Date: 2/17/25 7:24 am From: <bluebird6771...> <000056793b0161d0-dmarc-request...> Subject: Fw: NYTimes.com: Hummingbirds Living in a Hive Found for the First Time
----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Donna Sutin Queeney <dqueeney...>To: Nick Kerlin <bluebird6771...>Sent: Monday, February 17, 2025 at 09:31:15 AM ESTSubject: NYTimes.com: Hummingbirds Living in a Hive Found for the First Time Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription.
Hummingbirds Living in a Hive Found for the First Time
In a remote mountain cave in Ecuador, hummingbirds were discovered sleeping and nesting together.
Date: 2/14/25 6:18 pm From: Lee, Jen <jal21...> Subject: Union County 23 Bald Eagles !!
Filled in to cover a northern Union county Winter Raptor Route today. The highlight was finding 23 Bald Eagles near the back of a chicken barn!!! They were on a manure pile, on the ground in the corn stubble, perched in the back tree line along a small creek and a few in the air. So cool ! Mostly immature birds.
If anyone wants to give it a try ...
Union County along Church Rd.
Not far from tiny Cowan Pa
Manure pile: 40.949038,-77.031404
Where we pulled off: 40.952839,-77.028189
Scope was helpful for perched tree line birds.
Approx time 2:30pm (perhaps that's when the barn is cleaned out of dead birds?)
Date: 2/13/25 8:49 am From: Thomas, Brady Scott <bst5117...> Subject: February 26th 7 pm: Carl Engstrom presents βUnderstanding Landscape and Habitat Associations for an Imperiled Songbird"
Hello Bird Club!
This month, on Wednesday, February 26th at 7pm, Carl Engstrom will be presenting a program titled Understanding Landscape and Habitat Associations for an Imperiled Songbird.
Carl will be presenting to us via zoom, and the link to register is https://psu.zoom.us/meeting/register/FbLats86QjGCKhfvHS7KMA. We will be offering a zoom watch party, in addition to the typical Bird Club meeting business, in the Spring Creek Education Building at Millbrook Marsh, at 7pm. I have it on good authority that there will be tea, hot water, and maybe the chance of some baked goods as well.
Carl Engstrom grew up in State College where his love of birding was fostered by his parents and the greater central Pennsylvania birding community. He attended Penn State where he graduated with a major in Biology and a minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Outside of school Carl has assisted with numerous avian research projects including monitoring Wood Thrush nest success in central Pennsylvania, conducting point counts on saltmarsh bird species in New Jersey, and identifying habitat associations for sagebrush breeding songbirds in Montana. Currently, Carl is finishing his Master of Science degree at The Ohio State University where his research focused on understanding Cerulean Warbler breeding habitat selection in Ohio.
Hope to see you there!
Brady Thomas
(he/him)
Education Program Coordinator
School Programs and Summer Camp
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
3400 Discovery Road
Petersburg, PA, 16669
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Date: 2/5/25 6:12 pm From: Lee, Jen <jal21...> Subject: WRS - South-Central Centre Co #146
Centre County, South-Central Route #146
(route loops from millbrook marsh to fox hollow rd to airport rds to fisherman's paradise to benner pike to shiloh & trout rd and back to millbrook)
Date Wed 2/5/2025
Observers Jen Lee, Nora Serotkin,
Roana Fuller
Survey time 3 hrs, 14 mins
Start/End: 12:11pm / 3:35pm (10 min break)
Miles on route: 46.7 miles
Date: 2/5/25 6:21 am From: Wentzel, Doug <djw105...> Subject: Fwd: PSO Webinar - Lights Out for Birds: Community Solutions to Avian Conservation
Greetings all,
Tomorrow night the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) is hosting a zoom webinar, with a couple of familiar faces. Joe Gyekis will host Matt Shumar (a Birding Cup teammate and former educator at Shaverβs Creek, and Matt provided an excellent program a few years ago for the club) for an update on the work he is doing on this important conservation topic.
Best,
Doug
Due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that is currently affecting many parts of the state, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is restricting public access at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, effective Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.Β
With the continued warming trends and the anticipated arrival of snow geese to Middle Creek, this decision was made out of an abundance of caution for human and domestic animal health.Β
Beginning Tuesday, the following areas will be CLOSED to all public access:
Β
- Willow Point Parking Lot and Trail
- Archery Range
- Boat Launch
- White Oak Picnic Area
- All shoreline access of the lake, INCLUDING fishing
Β
The Wildlife Drive remains seasonally closed, and an extended closure is possible.
Hiking trails (with the exception of Willow Point Trail and Deer Path Trail) and the Visitor Center will remain open during regular business hours, and all events will take place as scheduled.Β
All visitors are reminded:
Β
- If you have pet birds, backyard domesticpoultry, or connections with commercial poultry facilities, you are STRONGLY discouraged to visit during this time to minimize transmission risk.Β
- You are HIGHLY ADVISED to remain in your vehicles while observing wildlife from roadways.Β
Β
Please remember the public plays a critical role in wildlife health surveillance. Report sick or dead wild birds to the Game Commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453).
I just came from there with no luck today. 2nd attempt. I park at the burned church and walk the road. 550 is super busy on the weekend and difficult to walk along. A local stopped and said heβs seen them in the creek and down 550 in a farm field where the Canada geese lay in the field. I walked all the way down there and they were not among the Canadas.
Good luck! Deb Rittelmann Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 2, 2025, at 10:48β―AM, Judy Sinn <junebugg1910...> wrote: > > ο»Ώ > Hi, > Can anyone advise me where you park/walk to spot the Sandhill cranes that keep visiting the Fillmore Road area? I haven't seen anywhere that looks like the public can park and always wind up with a car on my bumper until I find a place to make a U-turn 1/4 mi down the road in any direction :) > Thanks, > Judy Sinn
Date: 2/2/25 7:49 am From: Judy Sinn <junebugg1910...> Subject: viewing Sandhill Cranes
Hi, Can anyone advise me where you park/walk to spot the Sandhill cranes that keep visiting the Fillmore Road area? I haven't seen anywhere that looks like the public can park and always wind up with a car on my bumper until I find a place to make a U-turn 1/4 mi down the road in any direction :) Thanks, Judy Sinn
In past years, the number of rusties has peaked in March and April, and I'll be keeping an eye on the roost this spring as migration gets into gear. This early they are hit or miss. See dates below.
If anyone is interested in helping me count robins and blackbirds some evening (currently the best time is about 5:00 to 5:30 but as spring progresses and the sun sets later that will shift), send me an email and we could make arrangements to meet at Sunset Park to survey the chaos for a half hour or so, most evenings will work.
Joe
Date Number of Rusty Blackbirds Counted
[cid:628f9a73-2aa2-4c2e-9ff2-863b4a813960]
Date: 1/30/25 8:53 am From: Wentzel, Doug <djw105...> Subject: Opportunity to become a Community Steward
Greetings all,
Below is an opportunity to help with public outreach in the Centre Region. And if not for you, perhaps someone else that might enjoy joining this new community that is forming to encourage sustainability.
Best,
Doug
I can remember Dorothy reading the bird lists for so many years. Her querying eyebrows taught me a lot about what species were and were not expected in the area.
Best,
George
________________________________
From: State College (PA) Bird Club on behalf of Wentzel, Doug
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 12:12 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Re: Dorothy Bordner's passing
Here is Dorothyβs obituary from Koch Funeral home, and I fondly remember Dorothyβs presence at Bird Club meetings. As Nick and Margaret point out, Dorothy contributed to the clubβs leadership for many years, and also to the understanding of birds through her art, banding activities and more.
Best,
Doug
On Jan 28, 2025, at 8:13β―AM, Brittingham, Margaret <mxb21...> wrote:
Thank you Nick for letting us know. Dorothy and her mother Blanche were very active in the Bird Club. I did not see the obituary on the website, but I received an email from a friend of Dorothyβs who said there will be visitation at noon followed by a service at 1pm on Wednesday January 29th at Koch Funeral Home. Please pass this on to others that may have known Dorthy and want to attend.
I was recently informed that longtime bird club member Dorothy Bordner passed away on Feb. 25.
Dorothy served the club over the years as president, secretary and treasurer. She was a mathematics instructor at Penn State. As a licensed bird bander she worked on various bird banding projects here in State College and in New Jersey. Dorothy also served as secretary of the Eastern Bird Banding Association.
A talented artist, her drawings of birds were featured in the books of Merrill Wood and in the recent history of the State College Bird Club.
Services for her will be this Wednesday, January 29 at the Koch Funeral home in State College. A complete obituary should be available on the funeral home website later today.
Date: 1/28/25 10:56 am From: Grove, Deborah Shuey <dsg4...> Subject: Re: Dorothy Bordner's passing
I can still hear her in my head. Whenever I say a certain species, it comes out with a memory of how she said it.
Deb
Deborah S. Grove
________________________________
From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> on behalf of Young, George Spencer <g3y...>
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 1:22:15 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...> <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Re: Dorothy Bordner's passing
I can remember Dorothy reading the bird lists for so many years. Her querying eyebrows taught me a lot about what species were and were not expected in the area.
Best,
George
________________________________
From: State College (PA) Bird Club on behalf of Wentzel, Doug
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 12:12 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Re: Dorothy Bordner's passing
Here is Dorothyβs obituary from Koch Funeral home, and I fondly remember Dorothyβs presence at Bird Club meetings. As Nick and Margaret point out, Dorothy contributed to the clubβs leadership for many years, and also to the understanding of birds through her art, banding activities and more.
Best,
Doug
On Jan 28, 2025, at 8:13β―AM, Brittingham, Margaret <mxb21...> wrote:
Thank you Nick for letting us know. Dorothy and her mother Blanche were very active in the Bird Club. I did not see the obituary on the website, but I received an email from a friend of Dorothyβs who said there will be visitation at noon followed by a service at 1pm on Wednesday January 29th at Koch Funeral Home. Please pass this on to others that may have known Dorthy and want to attend.
I was recently informed that longtime bird club member Dorothy Bordner passed away on Feb. 25.
Dorothy served the club over the years as president, secretary and treasurer. She was a mathematics instructor at Penn State. As a licensed bird bander she worked on various bird banding projects here in State College and in New Jersey. Dorothy also served as secretary of the Eastern Bird Banding Association.
A talented artist, her drawings of birds were featured in the books of Merrill Wood and in the recent history of the State College Bird Club.
Services for her will be this Wednesday, January 29 at the Koch Funeral home in State College. A complete obituary should be available on the funeral home website later today.
Date: 1/28/25 10:22 am From: Young, George Spencer <g3y...> Subject: Re: Dorothy Bordner's passing
I can remember Dorothy reading the bird lists for so many years. Her querying eyebrows taught me a lot about what species were and were not expected in the area.
Best,
George
________________________________
From: State College (PA) Bird Club on behalf of Wentzel, Doug
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 12:12 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Re: Dorothy Bordner's passing
Here is Dorothyβs obituary from Koch Funeral home, and I fondly remember Dorothyβs presence at Bird Club meetings. As Nick and Margaret point out, Dorothy contributed to the clubβs leadership for many years, and also to the understanding of birds through her art, banding activities and more.
Best,
Doug
On Jan 28, 2025, at 8:13β―AM, Brittingham, Margaret <mxb21...> wrote:
Thank you Nick for letting us know. Dorothy and her mother Blanche were very active in the Bird Club. I did not see the obituary on the website, but I received an email from a friend of Dorothyβs who said there will be visitation at noon followed by a service at 1pm on Wednesday January 29th at Koch Funeral Home. Please pass this on to others that may have known Dorthy and want to attend.
I was recently informed that longtime bird club member Dorothy Bordner passed away on Feb. 25.
Dorothy served the club over the years as president, secretary and treasurer. She was a mathematics instructor at Penn State. As a licensed bird bander she worked on various bird banding projects here in State College and in New Jersey. Dorothy also served as secretary of the Eastern Bird Banding Association.
A talented artist, her drawings of birds were featured in the books of Merrill Wood and in the recent history of the State College Bird Club.
Services for her will be this Wednesday, January 29 at the Koch Funeral home in State College. A complete obituary should be available on the funeral home website later today.
Here is Dorothyβs obituary from Koch Funeral home, and I fondly remember Dorothyβs presence at Bird Club meetings. As Nick and Margaret point out, Dorothy contributed to the clubβs leadership for many years, and also to the understanding of birds through her art, banding activities and more.
Best,
Doug
> On Jan 28, 2025, at 8:13β―AM, Brittingham, Margaret <mxb21...> wrote:
>
> Thank you Nick for letting us know. Dorothy and her mother Blanche were very active in the Bird Club. I did not see the obituary on the website, but I received an email from a friend of Dorothyβs who said there will be visitation at noon followed by a service at 1pm on Wednesday January 29th at Koch Funeral Home. Please pass this on to others that may have known Dorthy and want to attend.
>
> Margaret
>
> From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> <mailto:<SCBIRDCL...>> On Behalf Of <bluebird6771...> <mailto:<bluebird6771...> > Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 12:32 PM
> To: <SCBIRDCL...> <mailto:<SCBIRDCL...> > Subject: Dorothy Bordner's passing
>
> I was recently informed that longtime bird club member Dorothy Bordner passed away on Feb. 25.
>
> Dorothy served the club over the years as president, secretary and treasurer. She was a mathematics instructor at Penn State. As a licensed bird bander she worked on various bird banding projects here in State College and in New Jersey. Dorothy also served as secretary of the Eastern Bird Banding Association.
>
> A talented artist, her drawings of birds were featured in the books of Merrill Wood and in the recent history of the State College Bird Club.
>
> Services for her will be this Wednesday, January 29 at the Koch Funeral home in State College. A complete obituary should be available on the funeral home website later today.
>
> Nick Kerlin
Date: 1/28/25 5:13 am From: Brittingham, Margaret <mxb21...> Subject: Re: Dorothy Bordner's passing
Thank you Nick for letting us know. Dorothy and her mother Blanche were very active in the Bird Club. I did not see the obituary on the website, but I received an email from a friend of Dorothyβs who said there will be visitation at noon followed by a service at 1pm on Wednesday January 29th at Koch Funeral Home. Please pass this on to others that may have known Dorthy and want to attend.
Margaret
From: State College (PA) Bird Club <SCBIRDCL...> On Behalf Of <bluebird6771...>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 12:32 PM
To: <SCBIRDCL...>
Subject: Dorothy Bordner's passing
I was recently informed that longtime bird club member Dorothy Bordner passed away on Feb. 25.
Dorothy served the club over the years as president, secretary and treasurer. She was a mathematics instructor at Penn State. As a licensed bird bander she worked on various bird banding projects here in State College and in New Jersey. Dorothy also served as secretary of the Eastern Bird Banding Association.
A talented artist, her drawings of birds were featured in the books of Merrill Wood and in the recent history of the State College Bird Club.
Services for her will be this Wednesday, January 29 at the Koch Funeral home in State College. A complete obituary should be available on the funeral home website later today.
Date: 1/27/25 11:53 am From: Robert Snyder <birdphotoginpa...> Subject: Bald Eagle SP Christmas Bird Count Summary
Hello All,
The 125st Audubon Christmas Bird Count was held at Bald Eagle SP
(PABE Circle) on 12/29/2024. It was the 44th year for the BESP CBC,
started in 1980. This is my 20th year as compiler for the PABE Circle (I
started in Dec 2004; phew, where'd the time go?). The center of the circle
is at the only traffic light in Howard and encompasses the Marsh Creek
Valley and surrounding roads, west side of Beech Creek north to the
village of Moshannon, Bald Eagle Valley from I-80 to the Blanchard area
including Bald Eagle SP, Curtin Hollow Rd, Curtin Village, Curtin Wetlands,
Bald Eagle Creek from Dowdy's Hole to Bullit Run, Route 64 from Zion to the
Lamar Fish hatchery and surrounding areas (Circle map attached below).
We had 20 observers in the field in 11 groups, who put in a total of
48.25 party hours. The total *number of species found was 63* (around the
average), with a *total of 6,362 individuals* counted.
There was one *Count Week Species* (three days prior and after count
day): *1 Great Egret* that was seen at or close to the Marina area by a
total of 10 observers. A rare bird report was required and was submitted
with photographs and eBird reports from all observers. Another rare bird
report was sent for a lone Bonaparte's Gull that was seen in the park on
Count Day. Copies of both rare bird reports are attached below.
Results:
(Note that a pdf summary of the PABE results is also attached below.)
Weather for Count Day: heavy fog until nearly noon, basically no snow
cover, ice on the lake with open stretches of water. The temperature was
39ΒΊ F in the morning and reached 59ΒΊ in the afternoon and the wind was calm.
The most unusual species for Count Day, or count week was the *Great
Egret*. The only previous occurrence of Great Egret was in 2023, when three
of the birds were seen during December, on Count Day and a few days into
January.
A large open stretch of water observed from the vicinity of the dam,
held 100 *American Black Ducks* and 150 *Mallards*. A *Merlin* was reported
from the main park area (Ro Fuller, Susan Braun and Nora Serotkin). Merlins
have only been reported during 4 Counts over the past 44 years: 1 2018, 2
2021, 2 2023 and of course the single falcon that was reported this year in
the main park area.
*American Tree Sparrow* numbers have been up and down over the 44
years of this count and in decline since 2005. The highest numbers of ATSP
were seen during these counts: 1993- 352, 1994- 453, 1995- 359 and 1996-
320. During three recent CBC's, numbers of ATSPs were extremely low: 2021-
21, 2022- 8 and 2023- 16, though for this year's count 117 were observed.
See attached a pdf showing the ATSP data with a graph (from Audubon CBC
historic data).
Two birds that 'stuck out' to me were *Turkey Vulture* and *Black
Vulture*. Vultures have rarely been documented during the BESP CBC's over
the last 44 years, but they both did appear, each in four previous
count years. Past *Black Vulture* entries included 1992- 1, 2001-10, 2005-
11 and recently *2024- 3*. Data for *Turkey Vulture *sightings included;
2001- 3, 2005- 1, 2015- 5 and for this year, *2024-13*.
I looked at *Horned Lark*, being curious if any upward or downward
trend could be seen in their numbers over all years of the PABE Circle.
Sixty-five Horned Larks were seen during the 2024 count, reported by Joe
Bishop from Route D which follows the Jacksonville Road west from the I-80
overpass east through farm fields to Cedar Springs just inside Clinton
County. There were 21 obs of Horned Lark between 1981 - 2019. Numbers for
HOLA ranged from a low of 1 in 20021 to a high of 270 in 2003 and
everywhere else in between over those 21 CBC's. The summary graph and list
from the CBC database is attached below.
*Wild Turkeys* were extremely low in number for the circle this
year; only 2 birds were observed by Diane Bierly in the Marsh Creek valley
(the highest count for Wild Turkey was 491 in 2013).
Seven *Eastern Screech-Owls* were the only owls reported during the Count;
by Diane Bierly from the Marsh Creek route. Species (other than those
discussed above) with only one individual counted included *Ruddy Duck *(BESP),
*Pied-billed Grebe* (seen on the small pond SE of the Howard Nursey by Nick
Bolgiano), *Red-breasted Nuthatch*, *Ruby-crowned Kinglet*, *Gray
Catbird*, *Yellow-rumped
Warbler*, and *White-crowned Sparrow*.
A hearty "Thank You" goes out to everyone who participated in this year's
Count at Bald Eagle SP. Also, Good Luck to all who are presently
volunteering in the 3rd PA Bird Atlas.
Good Birding All
Bob Snyder
Compiler, PABE Circle (Bald Eagle SP)
1/27/2025
[image: RCKI I PC290863-Enhanced-NR copy.jpg]
Golden-crowned Kinglet, East Landing in Howard: Bald Eagle SP CBC
Do the best you can, where you are, with what you have.
Theodore Roosevelt
I was recently informed that longtime bird club member Dorothy Bordner passed away on Feb. 25.Β
Dorothy served the club over the years as president, secretary and treasurer.Β She was a mathematics instructor at Penn State. As a licensed bird banderΒ she worked on various bird banding projects here in State College and in New Jersey. Dorothy also served as secretary of the Eastern Bird Banding Association.
A talented artist, her drawings of birds were featured in the books of Merrill Wood and in the recent history of the State College Bird Club.
Services for her will be this Wednesday, January 29 at the Koch Funeral home in State College. A complete obituary should be available on the funeral home website later today.
Date: 1/27/25 6:11 am From: KATHLEEN BECHDEL <0000d165c6a818d5-dmarc-request...> Subject: State College Bird Club January Meeting Minutes
State College Bird Club Meeting Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Minutes
Submitted by Kathy Bechdel (substituting for Peggy Wagoner)
The meeting held at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, was a hybrid of in-person (20) and Zoom (14).
Doug Wentzel led the meeting.
1. Thank you to Mandy Maguffey and Millbrook Marsh Nature Center for the use of the room and the hot tea. Treats were provided by members. It appeared to be a unanimous decision to continue with Tea and Treats for meetings in the cold months of the year.
2. New attendees to in-person meeting introduced themselves.
A Holiday Card was received from Centre Foundation. A Thank-you note was received from Centre Wildlife Care for the grant they received in Summer 2024
4. Field Trip Report from Kathy Bechdel
Joe Gyekis will be leading three Arboretum walks on the January 30, February 27, and March 27. Meet at the Overlook Pavilion at 8 am.
Five spring walks have been scheduled.
Sunday, March 30 at Bald Eagle State Park with Bob Snyder Saturday, April 19 at Chicory Lane Farm with Joe Gyekis Saturday, April 26 at Tudek Park with Coty Ehrenhaus Sunday, May 18 at Plummer's Hollow with Eric Oliver (originally announced at meeting on May 3, but changed since that is Birding Cup weekend) Wednesday, May 14 at Lower Trail with Nick Bolgiano (originally announced at meeting with incorrect date)
An additional field trip is being scheduled for June.
All information will be posted on our website soon.
5. Announcements
February 5 is State College Reads Program at State College Area High School from 6 - 8 pm. Our Bird Club will partner with Shavers Creek to have tables at the event. Anyone interested in participating contact Doug.
February 14 - 17 is Great Backyard Bird Count
PA Birding Atlas - Amber Wiewel presenting information regarding participation in the PA Atlas during winter. Pennsylvania is currently in the process of a five-year Birding Atlas. This is Pennsylvania's third Atlas. The results of the Atlas are used to identify conservation needs for birds in the state. Everyone is welcome to contribute data through eBird. The winter season is being added for the first time. During this time some of the blocks have been identified as "priority", although data from all blocks will be accepted through the PA Atlas portal in eBird.
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center will commence with Spring Bird walks on Tuesdays beginning April 1 until May 6.
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center will commence with Spring Bird walks on Wednesdays beginning April 2 until May 7.
7. New Business
Eric Oliver shared information about an event on Sunday, March 9. Ethan Tapper, author of How to Love a Forest will be giving a presentation of his book at Shaver's Creek at 1pm. Registration is required and there is a maximum of 75 participants. In the morning on March 9, there will be a bird walk at Shaver's Creek and that will be by invitation only.
Doug announced a workshop at Schlow Library on Sunday January 26 at 2 pm, presented by the PA Native Plant Society. The workshop will discuss the benefits of native plants and how to introduce them into your backyard.
8. Guest Speaker
Brady Thomas introduced Ryan Hamilton, Land Conservation Manager, from Clearwater Conservancy.
Ryan presented the goals of Clearwater Conservancy, the process used to obtain conservation easements, and some of their success stories.
Ryan highlighted the history of Land Conservation through federal legislation that eventually led to the establishment of Clearwater Conservancy. Allowing tax deductions for donating land was instrumental in the process of acquiring land for conservation easements and land trusts.
The process that leads to land conservation takes several years and uses many strategies. These include ownership of the property, acquiring property and then transferring to another natural resource agency, and conservation easements.
There are many benefits to landowners including tax benefits, estate planning, land management and environmental stewardship. The conservation easements create open space and natural resource protection that benefits all of the public.
Ryan outlined a typical process from start to finish in acquiring a conservation easement. The steps include identifying a landowner, obtaining funding, researching the property/surveying, developing baseline documentation, creating a stewardship endowment, real estate closing and annual monitoring.
Ryan pointed out that he believes the process in acquiring more land in Pennsylvania is important because of the significant role our state plays in the migratory path of many birds.
Some of the success stories of Clearwater Conservancy include Rhoneymeade, Spring Creek Watershed, Spring Creek Canyon, Scotia Barrens, Grayswoods Preserve, Egg Hill (Joel's Woods), Stone Valley, and Slab Cabin Run
I received the following email from Bruce Peterjohn who is the Hummingbird
Bander in Richmond, Virginia who captured our Rufous Hummingbird on
December 7, 2024 to find she was already banded. It's been really cool --
there's been communication among the 3 hummingbird banders and the 3
homeowners who have hosted the Rufous. I'm just in awe of this little bird.
I am holding my breath until September to see if she returns for a 4th year
to our feeder!
Cheers!
Deb Rittelmann
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bruce Peterjohn <bpeterjohn...>
Date: Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 2:30β―PM
Subject: Rufous Hummingbird update
To: Debra Rittelmann <dlrittelmann...>, <ch3ll8...> <
<ch3ll8...>
Cc: Sandy Lockerman <sandylockerman...>, David La Puma <
<woodcreeper...>
Debra, Michele:
The good news is that the female Rufous Hummingbird has survived the cold
weather in Richmond this January. The temperatures have been 15-20 degrees
below normal since January 2. Daytime high temperatures frequently have not
reached freezing or barely made it into the 30sF. Nighttime lows have been
in the teens and occasionally single digits. While I am not surprised the
Rufous Hummingbirds can survive short spells of weather this cold, to
survive 3 weeks of constantly cold temperatures is much to ask of any
hummingbird. She is one tough little bird.
The weather forecasts are calling for a return to normal temperatures
(highs in mid-40s, lows in upper 20s) beginning on Sunday and at least for
next week. Hopefully, the worst of the cold weather is behind us.
I will keep you posted as I receive updates from the homeowner.
- *Why phenology is so important*
- *Examples of phenology research using iNaturalist data*
- *How you can help by adding flower and leaf annotations*
This webinar is part of a collaboration with Phenobase, a project supported
by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Weβll also cover how iNaturalist
data flows into Phenobase, and how Phenobase is using your annotations.
*Speakers:*
*Dr. Carrie Seltzer*, iNaturalist Head of Engagement
*Erin Grady*, M.S. Student, Florida Museum of Natural History
*Dr. Vijay Barve*, Digitization Project Manager, Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County
*Dr. Jeremy B. Yoder*, Associate Professor of Biology, California State
University Northridge
You received this email because your iNaturalist account (*mezzle*) is
associated with this email address (*<mer22david...>
<mer22david...>*). If you don't want emails like this, you can
unsubscribe below. Thank you for being part of the iNaturalist community!
Date: 1/21/25 12:11 pm From: Merrill David <mer22david...> Subject: Fwd: What are the Prototypes of Birds in Angry Birds?
Not sure why I got this, but thought some might find it of some interest or
at least amusing. (Kids at home? Or Angry Bird players?) LOL
-Merrill David
Subject: What are the Prototypes of Birds in Angry Birds?
Date: 1/21/25 8:07 am From: Wentzel, Doug <djw105...> Subject: A good night to enjoy a mug of herbal tea (January 22nd 7 pm: Ryan Hamilton presents βLand Conservation in Central Pennsylvania")
Greetings all,
I hope you are staying warm and doing your best to embrace the cold conditions. For those planning to attend the meeting in person tomorrow night, come a little early and fix yourself a cup of tea. Weβll have the kettle on, a variety of sweeteners and an assortment of herbal tea. Feel free to add to the tea selection and if so inclined, bring a baked good to share. And if you are zooming in, join us with your favorite warm beverage.
Hope to see you,
Best,
Doug
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: "Thomas, Brady Scott" <bst5117...>
> Subject: January 22nd 7 pm: Ryan Hamilton presents βLand Conservation in Central Pennsylvania"
> Date: January 15, 2025 at 4:17:28β―PM EST
> To: <SCBIRDCL...>
> Reply-To: "Thomas, Brady Scott" <bst5117...>
>
> Hello Bird Club!
>
> This month, on Wednesday, January 22nd at 7pm at Millbrook Marshβs Spring Creek Education Building, Ryan Hamilton will be presenting a program titled Land Conservation in Central Pennsylvania.
> Ryan is ClearWater's Land Conservation Manager. He works with local landowners, volunteers, partner agencies, engaged businesses, and stakeholders along with ClearWater staff and board to conserve ecologically important habitats in Central Pennsylvania. Prior to joining ClearWater, Ryan practiced as an environmental, land use, and natural resources attorney in Pittsburgh representing individual property owners, nonprofits, and small businesses across the state. He earned a JD with a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law at Lewis and Clark Law School and he graduated with a BA in Philosophy and English from Juniata College.
> We will also have a zoom option available for folks who can't attend in person. As always, a quick and free registration is required to attend via Zoom. The link to register is https://psu.zoom.us/meeting/register/_qTRIH0nTSymBnO2vaWxVg > Look forward to seeing you there. Happy Birding!
>
> Brady
Date: 1/21/25 6:28 am From: KATHLEEN BECHDEL <0000d165c6a818d5-dmarc-request...> Subject: Winter Bird Walks at Arboretum
For those of you who love cold weather, there are three Bird Walks at the Arboretum. Joe Gyekis will lead three walks over the next few months as we anticipate the beginning of spring birding season. Meet at 8 am at the pavilion. Dates are listed below.
Thursday, January 30 Thursday, February 27 Thursday, March 27
Date: 1/20/25 12:35 pm From: Robert Snyder <birdphotoginpa...> Subject: Probable Dark-eyed Junco/Cassiar Junco hybrid female seen in Howard
Hello All,
I had put this on FB (Centre County Birding and the ABA's bird ID site) looking for suggestions as to what it is. So far, it seems that it could be a Dark-eyed Junco/Cassiar Junco hybrid, female, with some leucism (white on the throat).
Anybody care to weigh in? It was photographed outside my dining room windows on Jan 15. I briefly saw a similar bird on the 16, but it has not been seen since. We have had 40-60 DEJUs coming in twice a day for white millet etc for at least one week.
Bob Snyder Howard Boro
[image: DEJU Cassiar female I P1150073-Enhanced-NR-2 copy.jpg] [image: DEJU hybrid I P1150018-Enhanced-NR copy 2.jpg] [image: DEJU hybrid II P1150126-Enhanced-NR copy.jpg]
-- Do the best you can, where you are, with what you have. Theodore Roosevelt