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 2008

CHANGING OF THE GUARD by President Ann Bodling

As we begin a new year of Lancaster County Bird Club activity it is most fitting that we recognize the significant contribution of one of our Board members and his longstanding commitment and dedication to the Club's mission and its members. Jan Witmer, though continuing on as a vital member of the Board of Directors, has retired from his position as Call Notes newsletter editor. Jan began as editor in 1994 and has done a memorable job of keeping all of us up to date with the Club's news, events, field trips, research information and more. During the years from 2003-2006 Jan also did double duty as the Club's president, revisiting the position he held from 1976-1979.

Jan, thank you, for your willingness to serve us all with your diligence, your humor, your friendly personality and your many skills. The Club is richer for your service and we are indebted to you for your efforts. Good luck on your new mission of relaxing more and working less!

The Club would also like to thank Jonathan Heller for his recently ended tenure as our Club's treasurer. He has served for the last few years and has brought his dedication and his extensive knowledge of the financial world to serve us willingly and most capably. Jonathan, we appreciate your time and energy in this past position and wish you well as you take on whatever comes next.

We are pleased to welcome Barbara Hunsberger to the position of Call Notes Newsletter editor, Roger Stoner to the position of treasurer and Glenn Shaffer as compiler of the Birds on the Move column. Our club has a rich history, not only of excellent birders and birding, but also of excellent people with hearts for the well being and growth of the Lancaster County Bird Club. Thank you to Barbara, Roger and Glenn for stepping into the long line of people who have kept our Club thriving over the years.

PREVIEWS OF COMING EVENTS

Saturday, August 30, 2008 - A field trip to look for early fall migrants in the Furnace Hills area and along Hammer Creek. Leader Bruce Carl (Akron 859-4179 or e-mail carls [AT] dejazzd [DOT] com) will meet the group at 7:00 am at the intersection of Pumping Station Road and Route 322, west of Brickerville, to begin birding activities.

Saturday, September 6, 2008 - A walk along the trails in the old Cornwall Fire Tower area of Furnace Hills. Meet at 7:00 am at the State Game Lands parking lot at the end of the former Cornwall Fire Tower Road. Leader: Steve Rannels (Hershey 534-2480 or e-mail srannels [AT] psu [DOT] edu).

Friday, September 12, 2008 - The first club meeting of the new season: 7:30 pm at the Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA. Featured tonight will be Jeffrey Gordon with the topic, The Ten Most Important Birds in North America During the Past 30 Years. Looking back over the past three decades, Mr. Gordon will tell us stories of ten individual birds that made a difference to all of us, whether we personally saw them or not. From the Newburyport Ross's Gull to the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Jeff will share his selection of ten birds that changed the world. Mr. Gordon is a writer, tour leader and naturalist who lives in Lewes, DE, and currently serves as Field Editor for Bird Watcher's Digest.

September 13, 2008 - A hike to check for fall migrants. Leader Randy Miller (Manheim 664-3778) will meet the group at 7:00 am at the State Game Lands 145 parking lot off Pinch Road in Mt. Gretna. Search for songbirds in the early morning, and then go to the Second Mountain Hawk Watch later in the morning for the hawk migration. This is a good time for large flights of Broad-winged Hawks.

FIELD TRIP POINTERS AND ETIQUETTE

1. All field trip participants should notify the leader by 6:00 pm on the day before the scheduled trip, except trips requiring room reservations, for which an earlier deadline will be published. Please do not show up for trips unannounced or without reservations, where applicable.
2. Arrive at the starting place with a full tank of gas.
3. Keep the car in front and behind in sight at all times. Be sure to check those intersections controlled by traffic lights.
4. Do not "case" the area before the leader arrives.
5. Never precede the leader on the walk. Don't wander away from the group causing delays when the group wants to move to another location.
6. Avoid sudden or loud noises and sweeping arm motions.
7. Be respectful of the property of others.
8. Remember: STOP - LOOK - LISTEN - SHARE

MEMBERSHIP NEWS BY PAT WITMER

A reminder-your membership renewal for 2008-09 is payable now. Enclosed with this newsletter is the renewal form for your membership. This is also being mailed to prospective members who have requested information regarding LCBC. Since this is the only notice you will receive, please complete the form and mail it, along with your check made payable to the Lancaster County Bird Club, to our treasurer, Roger Stoner, 1650 Princess Anne Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601, at your earliest convenience. It would be helpful if you included your 9-digit zip code and your e-mail address on this form. A few people have already renewed, or new members have joined for 2008-09 and this is indicated on their mailing label by a "7/09" and there will not be a renewal form enclosed in their mailing.

Total membership for 2007-08 was 385, a decrease of 11 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.

Old Friends Returning:

• Fisher, Pam, 761 Willow Lane, Gap, PA 17527

New Members:

• Bennett, Bill, 1514 Princess Anne Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601
• Harber, Geraldine, 134 Deer Ford Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601
• Lahr, John D., 699 Martic Heights Drive, Pequea, PA 17565

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS BY BETTINA HEFFNER

Many of us enjoy "The Lancaster That Was" in the Sunday News. On May 18 our fellow member Lloyd Hassel was pictured as part of the largest graduating class of Strasburg High. There were 38 graduates in his class in 1938. Lloyd has lived most of his life in Lancaster County, having graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a major in chemistry and having retired from Armstrong Cork Company. He joined the LCBC in the late 1940s and is a former president. When you see Lloyd, tell him you recognized his picture in the paper; he's still looking good!

PA Falcon Cam, an internet website which has been following the progress of the mating Peregrine Falcons at the Rachel Carson Office Building in Harrisburg, is a wonderful source of information on this pair as well as the species in general. The website is sponsored by the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) and has several links to explore. One of these is the Falcon Wire News, which has reported on the Watch and Rescue Program for the four nestlings, which will fledge sometime in June. The procedure for following the eyases' first flights is interesting reading. DEP's Environmental Education and Information staff coordinates the daytime Watch and Rescue, while member Sandra Lockerman coordinates the off-hours volunteer piece. Let's hope that there's good news to report on a successful fledging for all four birds. Thank you, Sandra, for your leadership with the volunteer effort.

Member Len Eiserer loves the American Robin. When he spoke to the LCBC several years ago, he dressed like a Robin; he looked great - very avian. He has taken his affection for the bird to a new height by establishing the Len Eiserer American Robin Fund as an endowment for the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Len reports that the annual proceeds will support field, laboratory and bibliographic research, rehabilitation and education. He says "the fund is small now but it will be substantial before I reach my final roost and it will continue in perpetuity."

Every human being on this planet can do something to help save the Earth from global warming and other negative impacts. What we plant in our yards can make a difference. With this in mind, Lebanon County's South Londonderry Township's Environmental Advisory Council has established its "Natural Area" program. Members Evelyn Kopple and Sidney Hostetter applied for the Natural Area designation as reported on the front page of the Lebanon Daily News on April 27^th. (They have since been accepted for the program.) The couple is committed to creating a native natural area by gradually removing non-native ground covers and plants and replacing them with native grasses, wildflowers and other plants which will attract insects, birds and butterflies. Best wishes to Evelyn and Sidney as they transform their outdoor world, one plant at a time.

BIRDS ON THE MOVE (MARCH-MAY) COMPILED BY GLENN SHAFFER

Editor's Note: Please report your sightings to Glenn Shaffer, 221 Maxson Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601. He prefers to have reports sent to his e-mail address (twoshaffers [AT] yahoo [DOT] com), but will accept mail or phone reports (717-569-2519). 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 behavior that would be of interest to our members. Your help is needed in making this column a way of recording the county's bird life. If you send a report to the Pennsylvania Birding List or make a verbal report at an LCBC meeting, please send that report to Glenn also. Thank you for your help!

REPORT OF COMPLETED EVENTS

Saturday, March 29, 2008 - Leader Jonathon Heller had 15 participants on a cool and sunny day along the Susquehanna River from Wrightsville to Long Level, West Fairview and Marysville. 59 species of birds were identified, including Common Loons, Redhead Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Peregrine Falcon and 42 Little Gulls.

Friday, April 11, 2008 - Mary Jo Casalena spoke to about 75 members of the LCBC about The Secret Life of Turkeys. Ms. Casalena is the Wild Turkey Biologist for the PA Game Commission. According to Ms. Casalena, Wild Turkeys are Pennsylvania's second most sought after game bird and the nation's largest game bird. By the 1930's there were only about 3000 Wild Turkeys left in PA due to habitat loss and "market hunting." Due to an active restoration program by the PA Game Commission, the number of birds has rebounded to about 330,000 birds currently.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - Jim Smith had an eager group of birders and wild flower enthusiasts for a walk that began early in the morning at Safe Harbor for spring migrants and continued later in the morning with a wild flower walk at Shenk's Ferry Nature Preserve. 37 species of birds were identified. Target birds identified included Wood Duck, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush. Many wild flowers were in bloom at the Preserve including Dutchman's Breeches, Shenk's Ferry Trillium, Virginia Bluebells and Yellow Trout Lily. Notable species included White Trout Lily, Wild Ginger, Green Violet, Bishop's Cap and Showy Orchis (in bud).

Friday, May 2, 2008 - The LCBC's annual picnic meeting was held at Middle Creek WMA and began at 4:00 pm with birding led by Leon Schreffler. The group birded until 6:00 pm and then stopped for a picnic at the Sun Fish Pond picnic area. Birding resumed along the auto tour route until dark. 20 Club members and six members of the public participated. A total of 55 species was identified. Warblers included Chestnut-sided, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow-rumped. Other species of note included White-crowned and Grasshopper Sparrows, Broad-wing Hawk, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Solitary and Spotted Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, White-eyed Vireo, Great-crested Flycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole.

Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 6 LCBC members joined leader Jim Smith on a cool, damp and foggy morning along Lock 12 and McCall's Ferry Rd. in York County just across the Susquehanna from the Norman Wood Bridge. Birds identified included both species of Orioles, Northern Parula, Cerulean Warblers, pair of Scarlet Tanagers, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher building a nest, and Red-eyed, Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireos. Target birds found at the Holtwood ash basin #2 included Yellow-breasted Chat and Prairie Warbler. Blue Grosbeak was notably absent.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Leon and Jane Schreffler led 14 members of LCBC on a walk in Landis Woods. The group identified 46 species including: 4 warblers, Black-and-White, Black-throated Blue, Common Yellowthroat, and many Yellow-rumps. Other good birds included Wood and Hermit Thrush, Baltimore Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Great Horned Owl and a good look at a Common Loon flying over.

Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Warbler Walks

Chickies Rock County Park - Leader was Roger Stoner - 3 participants - 47 species - 6 species of warblers including: Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped, Bald-and-White, Worm-eating, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat.

Middle Creek WMA - Leader was Fred Habegger - 12 participants - 93 species - 9 species of warblers including Hooded Warbler. Other sightings were Bonaparte's Gull, Horned Lark, 3 Turkey Gobblers displaying for 2 hens and a resident Bald Eagle chasing off an immature Bald Eagle.

Central Hammer Creek - Leader was Bruce Carl - 8 participants - 87 species - 13 warbler species including: Blue-winged, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Yellow-throated and Worm-eating. Other highlights include: (2) Black-crowned Night Herons, (2) Broad-winged Hawks, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Osprey, (6) Solitary Sandpipers, and Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireos, White-throated Sparrow and (2) Purple Finch.

Friday-Monday, May 16-19, 2008 - There were 5 participants including leader Bruce Carl along on an extended weekend trip through Eastern PA & Tioga County. Some of the areas included Roaring Creek Watershed, Rose Valley Lake, SGL 37, SGL 313 "The Muck", Wellsboro area, parts of Northern Lycoming Valley and PPL Montour Preserve. A total of 121 species was sighted in unfavorable weather conditions that were cold, rainy, windy and even some sleet. Among the 21 species of warblers were Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, and Black-throated Blue. Other bird observations included Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon (3 chicks at nest box), Virginia Rail, Common Raven, Marsh Wren, Northern Harrier, Wild Turkeys, Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Saturday, May 17, 2008 - Doug Anderson led 6 participants in the Safe Harbor area. A total of 67 species were sighted. Highlights included Cerulean Warblers, Bay-breasted Warbler, Yellow Breasted-Chat, and a groundhog up in a tree. Dennis Harnly assisted Doug with leading the group.

Created for the Internet on ... 20 August 2008