Come help us survey Mt Moriah Cemetery for the Philadelphia Mid Winter Bird Census. We will meet at the gate at 62nd St and Kingsessing Ave. afterwards we will also survey parts of Cobbs Creek Park.

FDR is legendary in Philly birding for the abundant waterfowl that winter on "The Lakes" every winter. We will meet at the boat house and scope the water for ducks, gulls, geese, grebes, and coots, then take a walk looking for other birds like rusty blackbirds and purple finches.

The Andorra Library, in partnership with the Wissahickon Environmental Education Center, will be hosting Birding Philadelphia. Patrons of all ages are welcome to join us in learning the basics of birding in Philadelphia. Tony Croasdale will discuss area birding locations, characteristic birds, and a little of the history of Philadelphia's role in American Ornithology.

This walk will be for both winter botany and birding. The grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs of Houston Meadow attract a variety of birds that feed on the seeds and fruits, especially sparrows. We should also see goldfinches and bluebirds.

Pennypack on the Delaware is a phenomenal place to bird in the winter. The bald eagle nest is active and visible due to the lack of leaves. Great cormorants, common goldeneyes, canvasbacks, and other deep water birds are seen in the river. The fields host a diversity of sparrows, and something unusual is not so unusual to find at this 'hotspot' We will meet at the gazebo next to the river.

Saturday - February 11, 2017 - meeting time 10:00AM

Location - the Shark River Inlet - the south end. Ocean and 1st Ave.

Details - We will hit various areas up here at the North Shore chasing whatever is around and scanning
the ocean and lakes for waterfowl. If any doubt about the weather, please contact me ahead of time to see
if the trip is still going. Any hint of ice or snow cancels. A little rain can be birded through. This area has plenty
of restaurants to buy food and use the restrooms when needed. I am thinking we head north from here to explore.
This area is so vast, that 2 days are needed to cover north and south properly. Although is a rarity is south of
us around Manasquan Inlet - we will chase.
Leader: Sandra Keller
sandrakeller@verizon.net

The Andorra Library, in partnership with the Wissahickon Environmental Education Center, will be hosting Birding Philadelphia. Patrons of all ages are welcome to join us in learning the basics of birding in Philadelphia. George Armistead, author of 'Birds of Pennsylvania', and 'Better Birding' will give a talk on birding basics.

Saturday - February 25, 2017 - meeting time 10:00AM

Location - the Shark River Inlet - the south end. Ocean and 1st Ave.

Details - We will head south from here to explore other areas of the North Shore than 2 weeks ago.
Same info and weather concerns apply.
Leader: Sandra Keller
sandrakeller@verizon.net

March 4 (Saturday) Short-eared Owls

As the sun goes down, the owls come out. Burlington County Fairgrounds AKA Mercer Sod Farm is a great location for Short-eared Owls. This location can also be good for horned lark, woodcock, bald eagle and harriers. We will bird the fairgrounds for a short time near the parking lot, but most of the time will be spent scanning the fields for owls and other fowl​​. The fairgrounds close at dusk, so we must leave after it gets dark. Since there are a pair of nesting Bald Eagles in the field, we are confined to the area around the parking lot. Dress warm and bring a scope if you have one. Please contact trip leader with any questions​.

​Meeting Time: Any time after 5:30 pm
​Meeting location:
1988 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd
Mount Holly, NJ 08022
​Trip Leader​s​: Patty Rehn​ & Steve Mattan​

Bluebird Hike
Saturday, March 11 11:00 am
We will take a walk through the woods and meadow to observe cavity nesting birds like Carolina chickadees and Eastern bluebirds. Bring a lunch if you plan on staying for the bird box workshop.

Bird Box Building Workshop
Saturday, March 11 1:00 pm
Assemble a bird house for bluebirds, chickadees and house wrens. Whether you have a yard big enough for bluebirds or a row house; you can have native birds nest on your property. Bird house kits will be available to assemble with provided tools and hardware. Registration required by 4/7. $15. per kit. Limited to 15 participants.

Woodcocking at White's Bog

March 11 @ 5:30pm-7pm
Historic White's Bog Village
120 W Whites Bogs Rd # 34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015

In March Woodcocks do their mating flight display. Come to Historic White's Bog to witness this event. This is a joint event with DVOC and White's Bog. Please contact trip leaders with questions.

Trip Leaders: Patty Rehn & Steve Mattan

Walk the jetty and beach to view wintering waterfowl including Harlequin Ducks and Common Eiders. We will also look for Loons and Alcids near shore. Barnegat is a winter tradition for DVOCers. Dress warm. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one and a camera if you want to photograph the scene or the birds. Meet in the State Park parking lot at 8:30 AM
Trip Leader - Linda Widdop

The Andorra Library, in partnership with the Wissahickon Environmental Education Center, will be hosting Birding Philadelphia. Patrons of all ages are welcome to join us in learning the basics of birding in Philadelphia. Tony Croasdale will discuss how to identify birds by song and call.

BirdPhilly/DVOC is participating in Audubon PA's event to showcase the site of their new center with Outward Bound. Bird walks every hour starting at 10am (bins and guides provided), food, music, climbing wall, resources. No registration required. In case of bad weather, we’ll spread the word about cancellation via social media.

This is our first trip to this relatively new park on the Delaware River in Northeast Philadelphia. It has great views of the river and the fields have turned up some interesting birds.

We will walk along the Manyunk Tow Path to see early migrants and what birds are on the river. We will hopefully see the peregrine falcons that nest on St John the Baptist Church across the street.

April ​30 (S​un​day) Hawkin Road for Warblers
Come to the Pinelands for the warblers. ​We have good chances to get Blue-winged, Prairie, Hooded and Prothonotary warblers since they nest in the area. ​We will go to 2 locations on Hawkin Road. ​Since parking is limited, we may need to carpool. Contact trip leader if you plan to attend​, so we can sort out the parking and if you have any questions​.
Meeting time​:​ 7am
Meeting Location: Hawkin Road Pipeline trail
Trip Leader​s​: Patty Rehn ​​& Steve Mattan​
pattyrehn5@gmail.com

Meet at Wawa Market, East Main St & Wade Blvd, MILLVILLE NJ 08332 MAP LINK
Everyone scouts Belleplain State Forest in the week before the World Series of Birding. Peaslee is probably less well known, but has similar habitats. Spring 2016 found Prothonotary Warbler, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, & Red-headed Woodpecker. In fact, the place almost looks managed for Red-headed Woodpeckers. Leader: Jack Mahon
This will be in conjunction with the Salem County Nature Club and is free to members and non-members.

May 8 Birdwalk in Fisher Park, Olney

7:00am - 8:30am
571 W Spencer St, Philadelphia, PA 19120

Join us for a 7:00 AM birdwalk in Fisher Park. May is spring migration time and this 25 acre park in Olney will be full of beautiful, brightly-colored birds just arriving from their winter homes in South America. Last year this morning walk turned up many species of warblers, scarlet tanagers and many more great birds. Meet at the driveway up to the Rec Center on Spencer St. Binoculars will be available to borrow. RSVP'S requested; walk-ins welcome! For a full list of the birds seen last year visit: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S29704602

RSVP at doryan@ttfwatershed.org or call 215-744-1853

Rittenhouse Square can be a fantastic place to see warblers, vireos, grosbeaks, thrushes and other songbirds, and this walk is scheduled for peak migration! We will also walk to City Hall after to see the nesting peregrine falcons.

7am.John Heinz wildlife refuge Tinicum. Meet at the parking lot close to the Dyke Road Gate. Near the canoe launch and new bathroom, This is at the peak of warbler migration!

May 20 Birdwalk in Tacony Creek Park, Olney

8:00am - 10:30am
799 E Olney Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19120

Join the Tacony Creek Park Keepers and TTF Watershed for a free bird walk with bird expert, Keith Russell from Audubon PA. It's Spring migration time, so expect some good bird spotting - warblers, woodpeckers, hawks, and more! Donuts, coffee and binoculars provided. RSVP'S requested; walk-ins welcome!

RSVP at doryan@ttfwatershed.org or call 215-744-1853

The Tannersville Cranberry Bog, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, partnered with programming by Kettle Creek EEC, is recognized as the southernmost low altitude boreal bog along the eastern seaboard and is designated as a National Natural Landmark. Tannersville Cranberry Bog was once a 715 acre kettle lake formed thousands of years ago by glacial depressions, eventually becoming filled in by layers of sphagnum moss to 60 feet deep, creating an acidic fen providing a unique habitat for many species of plants and animals usually found in northern boreal bogs.
This trip will focus on boreal breeding species including Canada Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, and Purple Finch. Uncommon to rare acid-loving plants occur in this plant community, including May-blooming rarities Kalmia polifolia (bog laurel) and Andromeda polifolia (bog rosemary). If the weather is warm, we may observe a variety of odes, Spotted Turtle and other herps (Ribbon Snake has been observed on the property in the past).
The property has been designated as a Pennsylvania Important Mammal Area, providing important habitat for otters, beavers, bobcat, and bears. The 150 acre wetland and bog is part of a 775 acre preserve and is surrounded by upland woods that should be productive for breeders and migrating species. The Tannersville Cranberry Bog is publicly accessible only for scheduled public tours or by special permit, and participants for this trip are limited to 15. All students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This is a free trip, donations to Kettle Creek EEC are suggested and appreciated (checks acceptable made out to Kettle Creek EEC)
Contact Cindy Ahern to reserve your place for this trip and for meeting location. songbird5212ATmsn.com or call or text 215-840-4010

We’ll explore this area, looking for nesting Hooded and Worm-eating Warblers, and hopefully see the elusive Kentucky Warbler that has nested there in the past. There’s another place that we can go to find the Kentucky Warbler if we don’t see one there, about 5 minutes away. It can be muddy, so wear rain boots. We’ll meet in the parking area at 200 Carpenters Ave. Glassboro NJ at 7:30am. Trip leader- [dvoc-memeber name="Annie Reeves"] (609-440-0513)

White Clay Creek State Park (WCCSP), Newark, DE
Trip Leader: Matthew Halley

May 28, 2017 — 7:00 AM
DVOC is excited to offer for the first time, a field trip to observe color-banded Veeries (Catharus fuscescens) at the long-term study site of Dr. Christopher Heckscher, professor at Delaware State University (DSU). Halley is the Editor of DVOC, and a Ph.D. student and ornithologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. He completed his MS degree under Heckscher at DSU from 2011–14.
Several surprising discoveries have been made at the WCCSP site in recent years, including the first documentation that Veeries are not socially monogamous, but rather practice a rare cooperative mating system called flexible polygynandry (Halley et al. 2016). The discovery that the species has a third component to its annual migratory cycle — an intratropical migration (i.e., within South America) that was previously unknown — was made via analysis of data from light-level geolocator tracking devices deployed and retrieved by Heckscher, Halley, and their research assistants at WCCSP (Heckscher et al. 2015). DVOC members will have the unique opportunity to tour the study site with Halley (and maybe Heckscher, depending on scheduling), to learn about past and ongoing scientific research at the site, and to observe first-hand some of the color-banded individuals that have taught us so much about their species.

References
Halley, M. R., Heckscher, C. M., and V. Kalavacharla. 2016. Multi-generational kinship, multiple mating, and flexible modes of parental care in a breeding population of the Veery (Catharus fuscescens), a trans-hemispheric migratory songbird. PLoS ONE 11(6): e0157051. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157051
Heckscher, C. M., Halley, M. R., and P. Stampul. 2015. Intratropical migration of the Veery (Catharus fuscescens) in South America with implications for migration theory. Journal of Tropical Ecology 31:285–289.

This is a trip to watch the peregrine falcon nest on St John the Baptist in Manyunk. We will watch from the patio of Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center. The young should be recently fledged and very active around the church steeple and nearby power cable towers.

Let’s explore the newly developed trail along Pennypack creek in Montgomery County. The trail starts in Rockledge and goes upstream to Byberry Rd. The trail is basically flat made of finely crushed gravel. We will meet at 8:30 AM in the parking lot at Lorimer park on Moredon Rd and take a slow ride out to Byberry Rd and back stopping for birds along the way. Acadian Flycatchers, warblers, Tanagers and other birds should be easy to hear as we cruise along. We will finish up back at the Lorimer parking lot before noon.

Bring your own bike and helmet, bottled water and binoculars.

Meet at Lorimer Park parking lot on Moredon Rd
Trip Leader - Linda Widdop

Meet at 7 am at the Chapel of the Air parking lot in Lakehurst. This trip is to see nesting upland sandpipers and other grassland specialties.
Please contact: dblong2007@gmail.com to register
You need to adhere to specific instructions to access this site.

This five-day, four-night field trip arranged by Cindy Ahern, will target Maine specialties in the Baxter State Park and Downeast regions of the state.

The first few days will be spent in the Baxter State Park area targeting boreal species including Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Black-backed and American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Philadelphia Vireo, Purple Finch; warblers including Blackpoll, Bay-breasted and Mourning; northern flycatchers including Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, Least, and Alder; and Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows. Moose are also expected. Lodging at the Big Moose Inn just outside of Baxter State Park.

Next, we head to Downeast Maine, with a home base at the Schoodic Education and Research Center, located on the Schoodic Peninsula of Acadia National Park. This part of the trip will include a chartered pelagic around Petit Manan in the Gulf of Maine for Atlantic Puffins and other seabirds. Likely species include Razorbill, Common Murre, Great and Sooty Shearwaters, Arctic and Common Terns, and possibly Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Great Cormorant and Roseate Terns. Whales are common, with possibilities of Minke, Humpback and occasionally Fin, along with Atlantic White-sided Dolphin, Gray and Harbor Seals, and Harbor Porpoise.

Cost is all inclusive beginning from the start date meeting location to departure, and includes meals, lodging, transportation (passenger van from the meeting location), snacks and water. Alcoholic beverages not included. You must arrange your own transportation to the meeting location in Bangor, Maine.

Trip fee is $1120 per person, with a 50% deposit due by March 15, and final payment due May 10.

Register early, this trip is limited to10 participants.

Trip leaders: Bob Duchesne (Founder of the Maine Birding Trail) and Seth Benz (Director - Schoodic Bird Ecology Lab)

Additional information forthcoming.

This annual trip will be to memorialize the life of beloved former DVOC president Steve Kacir. Steve ran a trip to this spot in the NJ Pine Barrens to see the flight displays of common nighthawks for many years. We will meet at the Carranza Memorial parking lot for a picnic dinner. We will bird the nearby bog and forest before heading to the field at sunset to see the nighthawks perform their booming overhead flights. We should also hear whip-poor-wills, pine barrens tree frogs, carpenter frogs, and see many Eastern towhees and pine warblers.

Please enjoy a past trip report written by Steve, it really captures his essence:
https://www.dvoc.org/FieldTrips/FieldTrips2010/FTReports2010/Nightjars2010.htm

To the Carranza Memorial:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Carranza+Memorial/@39.7802133,-74.636426,15z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x0:0xaae9ea32e9444dfc!2sCarranza+Memorial!8m2!3d39.7773643!4d-74.6323601!3m4!1s0x0:0xaae9ea32e9444dfc!8m2!3d39.7773643!4d-74.6323601

June 20 (Tuesday) LAKEHURST NAVAL AIR STATION FOR UPLAND SANDPIPERS, NJ

Important: Participants MUST sign up by Wednesday, May 31. Please provide Bob Horton with your full name, drivers license number and state, and date of birth. To grant access to the base, the military needs this information two full weeks before the trip. The grasslands here are the best annual site in NJ for seeing the breeding displays of Upland Sandpipers. We also expect Grasshopper and Field Sparrows, Horned Lark, Eastern Meadowlark and in the pine forests Pine Warbler. Each participant must be a US CITIZEN and will need a valid driver's license or picture ID. Our stay in the Jump Zone grasslands will be 3 hours.
You must register with Bob Horton for this trip in advance.
Email Bob at: horton633@verizon.net. This trip is limited to 20 people.

This DVOC trip is free to members and non-members
Meeting time: 7AM at the Chapel of the Air parking lot in Lakehurst
Directions: Take Rte 70 to the center of Lakehurst. At the McDonalds and gas station, turn onto Rte 547. In about a mile, on the left there is a gray chapel named the Chapel of the Air. We will car pool from this parking area under the supervision of John Joyce, the base Conservation Officer. Each car entering the base will need a registration card and proof of insurance.

Palmyra Cove Nature Park, for butterflies. Saturday, July 22, with a rain date on Sunday, July 23. Meet in the parking lot under the Tacony-Palmyra bridge at 9:00 AM. Bring binoculars and cameras. Leader: Frank Windfelder

The Tannersville Cranberry Bog, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, partnered with programming by Kettle Creek EEC, is recognized as the southernmost low altitude boreal bog along the eastern seaboard, and is designated as a National Natural Landmark. Tannersville Cranberry Bog was once a kettle lake formed thousands of years ago by glacial depressions, eventually filled in by sphagnum moss, creating an acidic fen providing a unique habitat for plants and animals usually found in boreal bogs.

This trip will focus on post-breeding boreal birds, uncommon and rare plants, herps, odes, and whatever else we find!

The property has been designated as a Pennsylvania Important Mammal Area, providing important habitat for otters, beavers, bobcat, and bears. The 150 acre wetland and bog is part of a 775 acre preserve with trails through forested upland, shrub thickets, and a floating boardwalk providing access to the bog.

The Tannersville Cranberry Bog is open to the public only for scheduled tours or by special permit. Space is limited – you must reserve your spot for this trip. All students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no fee for this trip (for members and non-members), but your donation to Kettle Creek EEC is suggested and appreciated (checks acceptable made out to Kettle Creek EEC).

Trip Leader: Cindy Ahern

Contact Cindy Ahern to reserve your place for this trip and for meeting location. songbird5212ATmsn.com or call or text 215-840-4010.

This is the prime time of the year to see shorebirds migrating through Philly. With water levels low at this time of year, John Heinz is an ideal place for shorebirds to stop and feed along the water's edges. We’ll see Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Least, Spotted and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and hopefully much more. Maybe some of the more rare sandpipers, like the White-rumped or Western. We’ll meet under the pavilion at the parking area at 8am.

This BirdPhilly event is free to members and non-members. BirdPhilly is an initiative of the DVOC.

Trip leader- Annie Reeves (609-440-0513)

**** NEW DATE **** A few folks asked if we could move the trip to Sunday to avoid mega shore traffic on Monday. Makes sense!

We will start at Higbee Beach for early migrants. We often find the best birds early in the season before the crowds arrive including Golden-wing, Cerulean, Worm-eating and other warblers,. Bring your dog for a good romp too. Meet at Higbee parking area 7 AM. Continue up the bayshore in search of returning shorebirds. We will station ourselves along the beach at Villas with scopes to scan for banded Sanderling and Semi-palmated Sandpipers at high tide.

Bring bugspray, binoculars and scope if you have one.

Feel free to jump in and out during the day. This trip is dog friendly too. Bring your well behaved pooch. I will provide my cell phone number for communication and location.

This DVOC trip is free to members and non-members. Bring a friend!

Meet at Higbee Beach parking lot at 7 AM
Trip Leader - Linda Widdop

On Saturday 9/16 there will be two bird walks in two beautiful sections of Cobbs Creek Park. 7:00am at Haddington Woods and 10:30 at Morris Park. Come to either or both!

RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/Philadelphia-Nature-Meetup/events/241278518/
More Information: Email Tony at tony.croasdale@phila.gov

On Saturday 9/16 there will be two bird walks in two beautiful sections of Cobbs Creek Park. 7:00am at Haddington Woods and 10:30 at Morris Park. Come to either or both!

RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/Philadelphia-Nature-Meetup/events/241278518/
More Information: Email Tony at tony.croasdale@phila.gov

Harper’s and Andorra Meadow
Sunday September 17th Meet at the Tree House 8:00-11:00am
This walk will visit Harper's Meadow, known for migrating warblers and Andorra Meadow for bluebirds, sparrows and other open country birds.
Leader: Martin Selzer

Tacony Creek Park Birdwalk, September 23, 8am-10:30am

I & Ramona Gateway of Tacony Creek Park, 4528 I St, Philadelphia, PA 19124, USA

Hosted by the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership. Join us for a free walk led by expert birder Martin Selzer of Wyncote Audubon. Expect some good bird spotting during the fall migration, in addition to our great year-round birds. Donuts, coffee, and binoculars will be provided. RSVPs appreciated, but walk-ins are always welcome! RSVP to robin@ttfwatershed.org or 215-744-1853.

DVOC/BirdPhilly are hosting bird walks for the American Birding Expo at Andorra Meadow, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge,John James Audubon Center Mill Grove, Valley Forge National Historic Park, and Fort Washington State Park's Militia Hill Hawk Watch
for more info and to register for the expo:
https://www.americanbirdingexpo.com/bird-walks/

DVOC/BirdPhilly are hosting bird walks for the American Birding Expo at Andorra Meadow, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge,John James Audubon Center Mill Grove, Valley Forge National Historic Park, and Fort Washington State Park's Militia Hill Hawk Watch
for more info and to register for the expo:
https://www.americanbirdingexpo.com/bird-walks/

DVOC/BirdPhilly are hosting bird walks for the American Birding Expo at Andorra Meadow, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge,John James Audubon Center Mill Grove, Valley Forge National Historic Park, and Fort Washington State Park's Militia Hill Hawk Watch
for more info and to register for the expo:
https://www.americanbirdingexpo.com/bird-walks/

Bring your bike and binoculars. We will ride the newly opened trail looking for fall migrants along the way. Start at Moredon Rd parking lot at 8 AM. We will ride along Pennypack creek out to Pennypack Trust. This ride is mostly flat and we will be riding slowly listening and watching for birds. We will stop if we see anything interesting.

Nearby lunch spots include Iron Hill Brewery, Austrian Village and more.

Trip Leader - Linda Widdop

Houston Meadow Bird Walk
Saturday, October 21 | 8:00 – 10:30 am
We will look for bluebirds, sparrows, and raptors migrating overhead.

Cindy Ahern is leading a trip to the Tannersville Cranberry Bog again, this time for fall color. While the focus will be on the spectacular foliage of the bog, there are always birds, including winter arrivals. If the weather is warm enough, we may be lucky to find some herps, although no promises in that department. Since many DVOC members have an interest in botany, I am extending this invitation to interested members.

The Tannersville Cranberry Bog, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, partnered with programming by Kettle Creek EEC, is recognized as the southernmost low altitude boreal bog along the eastern seaboard and is designated as a National Natural Landmark. Tannersville Cranberry Bog was once a 715 acre kettle lake formed thousands of years ago by glacial depressions, eventually becoming filled in by layers of sphagnum moss to 60 feet deep, creating an acidic fen providing a unique habitat for many species of plants and animals usually found in northern boreal bogs.

The Tannersville Cranberry Bog is located in Monroe County, PA, near the Delaware Water Gap. Many species of plants and animals normally found in northern boreal bogs (like a little piece of Canada in PA!) occur here, including a number of endangered species. This trip is timed for the peak of Larix laricina (Tamarack, or American Larch) fall color, along with the brilliant reds of the heaths. The Tannersville Cranberry Bog is publicly accessible only for scheduled public tours or by special permit, and space is limited.

This is a free trip, but your donation to the Kettle Creek EEC is encouraged and appreciated (checks acceptable made out to Kettle Creek EEC).

Dress in layers, the bog is usually 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding woodland. Wear sturdy shoes for a short, uneven hike to the bog along a woodland trail to a boardwalk path leading through the wetland habitat.

RSVP is required for this trip. Please contact Cindy Ahern at songbird5212 AT msn.com or call or text 215-840-4010 to confirm your participation and for additional details about this trip, including meeting location and possible carpool.

Harper’s and Andorra Meadow
Saturday November 4th Meet at the Tree House 8:00-11:00am
A diversity of habitats for a diversity of late fall migrants!

Cindy Ahern has arranged a visit to attend a Northern Saw-whet Owl banding program at Scott Weidensaul’s Hidden Valley Banding station in Schuylkill Haven, PA, during saw-whet owl migration.

The banding station is located in the general area of Hawk Mountain (it is a little further west), and is approximately a 2 hour drive from the Philadelphia area.

Visitors should arrive between 6-6:30 PM for orientation - nets are checked every hour on the hour until midnight. When owls are caught in the mist nets, they are brought inside to demonstrate the banding process, which includes a general examination to determine age, weight, fat reserves, sex, eye color, and wing and bill length, banding the owl with a federal band, then releasing the owl. You may leave at any time - no need to stay until midnight if owls are caught during an earlier net check.

FYI – this year is expected to be a very poor Northern Saw-whet Owl flight – a low point in the cycle following a strong flight last year. The new moon phase for this date is favorable, although a few weeks past the normal peak. This does not mean we will not see any owls, but there are no guarantees. The banding will be cancelled in the event of foul weather.

Registrations are required, and space is limited. Young bird enthusiasts receive priority registration, based on a first- come, first-served basis.
There is NO FEE to attend the banding demonstration, but please consider making a donation to "adopt" an owl in support of Northern Saw-whet Owl research: http://www.nedsmithcenter.org/adopt-an-owl-and-help-nscna-research/

This trip has been rescheduled from Saturday due to the rainy forecast. Hopefully this will make for fantastic migration on Sunday. We hope to see golden eagles and goshawks!

This time of year hundreds of Eagles gather below the dam to fish and interact. Also an excellent spot for photography. Meet near the concession stand near the dam. We will also visit some other birding spots south along the river.

Meet 9AM at the Conowingo Dam for prime Eagle viewing.

Leader Cliff Hence cwhenceiii (at )aol.com

This DVOC trip is free to members and non-members alike.

This time of year hundreds of Eagles gather below the dam to fish and interact. Also an excellent spot for photography. Meet near the concession stand near the dam. We will also visit some other birding spots south along the river.

Meet 9AM at the Conowingo Dam for prime Eagle viewing.

Leader Cliff Hence cwhenceiii (at )aol.com

This DVOC trip is free to members and non-members alike.

Meet Martin Selzer at 8:30 a.m. at the Wissahickon Environmental Center’s Tree House at 8:30am. The morning will begin by enjoying the activity at the Tree House’s feeders before exploring Andorra Meadow and Forbidden Drive as the conditions per permit.