BOC's Facebook Group

We welcome everyone who is interested in birding in Berks County, Pennsylvania and nearby areas to join the discussions.

Ruby-throated hummingbird at Mike and Jan Slater's bird feeder.

 Photo by Mike Slater

 Hawk Mountain is honored to partner with birdwatchers and ornithologists across the state to launch the third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas. The first step will be to hire a Bird Atlas Project Coordinator who will work closely with a Steering Committee. A top goal will be to include the first surveys of wintering birds in addition to breeding birds. 

This five-year project is funded by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and will be headquartered at the Acopian Center. First, the coordinator will develop survey protocols and outreach materials for the public and birding communities, and then promote the Atlas and recruit volunteers, with surveying to begin in 2024. 

An immature Glaucous Gull at Blue Marsh Lake, 

Berks County, PA. 

Photo by Mike Slater

PSO = PA Birds

An immature Glaucous Gull at Blue Marsh Lake, 

Berks County, PA. 

Photo by Mike Slater

eBird

Berks County's eBird summary

eBird Rare Bird Alert for PA, Last 7 days

• Helpful hints on writing descriptions for rare or unusual birds on e-bird by Lauren Harter at the blog "Phainopepla Fables" 3/21/2014 

• Links to the Four letter Alpha codes you can use for eBird Entry. Explanation

Report a banded Bird

Pink-footed goose at Oley, PA. February 2020. 

Photo by Mike Slater

ABA

The American Birding Association inspires all people to enjoy and protect wild birds.

The American Birding Association represents the North American birding community and supports birders through publications, conferences, workshops, tours, partnerships, and networks.

The ABA’s education programs promote birding skills, ornithological knowledge, and the development of a conservation ethic.

The ABA encourages birders to apply their skills to help conserve birds and their habitats, and we represent the interests of birders in planning and legislative arenas.

We welcome all birders as members.

Concern for the welfare of birds lies at the core of ABA and touches everything we do. ABA has developed a code of ethics for birding, provided here in multiple formats for you to download. The ABA encourages all birders to print and follow these guidelines to preserve the welfare of wild birds and the integrity of birding.

Royal Tern, 08-24-2020 Port Mahon Delaware,

Photo by Mike Slater

ABA Check list of Birds

Including discussions of the ABA list and the AOS list too. 

AOS (formerly AOU) Checklist of Birds

 The American Ornithological Society's (AOS) Checklist is the official source on the taxonomy of birds found in North and Middle America, including adjacent islands. This list is produced by the North American Classification and Nomenclature Committee (NACC) of the AOS. 

Royal Tern, 08-24-2020 Port Mahon Delaware,

Photo by Mike Slater

Birdcast is Run by Cornell's Laboratory of Ornithology

Bird Migration News

Bird migration tools including forecast maps

Birds of the World is run by Cornell's Laboratory of Ornithology

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 09-01-2020 Maxatawny Twp. Berks County, PA

Photo by mike Slater

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on the Kittatinny Ridge along the border between Berks and Schuylkill Counties in Eastern Pennsylvania was the worlds fir refuge for raptors.

Birdlife International

Green & gold Tanagers, Copalinga Preserve, Ecuador. Photo by Mike Slater

Island Conservation  

Laysan Albatross nesting on Oahu Hawaii. Photo by Mike Slater