile walk over flat terrain.  There are no bathrooms in the park, but plan to stop at Wawa (route 70 and Eyrestown road, 15 min from destination) on the way. Expect ticks and dress accordingly.  Bring binoculars, snack, lunch, and plenty of water. We will head over to Brendan T. Byrne State Forest for picnic lunch. Restrooms available.

    Directions:  449 Sooy Place Road, Tabernacle, NJ 08088) - approx. 39.864386, -74.612776 - just west of Johnson Place Rd. Park in the pull-off on the side of the road. We will meet at kiosk marking park entrance.  Find information and map on website below,

    Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve

  • ChesLen Preserve (formerly Embreeville County Park), PA

    For: Early migrants

    Google MapPlace: 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 Newlin Twp 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

  • White Clay Creek, Newark, DE

    For: Migrants and resident birds

    Place: Wedgewood Rd. parking lot, 7:45 a.m. (39.715200, -75.7603524)

    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

  • Even More Recent Discoveries About Migratory Bird Ecology Using Radar and Telemetry

    Jeff Buler

    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) how the Mid-West corn belt is a man-made migration barrier for forest birds, 2) the aquatic nature of Purple Martins in our region, and 3) the reintroduction of Northern Bobwhites into Pennsylvania.

     

    Jeff Buler is a Professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. His 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.

     

    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.

  • ChesLen Preserve

    For: Migrants and resident birds

    Google MapPlace: Natural Lands Trust Building at 1199 Cannery Rd. Coatesville, PA 8:00 a.m.

    Leaders: Cathy Huneke (610-368-2275, cathyhuneke@hotmail.com)

    Note: We will walk the Yellow Trail, about 3 miles. There is a bathroom on site.

    Directions: Take Rt. 842 south toward Unionville. Second road after Barnard’s Orchard take a right on to Cannery Road. The driveway to the Natural Land’s Lenfest Center is on the left. Park by the Center.

    Cheslen Preserve

  • 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.

  • The Great Marsh

    For: Spring Migrants

    Place: 28 Moores Road, Elverson, PA, 7:00 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.

  • Birding in South India – A Travelogue

    Vinobha Karthik Panner Selvam

    Birding in India offers both overwhelming and exhilarating experiences, with a higher density of birds and people per square mile compared to the US. Imagine traveling alongside an Indian immigrant and avid birder, reconnecting with his deep-rooted love for nature as he rediscovers the avian treasures closer to home in the tropical forests he almost forgot.
     
    Vinobha Pannerselvam is a Data Consultant by profession and recently found birding as his life’s passion and purpose. He travels regularly to India and spends time enjoying South Indian birds during his travel. He served in a few conservation boards locally and he currently serves as President of Bucks County Birders & is a board member of Warrington Environmental Advisory Council (EAC).

     

    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: #2 – Nottingham County Park

    For: Breeding birds such as Yellow-breasted Chat and Prairie Warbler

    Place: 150 Park Rd, Nottingham, PA 19362, 8:00 a.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.

    Nottingham County Park 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, some of which reliably breed here but very few other places in the county. This walk will cover 1-2 miles on gently sloping natural surface trails and will last approximately 2-3 hours. Modern restrooms are available on site at the park office. This field trip is a collaboration between WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.

    Directions: Turn left as you enter the park. We will meet in the first large parking area just beyond the park office.

    Nottingham Park

  • Hibernia Park, Coatesville, PA

    For: Summer residents

    Place: Pavilion 4 Lot 790 Cedar Knoll Rd, 8:30 a.m.

    Leaders: Lois Bryman (610-399-4613, lbryman25@gmail.com)

    Note: 3 hour trip, about 2 miles in mostly flat field or hard dirt paths

    Directions: From Downingtown, take Route 30 bypass west to exit for Route 82 north. Exit ramp, go left on Rt. 82 to the top of the hill then take a left onto Cedar Knoll Rd. Proceed about 1.9 miles to second park entrance on left #790. DO NOT go to #720 which is the first entrance to the park.

    Hibernia Park