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 2005

Saturday, August 27, 2005 - The start of our 2005-2006 year begins with a field trip to look for early migrants. Leader Bruce Carl (Akron 859-4179 or e-mail carls@dejazzd. com) takes us to Pumping Station Road and Speedwell County Park. Meet at 7:00 a.m. in the parking lot at the intersection of Route 322 and Pumping Station Road, west of Brickerville.

Friday, September 2, 2005 - SPECIAL NOTE: This first Club meeting is the first Friday of the month. Club member Genevieve Tvrdik takes us on a trip to the southern reaches of the Caribbean with her slide program, "Birding Trinidad and Tobago." Combining two trips, the most recent in 2001, she will highlight some of the marvels of tropical bird life from these islands located just seven miles from Venezuela. The meeting will be held at the Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 10, 2005 - A trip to the Cornwall Fire Tower Trails which will be led by Steve & Sharon Rannels (Hershey 534-2480). Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Cornwall Fire Tower. Early fall migrants will be the main objective.

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - An early morning trip to Pumping Station Road and then to the Second Mountain Hawk Watch near Indiantown Gap. Leaders: Thom Kurtz and Nancy Clupper (Lancaster 299-9406). Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Route 322 and Pumping Station Road, west of Brickerville.

Sunday, October 2, 2005 - A field trip to Memorial Lake and Second Mountain Hawk Watch 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-81. The morning will be spent birding in the state park, followed by a trip to the hawk watch for raptor migration.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE BY JAN WITMER

As we get ready to start another year's activities, there are a number of things to report concerning the end of the 2004-2005 season.

First - I failed to include in the last newsletter that Andrew Odell was the recipient of the Harold B. Morrin Scholarship for this year. A belated congratulations to Andrew and my apologies for this oversight. I'll be looking forward to his report on his scholarship activities.

Second - A special thanks must go to Club member Daniel Ness. We had 41 books left over from those that had been donated to the Club for sale. Dan volunteered to offer them for auction over his own website arrangement. He was able to sell 33 of them, which resulted in raising an additional $180.00 for the Club. The remaining eight books were donated to the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society for their annual Book Frolic. Again, thank you Daniel Ness.

Third - Congratulations also go to new Club member Judy Rettich. Her name was picked as the winner in the drawing for the book, "Audubon's Mini-Elephant Portfolio." The book was donated to the Club by Nancy Clupper and Thom Kurtz. The sale of chances for this drawing raised $96.00 for the Club.

Fourth - I received a "Thank-You" note from the Envirothon team known as the Solanco Salamanders and their coaches, Tina Ault and Becky Ackerley, and teacher Betty Bollinger. Their note expressed appreciation for the Club's support of the Lancaster County Elementary Envirothon. They also acknowledged the value of the Envirothon as being an important tool in helping to increase the students' knowledge of their environment.

Fifth - Last, but not least, on behalf of the Club, I want to extend my thanks to Fred Zimmerman and Dave Gochnauer for their years of volunteer service on the Board of Directors. Without the willingness of people to serve in these positions of leadership, the Club would cease to exist. So, again, I say thank you to these two gentlemen and hope that their interest and involvement with the Club will continue in whatever capacity they choose.

And now, to start the new year, it is a pleasure to report that the Board of Directors has approved the following contributions for the 2005-2006 year:

BIRDS ON THE MOVE (March l, 2005 to May 31, 2005) BY BARBARA HUNSBERGER

Editor's Note: Please report your sightings to Barbara Hunsberger, 984 Woodridge Boulevard, Lancaster, PA 17601. She prefers to have reports sent to her e-mail address: phunsberger@comcast. net, but will accept mail or phone reports (Lancaster 393-4091). Remember, our focus is not just on rare or uncommon birds, but also on more common species that appear in unusual numbers, out-of-season, or exhibiting behaviour that would be of interest to our members. Your help is needed in making this column a way of recording the county's birdlife. If you send a report to the Pennsylvania Bird List Serve or make a verbal report at a Club meeting, please send that report to Barb also. Thanks for your help!

MEMBERSHIP NEWS BY PAT WITMER

A reminder--your membership renewal for 2005-2006 is payable now. Enclosed with this mailing is the renewal form for your membership--this is also being mailed to prospective members who have requested information regarding the LCBC. 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 17552-8401, at your earliest convenience. It would be helpful if you included your nine-digit zip code and your e-mail address on this form. Also, a few people have already renewed, or new members have joined, for 2005-2006. This is indicated on their mailing label by a "7/06" and there will not be a renewal form enclosed in their mailing.

Total Club membership for 2004-2005 was 397, an increase of seven members over the previous year.

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

• New Members:
  
  Karge, Thomas E., 1222 Kelley Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601
  Raudenbush, Ms. Debra, 106 Batten's Circle, Leola, PA 17540

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS BY BETTINA HEFFNER

Talent isn't a lost commodity with LCBC members. At the well-attended first-time ever Juried Staff and Resident Art Reception at Landis Homes, Harold Housman was a top finisher in the Best of Show recognition with his watercolor. Twenty persons submitted up to five pieces of artwork judged by three local artists. The article with a photo of the top finishers appeared in The Shopping News on March 5th. Congratulations Harold!

This has been a remarkable spring for Laura Lockard, daughter of Linda & Jay Lockard of Ephrata. As a senior at Lycoming College in Williamsport, majoring in biology and chemistry, Laura spent spring break volunteering with Habitat for Humanity International's Collegiate Challenge in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Her photo with hammer appeared in The Ephrata Review in April. Other entries in The Ephrata Review this spring included Laura's participation in World Vision's 30-hour fast which raised awareness and funds to combat world hunger, and her presentation of a paper she helped to write entitled, "The Assessment of Erosion Potential along Black Hole and Buffalo Creeks (Lycoming and Union Counties)" at the 81st annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science ...Another talented LCBC member. Best wishes, Laura!

In the Prospective section of the April 24, 2005, issue of the Lancaster Sunday News, Andrew Odell presented an "In My Opinion" column on the current discussion about the origin of life. He reacted to the decision by the Dover School District to require the reading of a statement in biology classes that there are two relevant theories: evolution and intelligent design. He quoted several views published by proponents of the intelligent design theory and argued that both theories should be taught side-by-side.

Also in the Prospective section of the same issue, Jim McMullen contributed The Lancaster That Was item about the annual honoring of President Buchanan at his gravesite in Woodward Hill Cemetary by "Dr. Price's boys" who were active in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Dr. Price was the scout leader who annually honored President Buchanan with a new flag, a ceremony now sponsored by the Pilot Club. Among the scouts in the vintage photo are Jim, deceased members Dick Eyde and Boyd Grifflth, and former member Carl Bostrom.

In late April and early May, Chuck Chalfant, Robert Coley, and Barbara & Peter Hunsberger experienced a thrilling birding adventure in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Barbara & Peter joined the tour about mid-way and missed the first great event as hundreds of migrating warblers, buntings, thrushes, grosbeaks, and other birds almost literally fell from the sky into the trees, shrubs, and ground of South Padre Island. One Swainson's Thrush was so exhausted that after landing in a low shrub, it teetered back & forth and finally fell to the ground. The underbrush was too thick to see if it revived, but not too thick to see a Sora looking straight at us. In a suburban backyard, the group saw numerous Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Cerulean Warblers, Cape May Warblers, among others. At another location, hundreds of Dickcissels were observed feeding on millet in a large field. Another thrill was tracking down the sought after White-collared Seedeater, the Crimson-collared Grosbeak, and the Aplomado Falcon.

At Big Bend National Park, everyone hiked about eleven miles round trip to look for the Colima Warbler and were rewarded with several close looks. They observed the Lucifer Hummingbird (their #1 bird) on the Blue Creek Trail. The most animated bird on the trip was a Painted Restart which reacted rather violently to a human owl call. Along the way, they sneaked up on the Black-capped, Bell's, Gray, and Hutton's vireos, the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. Aside from the birds, it was awesome to view the millions of Mexican Free-tailed Bats leaving their cave at sunset. The group agreed this was a wonderful time and place to view 311 species, many of them lifers or new in the ABA area.

In a very informative article in the Magazine section of the New Era on May 4, 2005, Lynda Lueck-Stoner was interviewed about how to raise and prepare organic asparagus. She and husband Roger grow the perennial in their backyard and at their family farm. Three wonderful recipes were included, along with Lynda's photo with a basket of asparagus, ready for the steaming pot. Lynda is an extension agent with Penn State's Lancaster County Cooperative Extension Service. Thanks for the "asparagus tips" Lynda.

"Birding opportunities abound in Lancaster County, nearby" was the heading of an article in the Active Lifestyle section of the Sunday News on May 29, 2005, which mentions Lee Amigh, Jan Witmer, and Jim Smith. Lee encourages readers to check out the Lancaster County Park System, Jan informs readers about LCBC activities, and Jim can be contacted about bald eagle watching in the Holtwood area. "Birding," says Lee, "is a gentle form of all-season exercise and a wonderful way to socialize. It's a way to relax while keeping alert and it stimulates memory." Lee's photo with binoculars poised was included.

The headline in the Intelligencer Journal on June 13, 2005, says it all: "Making connections for folks in need... Carol Wendel makes an impact with program organizing caregivers at Garden Spot Village." Her photo was included. Carol & Ken Wendel are residents of Garden Spot Village in New Holland and are new members of the Bird Club. Carol volunteers as coordinator for Caring Connections, a program linking volunteer caregivers with residents of Garden Spot Village who have a need for support while facing illness, grieving the loss of a loved one, adjusting to a new home, etc. She trains the volunteers and supports them during their caregiving.

Editor's Note: Items for this column should be sent directly to Bettina Heffner. Her address is 539 North Mary Street, Lancaster, PA 17603-3009 or you can e-mail her at bettinahef@msn. com.

REVIEW OF COMPLETED EVENTS

Friday, April 8, 2005 - Over one hundred people attended the regular Club meeting this month and were treated to the program, "Birding the Adirondacks." Presenter Bill Barber, who has over forty years of accumulated experiences birding, hiking, camping, and fishing in the Adirondacks, shared his knowledge about the history of the park and the many bird species to be found there. The Power-Point presentation took us to various birding locations in this area of New York state with a particular emphasis on boreal species.

Saturday, April 9, 2005 - Leader Jonathan Heller had 14 participants on this trip along the Susquehanna River and to Safe Harbor. They identified 55 species. Highlights included Horned Grebe, a Double-crested Cormorant swimming on the Conestoga with its "double crest" clearly visible, Peregrine Falcon flying with a Flicker in its talons, 300+ Bonaparte's Gulls, Rough-winged Swallows, good views of Yellow-throated, Palm, and Pine Warblers, and a Pileated Woodpecker excavating a hole at Safe Harbor Park.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - A group of 12 people were led by Jim Smith on a delightful bird and flower walk, visiting Safe Harbor Park and Shenk's Ferry Wildflower Preserve. A nice day for a walk, which produced some good birds. Sightings included Northern Parula, close looks at Cerulean Warbler, a pair of Wood Ducks perching on a branch on a wooded hillside, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. At Shenk's Ferry three more warblers were seen--Black & White, Yellow-rumped, and Louisiana Waterthrush. The usual river birds included both Black and Turkey Vultures, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Doublecrested Cormorant, Osprey, Mallards, Canada Geese, and fly-over Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks. A total of thirty species was tallied for the morning.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - A new trip this year to the Lower Susquehanna River Gorge (Important Bird Area #27) attracted five members and was led by Jim Smith. Visiting various "hotspots" in this IBA, stops were made at Locks 12 and 15 in York County, Pinnacle Road and Holtwood village area, Face Rock Overlook, and Susquehanna State Park. Among the 55 species identified by the group were the following notable sightings: Northern Parula, Cerulean Warblers (4), Louisiana Waterthrush (2), a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers building a nest, two Bald Eagle nests, two Osprey nests, Prairie Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Caspian Tern, and American Kestrel.

Friday, April 20 - Monday, May 2, 2005 - Twenty people were on this trip to the Delmarva Peninsula. Once again, leader Bruce Carl conducted a highly successful trip (154 total species) birding at the following locations: White Clay Creek State Park, Thousand Acre Marsh, Bombay Hook NWR, Chincoteague NWR, Kiptopeke State Park, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Islands, Shad Landing State Park, Prime Hook NWR, Broadkill Beach Road, and Fort Mahon Road, A summary shows nine species of herons and egrets, 13 species of waterfowl, 11 species of raptors, 20 species of shorebirds, 17 species of warblers, and five species of terns.

Highlights from the Bay Bridge Tunnel Islands were 12-15 Northern Gannets, 15+ Whitethroated Sparrows, one Swamp Sparrow, two House Wrens, one each of Field Sparrow, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, one male and two female Rufuous-sided Towhees, one Black and White Warbler, four Yellow-rumped Warblers, one Common Yellowthroat, one Rubycrowned Kinglet, 45 Purple Sandpipers, eight Ruddy Turnstones, one Bonaparte's Gull, three Oystercatchers, and many Forester's and Royal Terns. The two best birds on this day were an Arctic Tern observed perched on the jetty rocks with about 15-20 Forester's Terns and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher viewed by the group as it fed on the island building and along the ground by the guard rail that surrounded the island. The bird put on quite a show for about 20 minutes and seemed content on feeding, ignoring the twenty humans that were watching it. These sightings are a direct result of a spring migration fallout when weather conditions push migrants out over the water at night and these islands are the only spots for the birds to land.

Other highlights for the trip included Brown Pelicans, one Horned Grebe, two Surf Scoters, Merlins, Whimbrel, two Marbled Godwits, two Common Moorhens, three Chuck-wills-widows calling, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Yellow-throated, Palm, and many Prothonotary Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Junco, and White-crowned Sparrows.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - For the second year in a row, Jane & Leon Schreffler led a very warm (85�) walk through the Landis Woods for the 12 participants. Twenty-seven species were identified on this evening trip with only two warblers being identified: Yellowrumped and Common Yellowthroat. Other highlights were Wood Thrush, Great-crested Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting, and a Solitary Sandpiper.

Friday, May 13, 2005 - The annual Club picnic meeting was attended by 35 members and guests. A bird walk along the Conservation Trail and fields behind the Middle Creek WMA Vistors' Center beginning at 4:00 p.m. was led by Jan Witmer. After a 6:00 p.m. picnic lunch and brief business meeting, birding continued around the tour route. Fifty-six species of birds were identified with best birds being Scarlet Tanager, Bobolink, White-eyed Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, immature Baltimore Orioles, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Bluewinged Warbler.

Saturday, May 14, 2005 - Warbler Walk Reports

Hammer Creek - Bruce Carl had six people in his group covering Pumping Station Road, the Triangle, Speedwell County Park, and Speedwell Lake. They identified 17 warbler species in this day's total of 89 species. Highlights for this walk were both Northern and Louisiana Waterthrushes, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Yellowthroated, Canada, and Worm-eating Warblers. Other sightings included Common Moorhen, Great Egret, Common Mergansers, five species of shorebirds, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and both Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireos.

Middle Creek WMA - A total of 11 people were on this walk led by Fred Habegger. They hit the "century mark," tallying 100 species for the day. Among the 14 warbler species were Canada, Tennessee, and Blackburnian. Other interesting finds were Blue-winged Teal, a Scaup species, Great Egret, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, and Tundra Swan.

Chickies Rock - No report received.

Ted Parker Natural Area - Sally & Darryl Lownsbery tallied fifty species in this pristine area in the southern part of the county. Included among their sightings were the following warbler species: Palm, Blackpoll, Magnolia, Northern Parula, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Common Yellowthroat. Other sightings were Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Acadian Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Veery, Eastern Meadowlark, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles.

The complete results of the North American Migration Count for Lancaster County will be reported in the annual research issue of "Call Notes."

Sunday, May 15, 2005 - Twelve participants on this trip to Safe Harbor Park and the Observation site were led by Sally & Darryl Lownsbery. Sixty-three species were identified by the group. This included the following 13 warbler species: Yellow-breasted Chat, Prairie, Blue-winged, Black-throated Green, Worm-eating, Blackpoll, Yellow, Canada, Yellow-throated, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, and Redstart. Other sightings were Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Scarlet Tanager, Pileated Woodpecker, Spotted Sandpiper, imm. Bald Eagle, Osprey, and Great-crested Flycatcher.

Saturday, May 21, 2005 - Larry Coble had 14 participants on this trip that birded the Susquehanna River's Conewago Falls at Falmouth and the Bainbridge Lock Swamp. On a nice, pleasant day with temperatures ranging from 50-60 degrees, 54 species were tallied by the group. Among the more notable sightings were one Red-breasted Merganser, one Snowy Egret, six Great Egrets, one Bald Eagle, five+ Prothonotary Warblers, a singing Swainson's Thrush, and numerous Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary, Spotted, and Least Sandpipers.

Saturday, June 4, 2005 - A mystery trip to various locations in Lebanon County was led by Randy Miller. Visiting Stony Valley, State Game Land 211, Memorial Lake State Park, and a new pond along Mt. Pleasant Road, the five trip participants identified 75 species. Some of the highlights were seven Semi-palmated Plovers, two Least Sandpipers, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-throated Green Warbler, a Cerulean Warbler sitting in a dead tree for five minutes, and a Grasshopper Sparrow within twenty yards.

Other encounters with nature included several with turtles. At Memorial Lake State Park, they picked a baby Snapping Turtle off the road, along with a Stinkpot Turtle. They had a Painted Turtle laying eggs, and a Wood Turtle along Route 443. They also observed hundreds of Red Efts in Stony Valley.

Quite a variety of experiences for this Mystery Trip. Since Randy has indicated he would do a Mystery Trip again next year, I wonder what he'll have in store for us then!