Meetings and Programs

IN PERSON AT NOLDE FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL ED. CENTER 

Brant Portner, the Environmental Education Specialist at Middle Creek Wildlife Management area* will share a presentation about the Snow Goose migration phenomenon at the refuge. 

In 2018, Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area hosted nearly 180,000 migrating snow geese and tens of thousands of other waterfowl species such as tundra swans. Learn about how this migration event came to be, more about what makes these species unique, and the best tips for how to view them during the spring migration. Additional information will include some other sights and species to see outside of the typical spring waterfowl migration at Middle Creek. 

*Note this is a change from the published speaker, who has been rescheduled to September

 - Mike Slater, BOC Member

From far southern South America home of the Giant Hummingbird and the Green-backed Fire-crown in Chile; up the Andes to Ecuador and north through central America for tropical beauties that may be shy or outgoing and into Berks County where Ruby-throats rule in the summer and Rufous Hummingbirds occasionally visit in the fall; Mike will share some of his most memorable hummingbird pictures and experiences with us.

White-necked Jacobin photo by Mike Slater

 - Vince Smith, Valley Forge Audubon Society president 

Just in time for hawk migration, Vince will be teaching the basics of raptor identification. This presentation will discuss some of the tricks you can use to improve your hawk, eagle, and vulture ID skills. Some topics covered include how to tell vultures from eagles and how to tell the difference between a buteo, accipiter, and falcon.

2 page Legal Size list 8.5x14)

3 page Letter size list (8.5x11)

For our 2022-2023 meetings at Nolde Forest EEC, your Board of Directors asks:

 If you are feeling ill, have recently been exposed to COVID, or are awaiting the results of a test for COVID-19, please stay home.

 Consider wearing a mask if you wish to minimize your risk for contracting the virus. A highly effective mask (N95, KN95, or KF94) is recommended. 

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As of Aug. 23, Berks County is rated by the CDC as "low" community risk, based mainly on the risks for overburdening our healthcare system and for severe disease. This Community Risk rating does not mean that the risk of contracting COVID is low at this time in Berks. Current CDC guidance regarding masking is: “At all levels, people can wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.” Individuals would do well to base their decisions on the risk to the most vulnerable person they have close contact with.” 

7:30 PM at Location: Nolde Forest EEC, 

(In person only, no Zoom*)

To paraphrase Thoreau, I have traveled much in Reading. A layoff and COVID-19 isolation allowed me to explore the bird life possibilities within the city limits. We'll talk about the places, the people and the birds I encountered during my City of Reading Big Year counts. 

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Due to recent problems with internet access at the meeting location, we are unable to have the meeting available live via Zoom as well as in person.  

Mike Slater is planning on making video recordings of the meetings with the speaker's permission and making them a available here on this site a few days after each meeting.

Fox Sparrow at Angelica Park

Photo by Russ Hoffman

Mar 11, 2022 7:30pm - American Kestrel Conservation: Successful Partnership, PGC and the Birding Community  - Dan Mummert, PGC, Wildlife Diversity Biologist In 2015, the American Kestrel was added to Pennsylvania’s list of species of conservation concern due to a loss of nearly half their population since the mid-1960’s throughout North America. In response, the PA Game Commission’s southeast region created a kestrel conservation initiative that is working to learn more about their local population and help in their conservation. This presentation will discuss this program and the team effort it has been between the PGC and the birding community.  

Feb 11, 2022 7:30 pm - Ecology of the Northern Clapper Rail - meeting by Zoom only

Elisa Elizondo, University of Delaware, Ph.D. candidate

It's spring! Time to head for the coastal marshes with hopes of glimpsing elusive clapper rails (Rallus crepitans crepitans). The Saltmarsh Habitat Avian Research Program (tidalmarshbirds.org) is 

dedicated to the study of salt marsh birds and recent efforts led by Lisa Elizondo seek to uncover more information regarding this secretive species. This program will include recent data from Delaware on clapper rail nesting ecology and movement patterns, including the first chick survival data and the first GPS tag data.

(Meeting Via Zoom Only)

Read some more about the Clapper Rail research.

 Photo: A GPS tagged Clapper Rail at the Delaware Woodland Beach Wildlife Area (Photo: Elisa Elizondo, University of Delaware)  

Video coming soon

 - Sheila Martin, 

BOC Vice-president

Five species of grouse inhabit the high chaparral, northern valleys & prairies of the US. All have spectacular mating displays, yet are exceedingly difficult to find away from their display grounds. Sheila traveled to observe these thrilling but elusive birds on their leks, plus scored two even more secretive winged denizens of the high-country West. She may even include a few surprises from onward travels this summer! This inaugural meeting of the 2022-23 season will include a social. Bring snacks to share. Drinks will be provided. Please minimize use of throw-away plastic.