Great Backyard Bird Count Workshop at Presque Isle
Saturday, February 16
Would you like help identifying the birds you see at your feeder during the winter? Would you also like to learn more about participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count? Then join us Saturday morning, February 16, 10:00 - 11:30, at the Stull Interpretive Center at Presque Isle State Park. The event is free and sponsored by the Presque Isle Audubon chapter. No registration is required.
- Study slides of winter feeder birds, and get identification tips.
- Watch birds coming to the center's feeders, while we work together to identify and tally the birds.
- See how to input our data to the GBBC web site, and learn how to do your own backyard bird count from your home or neighborhood.
- Sip hot cocoa or organic shade-grown coffee (provided by Whole Foods Co-Op).
- Get information to help you have a "bird-friendly family."
- Additional activities for children
Wild Birds Unlimited has again donated some great door prizes for the event.
This is a great activity for both young and old alike, novice and accomplished birders. Call Pat Howell at 814-474-3044 if you have questions.
Annual Erie Bluffs Hawk Watch
Saturday, April 12
HAWK WATCH is a FREE family event sponsored by Presque Isle Audubon and DCNR at our newest park, Erie Bluffs, in Girard Township. Come to watch the raptors migrating north over Erie Bluffs State Park, get up close to live birds of prey from Tamarack Wildlife Rehab Center, take a walk along the bluff and old forest trails or participate in children's games and activities. Meet at the Route 5 access of Erie Bluffs State Park. Kickoff is at 9 a.m. but come anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and your own binoculars and spotting scope if you have them.
Experts with binoculars and spotting scopes will be on hand to ID hawks and other migrating birds. Raptors we will be looking for include Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and American Kestrel. We will also enjoy looking for other birds such as bluebirds, phoebes, red winged blackbirds, flickers, goldfinches, swallows, kingfishers, sparrows, waterfowl, and more.
Directions from Erie/Millcreek: Drive out West Lake Road/Route 5. Erie Bluffs State Park entrance is approximately 2.5 miles west of Lake City on Route 5 and a 100 hundred yards west of Elk Creek Access, turn right onto the farm field road look for HAWK WATCH signs.
No restrooms, port-a-potty only. For more information call 814-835-8069, Ext. 102 or email ssmith@lea.earthforce.org.
Field Classes in Bird Identification during Spring Migration
April and May 2008
Instructor: Jerry McWilliams
There will be nine classes held each Saturday from April 5 to May 31 from 7:30 am to 11:30 am.
Sign-up cost for all nine classes is $210.00 or sign-up cost for each class attended is $30.00 per person. By signing up for all classes you pay only $23.33 a class for four hours a day in the field. There is no charge for the evening sessions.
Please note that participation in the class field trips will be limited to only those people registered for the class, so that everyone in the class gets my full attention. Payment should be paid in advance by sending a check to Jerry McWilliams, 3508 Allegheny Rd., Erie, PA 16508-2129. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Meeting place for all classes will be at the second parking lot on the right after you enter the park.
Contact Jerry McWilliams at 814-868-3059 or jerrymcw@aol.com
Festival of the Birds at Presque Isle
May 9, 10 and 11
Enjoy the height of spring migration at Presque Isle State Park, a natural concentration point along the Atlantic flyway where 320 species of birds have been recorded. Take part in workshops and field trips geared for the beginner and the seasoned naturalist led by experts in the field such as Ted Floyd, Jerry McWilliams and Jen Brumfield.
Attend the premiere of a film highlighting the birds, habitat and hot spots of Presque Isle in all seasons. Experience the rich variety of Presque Isle’s six distinct ecological zones including beaches, cattail islands, shrublands, aquatic habitats, and deciduous and pine tree forests.
Click here for a complete schedule of events.
Click here for a registration form.
Click here for Festival of the Birds brochure.
For more information send email to jrplkm@aol.com or phone 814-860-4091.
Titus Bog, Erie County
Saturday, May 17
1:00 pm
This trip is sponsored by the Botanical Society of Western PA, co-owners of Titus Bog with the Presque Isle Audubon Society.
Trip leaders: Joe and Bonnie Isaac; isaacb@CarnegieMuseums.org; 724-964-8770.
You will be wading through the bog's moat for a short period, perhaps in water up to 2 foot deep, using shrubs and roots for balance. Old tennis shoes or waders are recommended. Plan on getting wet and climbing over tree trunks. Joe and Bonnie hope to visit the bog several times this year to complete a survey of the plants growing there.
We will meet at 1:00 pm at the drive-in theater at the intersection of PA 89 and PA 6 east of Union City.
Allegany Nature Pilgrimage
May 30, 31, June 1
It is time to start planning for the 50th Annual Allegany Nature Pilgrimage weekend at Allegany State Park near Salamanca, NY. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the outdoors and discover more about the world we live in. There is something for all ages and interests. Over 90 different field trips, adventures and classes will be held. There will be evening programs, and speakers and a chicken barbecue on Saturday evening.
For more information and to pre-register for the weekend see the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage website at: http://www.allegany-nature-pilgrimage.org or contact Lisa at lsdanko@hotmail.com or 814.898.0284.
Walk-ins are also welcome at Camp Allegany (our headquarters) in the Red House Area. To reserve a cabin or tent site in Allegany State Park call 1-800-456-CAMP (2267) or visit the reservation system on line at http://www.ReserveAmerica.com.
Titus Bog, Erie County
Saturday, May 28
1:00 pm
This trip is sponsored by the Botanical Society of Western PA, co-owners of Titus Bog with the Presque Isle Audubon Society.
Trip leaders: Joe and Bonnie Isaac; isaacb@CarnegieMuseums.org; 724-964-8770.
You will be wading through the bog's moat for a short period, perhaps in water up to 2 foot deep, using shrubs and roots for balance. Old tennis shoes or waders are recommended. Plan on getting wet and climbing over tree trunks. This is the second trip Joe and Bonnie will lead to the bog this spring. They hope to visit the bog several times this year to complete a survey of the plants growing there.
We will meet at 1:00 pm at the drive-in theater at the intersection of PA 89 and PA 6 east of Union City.
Other Field Trips Coming Up
Check back often because new field trips are sometimes posted only a few weeks ahead of time.
