Lancaster County Bird Club
	Lancaster, Pennsylvania Founded December 8, 1937 to secure the cultivation of public sentiment in the preservation of our native bird life.

"CALL NOTES"
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2004

Saturday, August 28, 2004 - A field trip led by Bruce Carl (Akron 859-4179 or e-mail carls@dejazzd. com) to the Furnace Hills area along Pumping Station Road and Speedwell County Park. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the intersection of Route 322 and Pumping Station Road, west of Brickerville. Early migrants will be the target birds.

Friday, September 3,2004 - Our first meeting of the 2004-05 season! NOTE: THIS IS THE FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. The meeting will be held at the Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, beginning at 7 :30 p.m. Bob Mulvihill, the coordinator of the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas Project, will present a program entitled "Bird Studies at Powdermill Nature preserve--Past, Present, and Future." From its renowned long-term banding program begun in 1961, Powdermill Nature Preserve in western Pennsylvania has served as the headquarters for many avian studies of local, regional, and even global significance over the last 43 years. Bob has served as a field ornithologist there for the past 21 years. He will show slides and speak about Powdermill's bird studies and give us details (and answer your questions) about the new Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas Project.

Saturday, September 4, 2004 - Steve Rannels (Hershey 534-2480 or e-mail srannels@psu.edu) will lead this trip hiking along the trails at the old Cornwall Fire Tower. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Cornwall Fire Tower. Early fall migrants will be the main objective.

Saturday, September 18,2004 - A morning trip for fall warblers along Pumping Station Road and then on to Second Mountain Hawk Watch, coinciding with the height of the Broad-winged Hawk migration. Leaders are Thom Kurtz and Nancy Clupper (Lancaster 299-9406). Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the intersection of Route 322 and Pumping Station Road, west of Brickerville.

Sunday, September 26, 2004 - Birding along the Canal Trail adj acent to the Susquehanna River from Bainbridge to Falmouth in the northwest corner of Lancaster County. Leader: Larry Coble (Elizabethtown 367-5083). Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Falmouth Fish Commission Access Area off Route 441.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since there are several things scheduled for early October, I have included the following in this issue.

Sunday, October 3, 2004 - Memorial Lake and Second Mountain Hawk Watch. The morning will be spent birding in the state park followed by a trip to the hawk lookout for raptor migration. Leader: Rosemary Spreha (Harrisburg 657-0271). Meet at 7:00 a.m. along Route 934, just north of 1-81, near the Indiantown Gap Military Cemetery.

Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - Hawk Watching Trip. A hawk-watch trip led by Jay George (Manheim 665-5632). Destination unknown: Primary spot is Bake Oven Knob, but could change to Hawk Mountain (daily fee charged) or Waggoner's Gap, depending on wind conditions. Meet at 7:15 a.m. at 170 North Penn Street, in the northwest corner of Manheim. Take Route 72 north through Manheim, turn left onto Colbrook Street (about four blocks north of the square), go to Penn Street and turn left (south) to 170 North Penn Street.

Friday, October 6, 2004 - Club meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. Tonight's program features Lancaster County Park Naturalist Clyde McMillan-Gamber. His program is entitled "A Year of Nature at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area." Don't miss this one! Clyde always has great pictures and gives an interesting and educational program.

Many thanks to those Club members who are volunteering in the Breeding Bird Atlas Project. With the atlasing going on, I'm seeing some interesting reports on the Internet. It's not too late to get involved. There are still some blocks that need to be covered. Even if the first year is missed in a block, any data collected during the five years of this project will be valuable. If you are interested, please contact me and I will give you the information to contact the different area coordinators.

On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, a number of members of the LCBC were in attendance at the Lancaster County Commissioner's weekly meeting. The Commissioners took courageous action by beginning eminent domain proceedings to obtain ownership of the land owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad in the southern part of the county for the purpose of establishing a 23-mile trail. The intention is to have this become a recreation area as part of the Lancaster County Park System. During time for public comments, many people, including me as LCBC president, spoke in favor of this project and expressed thanks to the Commissioners for their action to preserve this historical rail line.

I have been in contact with Ralph Goodno, the executive director of the Lancaster Conservancy. The Conservancy is very much interested in pursuing a more aggressive approach towards land conservation than it has done in the past. They are actively seeking input from related organizations interested in preserving natural areas and habitats critical to birds and other wildlife. At some time in the future, the Club may have the opportunity to suggest areas worthy of being preserved. Start thinking about this and if you have any suggestions, please forward them to me.

Finally, as the officers and directors planned for the coming season, the decision was made to donate funds to show the Club's support for conservation and educational projects. The following contributions were approved for 2004-05:

In "Still Trashing the Dillerville Swamp," Ad Crable in May 4, 2004' s Lancaster New Era, covered the continuing efforts of some to preserve and enhance this Lancaster County treasure. Fresh water is critical to the viability of wetlands and Leon Schreffler was cited as being the "spark" to getting fresh water back to this wetland. But even with the fresh water, other problems, like trash, continue. Pressure on the owners is key to improvement and Leon's been there, all along, for many years. We owe you Leon. Thank you!

Ten years ago, our county's first elementary envirothon was held at the Pequea Elementary School, largely due to the efforts of Jim & Lee Amigh. This past May, the tenth annual Elementary Envirothon was held at Lancaster County Central Park and was covered by John McGonigle in his "Outdoors" column in the Lancaster Sunday News on May 16, 2004. Seventy teams from 25 schools, comprising of 360 elementary students, competed. The focus this year was on habitat of fields, meadows, and hedgerows. The students, their teachers and coaches, volunteers, and sponsors successfully completed another year with planning for the next one starting with this year's evaluation. Best wishes Jim & Lee and all the others as you plan for next year, and THANKS for all you've accomplished in the name of education, conservation, and nature.

In May 18, 2004's Intelligencer Journal, two articles by Rebecca Ritzel featured the return of Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Peregrine Falcons to Pennsylvania. One was about the pair of Ospreys nesting on a weather tower at Three Mile Island. The other was about the birds' presence at local power plants along the Susquehanna River. In the second article, Jim Smith's educational activities were noted. Jim, a naturalist and consultant for the Holtwood power plant, posts weekly journal entries and photographs of two nesting pairs of Bald Eagles at www.pplprojectearth.com. This past spring Jim offered two viewing opportunities of the nesting pairs for the general public. His photo of an Eagle feeding her chicks was included.

Robert Coley and Barbara & Peter Hunsberger have recently returned from a two-week birding trip in Spain, traveling from Madrid west to a few kilometers of the Portuguese border, from Madrid northeast to the French border, and then to the Costa Brava near Barcelona. Bob identified 204 species, 160 of which were lifers. Some of the outstanding birds seen were the Wallcreeper (at close range for at least ten minutes, working the side of a sheer cliff), the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Lammergeier, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eurasian Dotterel, Eurasian Bee-eater, Eurasian Wryneck, Little and Great Bustard, Red-necked Nightjar, Short-toed Snake-Eagle, Thin-Billed Gull, Greater Flamingo, Pin-Tailed Sand Grouse, BlackEared Wheatear, Dartford Warbler, and Dupont's Lark. Much of the time the weather was cold everywhere and sometimes snowy in the High Pyrenees. They visited Extremadura province, the Ebro Valley steppes, the pre-Pyrenees, the High Pyrenees, and the Rio Ebro Delta, giving them a great variety of birds, both resident and migrant.

Just a reminder: Your membership renewal for 2004-2005 is payable now. Enclosed with this mailing is the renewal form for your membership. Since this is the only notice you will be receiving, please complete the form and mail it, along with your check made payable to the Lancaster County Bird Club, to our treasurer, Jonathan Heller, 206 Newcomer Road, Mt. Joy, PA 17552-8402, at your earliest convenience. It would be a help if you include your nine-digit zip code and your e-mail address on the form. Also, a few people have already renewed, or new members have joined, for 2004-2005. This is indicated on their mailing label by a "7/05" and there will not be a renewal form enclosed in their mailing.

The Club had a total of 390 members for 2003-2004, down 28 from last year. This may have been due to the increase in membership fees.

Welcome to our new members! Please join us on field trips which provide a means to get acquainted with other members of the LCBC, as well as becoming familiar with good birding locations in our area.

• New Members:
  
  Grant, Ms. Diane, 426 West Farmersville Road, Leola, PA 17540
  Groeschel, Gene, 426 West Farmersville Road, Leola, PA 17540
  McGovern, Mrs. Doris, 209 Dogwood Road, Media, PA 19063
  Malinak, Art, 251 South Fourth Street, Steelton, PA 17113
  Zerbe, Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. (Margaret L.), 55 Sharon Road, Enola, PA 17025

It is January 12th and it is cold and damp. At 3:10 p.m. there is little wind just north of Manheim; it is quiet, almost still. Cwah! Cwah! Crows call overhead. Calls are frequent, but not continuous. Nothing unusual until I realize just how high these crows are flying. Not quite speck birds, but very high for crows. High in a leaden sky, dark gray and threatening. No spark of sun can be seen and perhaps 200 crows are heading south, perhaps more if I had looked up sooner. Even at 3: 10 it appears to be near dusk. I continue my cutting of branches.

A few minutes later I hear calls again. Gnaah! Gnaah! Again calls from crows in a flock very high overhead. This flock too is heading south along the same path as the first--100, 200, 300, at the end the count is 373 individuals. And, the only "words" called out are "Gnaah."

Of perhaps 50 or 80 calls in the first flock, all were "cwah's"; of perhaps 75 or 100 calls out of the second flock, all were of the "gnaah" variety. The first flock had narry a "gnaah" and likewise from the second, not a "cwah." Apparently, all of the 200 or so crows in the first flock were American Crows and all of the 373 crows in the second flock were Fish Crows.

I've seen (and heard) mixed flocks on numerous occasions. And nearly each year, overhead at mid-level, I see and hear pure flocks of about 200 Fish Crows in early to mid-spring. Why do these birds segregate on many occasions? Do they segregate on the roost too? And why do I see flocks of Fish Crows well after American Crows begin nesting?

Well, that's the beauty of nature--more questions than answers; always more mystery than discovery.

Editor's Note: Please report your sightings to Randy Miller, 607 Woodland Drive, Manheim, PA 17545 (Phone 664-3778). Your sightings can be reported to him by mail, phone, or at Club meetings. Our focus is not just on rare or uncommon birds, but also on more common species in unusual numbers, out-of-season, or exhibiting behavior that would be of interest to our members. Your help is needed in compiling this column!

Bird Oddity: Jan & Pat Witmer have a Catbird that likes big, red seedless grapes! When they put grapes out on their deck, the Catbird dissects the grape before devouring it.

Last year I hung a brand new, spiffy, modern niger feeder out to replace the old, weathered feeder. The new one had aluminum perches and, like the old one, the feeder holes were below the perches. October, November, and December came and went and although Goldfinches were occasionally seen hanging on the new feeder, the seed was going down very slowly. By March, only about one third of a tube of feed had been eaten for the season. I began to suspect the feeder construction. The holes were open far enough, so what was the problem?

By now, I could turn the feeder upside down and the bottom perch would be uncovered. I bought a plain wooden dowel rod of the proper diameter, cut it to proper length, and replaced the bottom aluminum perch with a wooden one. It seemed that the seed was going down a bit faster now. By April, the seed level was below the middle peg and I replaced it with a wooden one too. Yes, the seed was being eaten at a faster rate. By May, the last perch was replaced with a wooden one and the feeder refilled.

Now, refilling the tube feeder is required every 20 days or so. I believe the birds could not get enough purchase on the metal pegs to be able to hang upside down and still turn their heads to the side and pry the niger seed from the narrow holes. The wood is rough enough to allow for this. If you have had trouble attracting Goldfinches in the past, check your feeder perches.

It's thrilling to find wildlife in places where they are not expected to be. Large parking lots around shopping malls, schools, churches and so on are not wildlife habitats. But many are landscaped with islands of mowed grass, mulch, trees, shrubs, flower beds and retention basins. Several kinds of wild plants and animals adapt to this more naturallandscaping. They are examples of life taking advantage of less than ideal conditions to have additional living space. And they provide inspiring entertainment for husbands whose wives are shopping.

In winter, clusters of ring-billed gulls gather on blacktop that must remind them of beaches and mud flats. Ring-bills learn people feed them popcorn, French fries and other goodies. These inland gulls, and crows, starlings and grackles, also raid dumpsters, and eat earthworms and other invertebrates off parking lots during and after rains.

Some species of birds use buildings near big parking lots for roosting and nesting. Rock doves and mourning doves rear young on ledges and support beams, and feed on seeds in nearby fields. Starlings, house sparrows and house finches raise offspring in crevices of structures. Starlings eat practically anything, anywhere, while the sparrows and finches consume weed seeds and crumbs around the buildings. Killdeer plovers nest on some flat, gravel roofs. Their young jump off those roofs to grass below and wander off to eat invertebrates.

Islands of grass, mulch, flowers and woody plants in parking lots harbor wildlife. Dandelions, blue violets, Veronicas and other flowering plants decorate those islands with lovely blooms, and seeds. Mushrooms and birds'-nest fungi flourish in mulch on those islands. Pill bugs, fire flies, millipedes, centipedes, earthworms and other invertebrates live in mulch and grass roots. And killdeer sometimes hatch babies on mulch.

Bradford pear, crab apple, ornamental cherry and other flowering trees are planted on parking lot islands for their lovely blossoms in spring and green foliage in summer. Bees and other insects sip nectar from the flowers. The resulting fruits are consumed by robins, starlings, mockingbirds, cedar waxwings and other berry -eating birds during tall and winter in the middle of parking lots. A variety of insects, including tree crickets and tent caterpillars, eat the leaves of trees and shrubs on these islands. Some of these insects are food for birds. Spiders spin webs to snare bugs.

Mockingbirds, catbirds, song sparrows, cardinals, American robins and American goldfinches nest in shrubs and saplings in parking lot islands. Mockers, catbirds and robins scratch for invertebrates on those islands, while sparrows, cardinals and goldfinches feed on insects and seeds, especially those of dandelions and thistles.

Wood chucks, cottontail rabbits and mallards live and reproduce on the grassy borders of parking lots, and some of their landscaped islands. Chucks live in burrows they dig in soil. Rabbits hide in abandoned chuck holes, and under shrubs where they, and mallards, produce yoUng. Baby rabbits, and mallard eggs and ducklings may fall prey to crows, skunks and opossums that hunt along parking lot edges.

Coniferous trees, including white pines, Norway Spruces, Eastern hemlocks and Douglas Firs, are planted on many parking lot islands because of their evergreen beauty. Bagworms feed and pupate on these evergreens. Mourning doves, crows and maybe an owl roost, even nest, on these conifers. Wintering dark-eyed juncos, finches and other birds feed on evergreen seeds in the trees' decorative cones and snuggle among needled boughs on cold, winter nights. Many parking lots have retention basins to retain storm water. Muskrats and field voles live and feed on their grassy rims, where they are prey for kestrels and cats. Ring-billed gulls, Canada geese, mallards and killdeer gather on them when they are partly filled with water. Gulls and killdeer eat invertebrates, geese graze on grass on the sides, and on islands in the parking lots, and mallards consume algae and other aquatic plants in the water.

Some parking lots today are a credit to the people who designed them in a more natural way. And admiration is due the adaptable plants and animals that feed and live on them. These adaptable life forms add interest and beauty to parking lots, and entertain husbands.

Jay George has submitted the following from an article by Herbert H. Beck. It appeared in Volume 1, Number 2, of the "Upland Plover," June 1932. The "Upland Plover" was a newsletter published by T. G. Apple and W. S. Cramer before the bird club was formally organized. Its purpose was to encourage the study of birds in Lancaster County. The title of the article was "The Upland Plover, a Memory?"

"The rolling hills of Lancaster County, especially those north of the Pequea Creek, are natural breeding and feeding grounds of the Plover. It is doubtful if there is a similar tract in Pennsylvania which is better adapted to his spring and summer needs. There are but few similar ranges of about 350 square miles which can equal it as Plover country within the state. Over an open square mile between Lititz and Rothsvi11e, I saw not less than three hundred Plover on a July day in 1895. Since then my diary of field sports, carefully kept since I was ten years old, records their decrease."

Editor's Note: As space permits, items from previous newsletters will be included in future issues.

The first issue of "The Upland Plover" featured an article by Herbert Beck. The article related how Herbie and another hunter were running foxes from mounts on January 1st along the Little Conestoga "south of Lititz." The hounds found a fox and ran it awhile. Then, their chorus changed tenor and they all headed back to the riders. The cause was a "mad" dog. Within half an hour the pair had borrowed a gun, shot the presumed rabid dog, and dumped it into a limestone sinkhole.

But, this is only the beginning of the story for Herbie Beck. He related the story to a veterinarian who asked that the dog be brought back for examination. On returning to the sinkhole three hours later, he was surprised by two Turkey Vultures who climbed out of the hole and flapped off at his approach. An examination of the dog indicated the "hams" were substantially devoured, indicating the birds had been there for a time.

Herbie's question was this. How did the vultures know the dog was there? No vulture roosts were known to be in the area and no birds were noted on that cold, calm morning. The nearest winter roost known was on the south slope of the South Mountain along Hammer Creek. He says, "I have rarely, if ever, seen vultures ranging in the Little Conestoga valley during the winter, before or after this incident." Also, the dog was invisible from any part of the sky. The sinkhole was six to seven feet deep with a three foot opening and the shaft angled down at a 45-degree angle. Rocks projected out from all sides.

Note: Beck was a well-known birder and outdoorsman, but the ability of these two vultures to appear out of nowhere and find a rather hidden fresh carcass stumped him.

Saturday, April 10, 2004 - Trip led by Bruce Carl to Schuylkill County. A cool, breezy, but mainly sunny day with temperatures by mid-afternoon reaching the mid- to upper 50s greeted eight members from the Club on this trip to Schuylkill County. Areas visited included Landingville Dam, Owl Creek Reservoir, and Swatara State Park. This trip was a bit out of the ordinary compared to others in past years as the birding was unexpectedly slow and quiet for most of the day, but this will happen from time-to-time during migration. The group did however enjoy the outdoors while walking through some of Schuylkill County's very unique and varied habitats. The following are some of the 57 species identified--Common Loon (breeding plumage), Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, 5 or 6 Wilson's Snipe, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 3 Eastern Phoebe, Tree, Rough-winged, & Barn Swallows, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler (singing), and Chipping Sparrow.

Wednesday, April 14. 2004 - Leader Shirley Bubb canceled this trip to Safe Harbor Park and Shenk's Ferry because prior scouting revealed a lack of birds and the wildflowers were about two weeks behind their normal blooming time.

Friday, April 16, 2004 - A nice crowd joined us on this first day that it felt like spring was finally here. It was a busy Club meeting with the election of officers for the new year; the awarding of two scholarships--one to teacher Cindy Cargas, the other to student Angela Foster; a special presentation on Saw-whet Owl research done by student Andrew O'Dell, as well as the program for the evening. Past Club presidents Jane Schreffler and Jay George's presentation, "Whale Tails and Whale Tales--See Baja by Sea," took us with them on a winter trip to see Gray Whales and experience the environment of the desert areas in the southern portion of the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Their picturesque slides showed great desert landscapes, colorful wildflowers and cacti, sea lions, numerous birds, whales (some really close-up), and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - White Clay Creek, Delaware, led by Bruce Carl. A group of 14 LCBC members were led to White Clay Creek State Park where 63 species were seen, including 11 warbler species. Highlights were as follows: Black-throated Blue, Blue-winged, Yellow-throated, Palm, Yellow-breasted Chat, and many Parulas and Yellow-rumped warblers; a Merlin which sat in a tree along the trail for about ten minutes; a pair of Barred Owls --one on the nest, the other in a near-by tree; Orchard Oriole; Eastern Kingbird; Yellow-throated Vireo; Solitary Sandpiper; Wood Thrush; and at least three pairs of Pileated Woodpeckers at possible nest sights; plus a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher building a nest on a low branch over the trail.

Saturday, May 1, 2004 - Ted Parker Natural Area. Leaders Sally & Darryl Lownsbery had a cool and cloudy day for this trip into southern Lancaster County. Fifty-five bird species were identified. Most notable sightings were Eastern Meadowlark, Vesper Sparrow, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Kingbird, Solitary Sandpiper, Great-crested Flycatcher, and a male Wood Duck atop a tall tree.

Saturday, May 1,2004 - North American Migration Count and Warbler Walks:

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - Landis Woods Park - Leaders Leon & Jane Schreffer. On this partly sunny, humid day with temperature about 85� and an occasional light breeze blowing, 23 participants observed 33 species. Three of the participants were student members whose enthusiasm for birding was most welcome. The only warbler was a Yellow-throat (spotted by only a few) but we had a pleasant walk through the woods while being serenaded by several Wood Thrushes. Some colorful birds were Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager (observed by several), Great-crested Flycatcher, Hummingbird, Towhee, and a flyover by a small flock of Cedar Waxwings.

Friday, May 14, 2004 - Picnic Meeting at Middle Creek WMA. With temperatures in the 80s, a light breeze, and sunny sky, Jan Witmer led a 4:00 p.m. bird hike on the trails behind the Museum. Following a "bring-your-own" picnic and a brief business meeting, J an again led birding, this time along the driving tour, which was cut short by a thunderstorm. Total number of species observed was SO, with the best birds being 4 Common Loon, 2 Snow Geese, a male Wood Duck sitting on a log close to shore, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a Pileated Woodpecker (close fly-by), 4 Cedar Waxwings, and Bobolinks. Only two species of warblers were observed. Twenty-two members attended on this hot, muggy evening.

Saturday, May 15, 2004 - Riverside birding along the Susquehanna River between Falmouth and Bainbridge. Leader Larry Coble had 27 participants from the LCBC and Appalachian Audubon, plus two guests from Corvallis, Oregon. The weather was a humid 80� with blue skies. Sixty species of birds were found including a minimum of five Prothonotary Warblers, Blue Grosbeak, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on nest at Collins' Lock, Northern Parula singing from atop an active Baltimore Oriole nest, Wood Duck with young, Osprey on nest atop York Haven Dam powerhouse, and 2 Bald Eagles. Mammals seen were 3 Common Map Turtles, 2 American Toads, and a Black Rat Snake.

Sunday, May 16,2004 - Safe Harbor Park & Dam Observation Site. Leaders Sally and Darryl Lownsbery were joined by 11 participants on this sunny, hot day. They identified 67 species, including the following warblers: Blackpoll, Yellow, North Parula, Nashville, Cerulean, Common Yellow-throat, Blue-winged, Prairie, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Ovenbird. Other interesting sightings were a Common Nighthawk perched in a tree, lots of Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Great-crested Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Scarlet Tanager, Pleated Woodpecker, and Wild Turkey.

Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - Blue Marsh Lake, Berks County, and nearby areas. Leader Jay George with local experts Joan Silagy of Leesport and Arlene Koch from Easton, had 8 participants on a mostly bright, sunny day with a light breeze, tempered only by a few afternoon showers. Seventy species were observed with the best sightings being Orchard Oriole, American Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and a fantastic look at a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at eye level and close range. The day had a fitting end with a full, bright rainbow as the group was headed home after the day of birding.

Saturday, June 5,2004 - Stony Creek Valley, Lebanon County. Leader Randy Miller had five participants who braved the cold and rain on this day. A total of 39 species were identified, including Forster's Tern, Blackpoll, and Hooded Warbler.