Berks County Nature

Updated
September 1, 2010
Calendar

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** Berks County Nature **
Now 8 years old!
Activities of Organizations in Berks County, Pennsylvania

This site contains information about programs, field trips, exhibits and organizations relating to natural history in and around Berks County, Pennsylvania. Programs and events are open to the public. . Mengel Natural History Society .To receive a monthly email notice of programs and field trips sponsored by the Mengel Natural History Society send an email request to

Mengel Natural History Society 2009-2010 Programs (4-4-10)	Baird Ornithological Club. 2009-2010 Programs (8-22-10)	Berks Mineralogical Society Site moving to a new host.
Butterflies seen in 2010 (77 species. Last addition 8-18-10) A RECORD FOR YEARS 2003-2010	Planetarium -Reading Public Museum	Lancaster Butterfly & Ent. Club
Butterfly Walks (2 remain) 2010	Reading Public Museum	Birds seen in 2009 (249 species)
Berks County Conservancy	Nolde Forest	Bird & butterfly sightings 2003-09
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary	Monocacy Hill Conservation Association	Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club
Pike -Oley-District Preservation Coalition	Berks County Amateur Astronomical Society	Blue Marsh Lake
Virtual Natural History Museum of Southeast Pennsylvania	*Orchids of Berks County, Pennsylvania* by Hans Wilkens A checklist published by the MNHSoc.	Pottstown Butterflies Berks County RECYCLE info
Muhlenberg Botanic Club	Thursday Botany Walks	Green Lane Nature Center

NEW link. berksawhile This site has photographs and comments on places in and near Berks County. It includes links to trail maps and driving directions for many of the nearby natural areas.

	Reading Planetarium (Click on "Show Schedule Public" on page left.) Star shows every Sunday in July (except July 4), August, and September 1 p.m. - "In My Backyard" 2 p.m. - "IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System" 3 p.m. - "Astronaut" Check the link for admission and other information. Free to Museum members.
	Mengel Natural History Society & Baird Ornithological Club Saturday, July 10, 2010 6:30 pm to ? Picnic and Moth Night at Nolde Environmental Edu Center. Bring a picnic dinner (or not) and enjoy the Katy-dids with friends and family as our leaders bait trees and hang sheets to bring in the night insects. A flashlight would be helpful. Who knows what will turn up. Meet at picnic area near Nolde Headquarters. That is to the right when facing the Mansion. Soft drinks will be provided. Leaders are Ryan Woolwine 610-777-2333 and Ken Lebo 610-856-1413. REPORT: About 20 people viewed over 25 moth species, mostly at the black lights. Some photos of what was seen at Nolde Moth Night 2010.
	Mengel Natural History Society & Baird Ornithological Club August 7, 2010 Saturday 10:00 am to ~noon FIELD TRIP "Butterfly Identification Walk" near Lake Ontelaunee. We will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. Meet at Dam Breast on RT-73. Leaders: Karl Gardner, 610-987-3281 and Ken Lebo, 610-856-1413. The public is welcome. Free. (Field trip report: 21 species seen. 42 Attend.)
	Thursday Botany Walks September 2, 2010 Thursday 2 - 4 pm Birdsboro Reservoir. Access is from the non-Birdsboro end due to the damaged bridge being closed. From Gibraltar (Rt 724 & Gibraltar Road) travel east about 1.6 mi and turn right. Cross the RR tracks and immediately turn left. In a few car lengths the road turns right and becomes Rock Hollow Road. Follow Rock Hollow Road about 3-1/2miles (crossing Cocalico Rd at ~2-1/2 mi.) and turn left at Hay Creek Road. Follow to gate and park. Walks are led by Dr. Susan Munch of Albright College. If possible, contact the leader at 610-921-7727, or 610-987=3538. Free.
	Union Twp August 28, 2010 Saturday 10 am to approximately 12 noon "Butterfly, Wildflower, and Bird Walk" led by Mike Slater. Union Township Boat Launch Parking Area east of Birdboro. Mike is President of the Muhlenberg Botanical Club. http://paplantings.blogspot.com/. Bring binoculars, water to drink, and insect repellent. A Union Township Boat Launch sign marks the entrance on Rt. 724 (E. Main Street), approx. 1 mi. east of Birdsboro. Left side going east. The access road is adjacent to Monty's Mulch. Enter at sign and bear right at the divide on gravel road, continue about 0.5 mi. to boat launch parking area. Call 610-796-3687 for more information
How many food calories in a gallon of gasoline?	FOOD to GASOLINE Most of us know how many food calories an adult needs per day, so in the debate over making ethanol from corn to replace gasoline, wouldn't it be nice to know how many food calories there are in a gallon of gasoline? Can you skip breakfast and drive to work on the energy you didn't eat? The answer is: the number of food calories in a gallon of gasoline is 31,500. For most adults this is the energy in about two weeks of food. YOU can calculate this. How to calculate page.

Butterfly Enthusiasts There is a small informal group of local butterfly collectors/observers in Berks Co. If you are interested in butterflies and would like to meet this group, contact

. You are also invited to the butterfly walks found at the link at the top of the page.

You may contact the web master at the above address.

Other Local Sources for Natural History Activities The Weekend section of the Thursday issue of the Reading Eagle includes a "To Do" list which includes natural history activities.
Jack's Backyard, hosted by Jack Holcomb, on Saturdays at 8 to 10 am on WEEU, 830 AM, announces natural history activities at 8 am followed by 2 hours of call-ins and interviews about natural history.

Berks County Nature was created January 29, 2002.