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"
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2004
PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS

Sunday, October 3, 2004 - This trip to Memorial Lake State Park in Lebanon County in the morning, combined with the hawk watching at Second Mountain Hawk Watch in the afternoon is being led by Rosemary Spreha (Harrisburg 657-0271 or e-mail rspreha@excite.com). Meet at 7:00 a.m. along Route 934, just north of I-8l, near Indiantown Gap Military Cemetary.

Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - A mid-week trip to a hawk watch led by Jay George (Manheim 665-5632). Target area is Bake Oven Knob, but if the wind conditions are not right, area may change to Waggoner's Gap or even Hawk Mountain (entry fee charged). All of these involve hikes to the lookout area over some rocky terrain. Meet at 7:15 a.m. at the northwest edge of Manheim, 170 North Penn Street--from Route 72 north, turn west on Colebrook Street and then south on Penn Street.

Friday, October 8, 2004 - Club meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. Tonight's program, "A Year of Nature at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area" will be presented by Lancaster County Park Naturalist, Clyde McMillanGamber. Don't miss this one--Clyde always has an educational and entertaining program!

Saturday, October 16, 2004 - A trip to Hawk Mountain at the prime time for getting a look at a good variety of hawks and also beautiful fall foliage. An entry fee is charged. Leader: Dave Gochnauer (Lititz 627-2425). Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the A.C. Moore parking lot in the Lancaster Shopping Center between Routes 501 and 272, just south of Route 30.

Friday, November 12, 2004 - Club meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. Adrian Binns, who presented a program last year on British Seabird Colonies returns with the program, "Morocco--Birding the Edge of the Sahara Desert." Having been raised in Morocco, Adrian's knowledge of this area should lend itself to a very interesting program.

Friday-Sunday, November 12-14, 2004 - The annual trip to Chincoteague, Virginia, led by Gary Shirk (Lancaster 291-2172 or e-mail glshirk@dejazzd.com). Reservations a must! A chance for a nice fall weekend of birding the Delmarva Peninsula.

Friday, December 10, 2004 - Club meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. Ramsay Koury, currently vice-president and program chair for the Appalachian Audubon Society, will present tonight's program, "Peru--Land of Ancient Wonder and Modern Marvel." With an interest in birds since third grade, he is an avid birder and has traveled throughout the United States and to many foreign countries. He describes the program as follows: From the mystique of Machu Picchu to the incredible birds of the Amazon Basin, from lush tropical rainforests to the barren Pacific Coast, along with monkeys, tanagers, and even a penguin, Peru is a land of great beauty and diversity.

Saturday, December 11, 2004 (NOTE CHANGE IN DATE) - A trip to Conowingo Dam led by Jan Witmer (Ephrata 738-1855). Prime target bird is the Bald Eagle. Concentration of these birds in the past few years has reached as high as fifty eagles wintering in this area. A good chance to study different plumages. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the A. C. Moore parking area in the Lancaster Shopping Center, between Routes 501 and 272, just south of Route 30.

Christmas Bird Counts - The Club sponsors three Christmas Bird Counts in the county. If you don't get a chance to sign up at a Club meeting, please call the compiler to get involved and assigned to a group or area.
Sunday, December 19, 2004 - Solanco Count Bob Schutsky, Compiler (Hensel 548-3303)
Sunday, December 26, 2004 - Lititz Count - Bruce Carl, Compiler (Akron 859-4179)
Sunday, January 2, 2005 - Lancaster Count - Chris Pederson, Compiler (Lancaster 295-2607)

A reminder to our members about the two scholarships the Club awards each year--one for an adult, one for a student--to provide financial support for support for education or research experiences that promote interest in natural history. The guidelines and application form are included in this newsletter.

When Club members Bob Stevenson and his wife were faced with a move to smaller quarters, they decided to give several cartons of bird-related books to the Club with the idea that the Club would make the books available to the members on a donation basis, thus generating some revenue for the Club. The Board decided to do this and since then has also received some books from other members to be used for the same purpose. Included in this mailing is a list of the books available. Some of them probably should be of interest to book collectors. I've gone to the internet web site abebooks.com to find out what these books might be valued at on the collector's market. These price ranges have been provided to give you some idea of what they are worth. Of course, these price ranges reflect book condition, which can vary greatly and are not intended as prices for the books. (List begins on page 9--easy tear-off to bring along to meeting.)

We plan on making these books available on a donation basis at the October meeting on a first-come, first-served, basis. So, if you are interested in any of the books, early! I plan to have them ready for sale as soon after 6:30 p.m. as possible.

I have received two thank-you notes from Cindy Cargas, scholarship recipient--one thanking the Club for her scholarship, the other expressing her appreciation for the Club's support of the Lancaster County Elementary Envirothon. By the way, we'll have a report at the October meeting from Cindy on her experiences at Hog Island Audubon Camp which she attended using the scholarship from the Club.

And, finally, I want to thank those members who chose this year to join as sustaining members for their higher level of support for the Club's activities. Also, a big "THANK YOU" to those who gave a special donation, also in support of the activities, above their dues.

Gregg Gorton is working on a biography of Ted Parker, a world-renowned ornithologist who grew up in Lancaster and was a member of the LCBC. Gregg invites anyone who knew Ted or birded with Ted to send him reminiscences, stories, anecdotes, observations--whatever you recall about Ted. If possible, respond by e-mail to GreggGor@temple.edu. Or, if you wish to send something by regular mail, the address is: Mr. Gregg Gorton, 209 Woodside Avenue, Narbeth, PA 19072-2429. Please include your name and phone number so that if Gregg wishes to follow-up on your information, he can contact you.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation and assistance with this project.

If you have not paid your dues for 2004-2005, this is the last newsletter you will be receiving. Unless you have recently mailed your dues to Jonathan Heller, paid members will have a "7/05" on their label.

Unpaid members should send their renewal form to our treasurer, along with your check made payable to the Lancaster County Bird Club. In case you have misplaced your renewal form, dues are as follows: Student - $5.00; Regular Adult - $15.00; Family - $25.00 (includes parents & dependent children); Sustaining Individual - $30.00. Mail your completed form and check to Jonathan Heller, 206 Newcomer Road, Mt. Joy, PA 17552-8402.

Current membership stands at 332, 17 more than last year at this time.

A hearty welcome to our new members! We hope you will find the various Club activities both educational and enjoyable. If you don't know many members, please join us on field trips as this is a good way to become acquainted--both with Club members and with the various good birding areas. You will find the more knowledgeable birders are willing to help our new members.

• New Members:
  
  Alderfer, Justin, 652 Covered Bridge Road, Oley, PA 19547
  Boltz, Mrs. Jeanne, 25 Woodbine Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
  Brooks, David M., 723 River Corner Road, Conestoga, PA 17516-9525
  Cargas, Ms. Cindy, 949 Janet Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601
  Cherry, Dave, 5020 Martin Drive, East Petersburg, PA 17520
  Kenepp, Mr. & Mrs. Earl W. (Janet B.), 157 Maple Drive, New Holland, PA 17557
  Parr, Ms. Nancy M., 436 Crosswinds Drive, Lititz, PA 17543
  Weinhold, Mrs. Connie, 2506 Mayfair Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603
  Willett, Mr. & Mrs. David T. (Ruth J.), 100 West Sunset Avenue, Ephrata, PA 17522

• Old Friend Returning:
  
  Myers, Art, 18 Owl Hill Road, Lititz, PA 17543

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!

He saw it. He heard it. But he needed proof.

For almost four years, Louisiana State University (LSU) research associate Daniel Lane, son of Lancaster County Bird Club members Charles & Marga Lane, was haunted by the memory of an unusual, yellowish bird. He and an associate caught a glimpse of it while bird watching in Peru. They even recorded some of its song. Right away, they knew it was something new. Something different.

Now, thanks to Lane, a specimen of that bird--previously unknown to science--rests in a Lima museum and it will soon bear a name of Lane's choosing. As the discoverer of what could be a new species or, perhaps, a new genus, Lane will also be the first to author a scientific description of the bird.

The process will take some time, but, for someone who says his interest in birds began when he was "three or four," it's all a labor of love. (Excerpt from LSU News Press Release)

Marga Lane indicates that Daniel read about the expeditions by the LSU Museum of Natural Sciences to South America in an "International Wildlife" magazine when he was eight years old. This was the time when he first read about the involvement of Lancastrian Ted Parker. Ted became his hero and Daniel eventually contacted LSU as a 12-year-old to ask what credentials he had to meet to be part of the expeditions. He joined a PhD program at LSU in 1995 and was immediately invited to take part in the yearly expeditions.

Dan's only deep regret was that he never had a chance to work with Ted Parker. His parents believe his love for his work is deeply connected to his admiration for Ted Parker and the valuable work Ted accomplished in the field of ornithology.

In late June and early July, Jay & Shirley George vacationed along the coastal northeast. In Maine they stopped at the Audubon Hog Island educational camp where they visited with old Hawk Mountain friends Tom Leckey and Seth Benz, now director of the camp. At Acadia National Park, they viewed newly-fledged, young Peregrines at two eyries. A visit to Machias Seal Island gave them close-up views (at eight feet) of Puffins. There were some 3,000 pairs on the island, plus Common Murres, Razor-billed Auks, and Artic Terns. One Puffin was the rarest of all--a white one seen in a distant flight. In Quebec they viewed Gannets and Black-legged Kittiwakes; while at Perce' Rock they viewed through the fog a good portion of the 34,000 pairs of Gannets nesting on Bonaventure Island. Further along the coast just north of Forillon N.P., Razor-billed Auks nested along the cliffs. The Chic-chocs and Gaspe' Park brought wild strawberries and a begging Merlin. They also enjoyed beautiful scenery while touring Prince Edward Island and eastern New Brunswick. For the trip, the weather was rain, fog, and cold one day, followed by blue skies, bright sun, and warmth the next.

Laura Lockard, a senior biology and chemistry major at Lycoming College, and daughter of Jay & Linda Lockard, spent her summer as an intern for the Clean Water Institute at Lycoming College. Laura worked on a physical stream assessment of Buffalo Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River. In addition to compiling a database of the stream impairments, she conducted chemical analysis of the water and documented aquatic life in the stream. The Clear Water Institute has been developed to be a resource on water issues and to partner with watershed groups for education and protection of the water quality of the West Branch of the Susquehanna watershed. Funding comes from a Growing Greener Grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. "This grant is making possible our study of 75 miles of the West Branch Susquehanna River and its major tributaries," said Lycoming College Biology Department Chair Dr. Mel Zimmerman, who is also the Director of the Institute. This study will help set a baseline for the health of the watershed, and will be a useful tool to monitor the watershed's health in the future.

This summer, Harold Morrin, traveled to the Gaspe' Peninsula hoping to see two new creatures--the Blue Whale (the world's largest mammal) and the Beluga or White Whale. He was successful! Harold and his nephew, Jim Morrin, flew to Quebec city, rented a car, and drove first to Tadoussac where they went whale watching in the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers. Whales spotted were Blue, Beluga, Fin, Minke, Humpback, and Harbor Porpoise. The Belugas were seen from the boat as well as the shore. Harold and Jim continued the road trip to the tip of the peninsula to Perce' where they enjoyed Bonaventure Island by foot and by boat to see the nesting Gannet colony. They returned to Quebec by driving inland. Picturesque scenery was abundant the entire trip as were opportunities for hiking and exploring the quaint fishing villages. This was Harold's third trip to Peninsula, but the first for the Blue and White!

In early August, Larry Coble presented "Seeing Birds in the Mid-Atlantic States: Habitat is the Keystone" to about fifty residents of Masonic Village. Larry used his own slides for the presentation, which was televised on the Masonic Village channel. The grounds at the Village are great for birding, with woods, farmland, and wetlands. His program was geared to beginning birders and included birding resources such as identification books and internet hotlines.

Kurt Bodling, husband of Anne Mease Bodling, has been hired on adjunct status as science librarian at Millersville University. He's reportedly very happy with the position and hopes for permanent status next year. Congratulations and best wishes!

Saturday, August 28, 2004 - The beginning of our year's activities with leader Bruce Carl and eight participants looking for early migrants along Pumping Station Road got off to a slow start. Seven warbler species were identified, which included Canada, Black-throated Green, and Black-throated Blue. Other notable observations were Yellow-billed Cuckoo, White-eyed Vireo, and many Peewees and Red-eyed Vireos. Speedwell County Park was not visited due to the very wet and muddy trails.

Friday, September 3, 2004 - The first Club meeting featured beautiful bird slides and very informative commentary by Bob Mulvihill, a staff ornithologist at Powdermill Nature Preserve in western Pennsylvania. His program chronicled the bird banding activities at Powdermill over the years and some of the findings revealed by these banding activities. A very interesting program!

Saturday, September 4, 2004 - Bird sightings seemed to be rather evasive on this hike along the trails in the Furnace Hills in the vicinity of the old Cornwall Fire Tower location. Leaders Leon & Jane Schreffler reported that the group of 11 trip participants identified 33 species, only one of which was a warbler--a Nashville. Other species included Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Rubythroated Hummingbird, Cedar Waxwing, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The group was also entertained by a Broad-winged Hawk being attacked by a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a family of Redeyed Vireos with young still being fed by the parents. Other observations included Praying Mantis, Walking Sticks, Buckeye and Red-spotted Butterflies, some colorful spiders, and crickets providing background music. A very pleasant morning for a walk in the woods.

Saturday, September 18, 2004 - This trip to Pumping Station Road and Second Mountain was canceled due to the torrential rain from Hurricane Ivan.

Sunday, September 26, 2004 - This field trip along the Canal Trail from Bainbridge to Falmouth was canceled because of health and safety concerns related to water, mud, and debris left behind by the flooding of the Susquehanna River. We'll try again in the spring!

The Harold B. Morrin Scholarship
Sponsored by the Lancaster County Bird Club

Guidelines

1) The purpose of the scholarships will be to provide financial support for educational or research experiences which promote or develop an interest or leadership in natural history, with a preference given to the field of ornithology. Examples of fundable activities are listed below but are not meant to be exhaustive.

It is the intent of the Club to promote research projects such as:

It is also the intent of the Club to promote educational experiences such as:

2) Support of up to 75% of the cost of an educational course or research project, with a maximum of $400.00 per person, will be offered each year to no more than one youth and one adult.

3) Youth applicants must be at least 12 years of age, but shall not have reached their 19th birthday prior to February 1st of the year the grant is made.
Adults are those individuals 19 years of age or older as of February 1st of the year the grant is made.

4) Consideration will be given first to Club members and then residents of Lancaster County.

5) Each applicant will complete an application form including an essay, not to exceed 300 words, explaining the applicant's intended use of the scholarship monies.

6) Each recipient will report to the Club members at the conclusion of the experience. Reports may be verbal or written. Written reports will be published in Call Notes.

7) The President of the LCBC will appoint a Scholarship Committee consisting of three (3) members, with at least one (1) from the Board of Directors, to consider all applicants, the size of the grants, and who will receive them. The Committee's decisions will be final.

8) Applicants must apply by February 1st and a decision will be made by March 1st of each calendar year.

9) An individual will not be eligible to receive the grant more than twice.

10) All applicants will be notified by mail as to the Committee's decision.

11) A Certificate/Award will be presented to each scholarship recipient at the Club's regular March meeting.

The Harold B. Morrin Scholarship

Application

Name_____________________________________________________  Date_________________

Address__________________________________________________  Phone________________

City________________________________________________  State________  Zip________

____ Adult Scholarship (19 & older) 
____ Youth Scholarship (12-18) School Grade_____________________

Member of the Lancaster County Bird Club ____ Yes     ____ No

Have you received a Lancaster County Bird Club Scholarship in the past ____ Yes ____ No

If yes, what was the year of the scholarship award _______________________________

Total cost of activity for which the scholarship will be used ___________________

Please explain, in 300 words or less, how you would use the
scholarship money (attach a separate sheet if needed.)

Send completed application to:

Lancaster County Bird Club
Jan Witmer, President 
967 Clearview Ave. 
Ephrata, PA 17522