Baird Ornithological Club  --  Reading, Pennsylvania

2011/2012

Updated 1/21/12
The purpose of the Club is to study birds and nature and through that study acquaint others with birds and the environment and to help preserve wildlife and promote conservation and retention of natural areas. 
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NEXT EVENT


  February 10, 2012          Friday    7:30 pm
“Spring Waterfowl and an Overview of Middle Creek” Join Gilbert Myers from Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area for this presentation. 

We meet at McConnell Hall, 
     Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center on PA-625 south of Reading, 2 miles south of PA-724.
Map showing location
CLUB INFORMATION

The regular meetings of the B.O.C. are held on the second Friday of every month from October through April with a dinner meeting in late April or May. The meetings begin at 7:30 P.M.  About 20 field trips are held throughout the year to different locations in the County and nearby areas to see birds and nature. These field trips are a good way to learn bird identification by sight and song. Members receive a newsletter, the Distelfink, three times a year.

Meetings are held at McConnell Hall, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center on PA-625 south of Reading, 2 miles south of PA-724. 

Membership is open to those of the public interested in birds and nature. Dues are $15/year. The BOC year is September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012. Download the dues form.  (16k)

Program and Field Trip listing here as PDF. The listing prints on 8-1/2 x 14 paper, There are two pages. 

For more info:   Matt Wlasniewski, president.  610-463-8845.

As always, all meetings and field trips are open and free to the public.
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Yearly Bird Sighting lists for Berks County, PA for 2000 to 2011 may be found at: 
 Berks County Bird List (Species seen) 2000-2011.
List for 2011 now available (Jan. 30, 2012.)
     Programs for 2011/2012    (Field Trips are listed below)
 Worldwide Birding October 14, 2011           Friday    7:30 pm
"Tales with Tails" Join the always entertaining Adrian Binns while he shares observations and stories laced with a sometimes-twisted but always generous sense of
humor—essential when it comes to leading worldwide birding tours. Meeting will be preceded by a 7 PM social hour. Bring refreshments to share. At McConnell Hall, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center on PA-625 south of Reading, (2 miles south of PA-724). 
November 11, 2011           Friday    7:30 pm
“Choosing Native Plants: Welcome Wildlife” Learn about landscaping your backyard for birds and butterflies from member Linda Ingram.
December 9, 2011           Friday    7:30 pm
“The Science of Sky Color” by Dr. Susan Marshall of Penn State - Berks. The program is illustrated with photographs of the sky and of classic paintings of the
phenomenon Joint meeting with the Mengel Natural History Society. 
January 13, 2012           Friday    7:30 pm
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary research biologist Dave Barber will present “Movement Ecology of Turkey Vultures”. Find out where your local Turkey Vultures go.

February 10, 2012          Friday    7:30 pm
“Spring Waterfowl and an Overview of Middle Creek” Join Gilbert Myers from Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area for this presentation. 
March 9, 2012            Friday    7:30 pm
"Member's Night" Several members will make brief presentations on a variety of topics. Bring refreshments to share. (Drinks provided). 
 Berks Botanist
 APRIL 13, 2012          Friday    7:30 pm
BOC Member Matt Spence will present a program on Berks Botanist Hans Wilkens. 
 BANQUET
 APRIL 20, 2012 - BANQUET - The Inn at Reading.   Friday
Arlene Koch of Easton, PA will present a program on her favorite bird species … hummingbirds.

 
(Field Trips)
September 10, 2011       Saturday 7:00 AM
“Hawk Mountain - Fall Warblers”  Meet at the North Lookout. Hike to North Lookout and back. Coordinator: Ken Lebo, 610-856-1413. Hawk Mountain charges a fee for the trail and lookouts.
September 17, 2011       Saturday    9:00 AM - 2 PM 
"Mount Penn Hawk Watch from the top of the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower"
Coordinator:  Bill Uhrich  610-373-8109
September 30 - October 2,  2011     Friday - Sunday
“Cape May/Stone Harbor/Wetlands Institute/Bivalve" Led by Rick Wiltrout and Linda Ingram. $25 Fee. Call in advance for details. Contact: Linda Ingram 610-796-3687
October 15, 2011       Saturday    9:00 AM - 2 PM   <----- NEW: ADDED WALK ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
"Mount Penn Hawk Watch from the top of the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower"
Coordinator:  Bill Uhrich  610-373-8109
October 22,  2011    8 AM   Saturday
"Angelica Park" Field Trip. Meet in the parking lot, off of Rte 10. Sign at entrance says Alvernia College. Coordinator: Susie Dillman, 610-451-6715.
November 6, 2011  7:00 AM     Sunday,
“Island Beach State Park, NJ”  Meet behind Michaelís Restaurant, near Rite-Aid in Douglassville. Coordinator: Patrick O'Donnell, 610-401-4020
December 4, 2011  8:00 AM     Sunday
“Conowingo Dam, MD" Meet at the old Pathmark/Giant parking lot, business Rt. 222, Shillington. Coordinator: Matt Wlasniewski, 610-562-7550.
December 18, 2011     Sunday
“Reading Christmas Bird Count”  Compiler: Ken Lebo, 610-856-1413.
December 26, 2011     Monday
“Elverson Christmas Bird Count”  Compiler: Bob Cook, 610-286-9919.
December 30, 2011     Friday
“Hamburg Christmas Bird Count”  Compiler: Laurie Goodrich, 570-943-3411 ext. 106.
Sunday,  December 31, 2011   Sunday
“Bernville Christmas Bird Count”  Compiler: Ed Barrel, 610-926-2962.
January 15, 2012    8:00 AM     Sunday
"Lake Ontelaunee" Kick off your year list with a winter walk. Meet at the dam breast along Rte. 73. Coordinator: Katrina Knight, 610-372-3671. 
February 11, 2012   5:30 PM  Saturday
"Owls" Meet in Morgantown Rite Aid parking lot (3145 Main St.) Coordinator: Matt Wlasniewski, 610-463-8845
March 4, 2012  8:00 AM     Sunday, 
“Beginning Birder Walk - Lake Ontelaunee - Waterfowl” Meet at the dam breast along Route 73.
Coordinator: Rudy Keller, 610-845-7310.
March 8, 2012    4 PM     Thursday
"Middle Creek WMA - Waterfowl"  Joint trip with Nolde Forest EEC - Transportation provided from Nolde Forest Sawmill Parking Lot or meet at the Middle Creek Visitor Center
Coordinator: Linda Ingram 610-796-3699
April 8, 2012    7:00 AM     Sunday
"Kernsville Dam"  Directions: Rte 61 north, right on Industrial Drive (across from Cabela's), right on Kernsville Dam Rd, Meet at the monument, approx. 50 feet ahead. Coordinator: Matt Wlasniewski, 610-463-8845
April 22, 2012    6:30 AM   Sunday
"Bombay Hook NWR - Waterfowl" Meet behind Michaelís Restaurant, near Rite-Aid in Douglassville.  Coordinator: Patrick O'Donnell, 610-401-4020
April 28, 2012    10:00 AM      Saturday
"Neversink Mountain Birds, Butterflies  &  Botany "Meet at S. 10th and South Streets, Reading, PA. Park on South St. Coordinators: Ken Lebo,  610-856-1413, Karl Gardner (610-987-3281), and Ryan Woolwine (610-777-2333). Joint walk with Mengel Natural History Society
April 29, 2012    8:00 AM     Sunday
"Antietam Lake & Earl Poole Preserve - Birds and Wildflowers" From Perkiomen Ave., Mt. Penn, turn onto Carsonia Ave. and drive to the end. Turn left and go 1/4 mile. Make first left onto Angora Road at the lake. Follow Angora Rd. past Hill Rd intersection. Turn into parking lot at the sharp corner.  Coordinator: Bill Uhrich 610-373-8109.
May 6, 2012    7:00 AM     Sunday
"State Game Lands #110, Shartlesville" Take Shartlesville Road north from the I-78 intersection. Turn left on Forge Dam Road at about 0.3 mile. At 1 mile turn left on Northkill Road and go 0.1 mile to parking lot on the right. We hope these directions are helpful. Coordinator: Kerry Grim. 610-562-4177.
May 12, 2012     (Saturday)
"North American Migration Count" Compiler: Matt Wlasniewski. 610-562-7550.
May 13, 2012     8:00 AM.     Sunday
"Gravely birding" The Baird Ornithological Club owes its existence to a number of great naturalists from the past. We will honor them with a tour of their grave sites. And because cemeteries make some of the best birding habitat, we'll also keep our eyes and ears open for migrants and nesters. Meet inside the main entrance of Charles Evans Cemetery, off of Centre Ave., Reading. Coordinator: Bill Uhrich, 610-373-8109
May 19, 2012   6:00 AM    Saturday 
"Big Day in May" Take part in an all day effort to see as many species as possible in Berks County. Meet at the Geigertown Post Office. Coordinator: Ken Lebo, 610-856-1413
June 17, 2012   6:30 AM     Sunday
"Lehigh Gap Nature Center" Meet at the Lake Ontelaunee dam breast for car pooling. Coordinator: Katrina Knight, 610-372-3671
July 14, 2012   7:30 PM      Saturday
"Moth Night" at Nolde Forest EEC on PA-625 3 miles south of PA-724. In conjunction with the Mengel Natural History Society. Meet in picnic area behind main parking lot ('bring your own' picnic starts at  at 6:30 pm). We will put up black lights and 'sugar' trees to attract moths and other insects. Bring flashlight. Coordinators: Ken Lebo,  610-856-1413 and Ryan Woolwine, 610-777-2333.
August 4, 2012   10:00 AM     Saturday
"Butterfly Walk" Meet at Lake Ontelaunee dam breast. Joint walk with the Mengel Natural History Society. Up to 22 species have been seen on this walk. Leaders: Ken Lebo,  610-856-1413, Karl Gardner 610-987-3281, and Ryan Woolwine (610-777-2333).
September 1, 2012   10:00 AM     Saturday
"Butterfly Walk" 10 AM. Meet at Old Mill Rd., Wyo. parking lot near old stone building  (From Reading Museum, go west on Museum Rd. to Old Mill Rd. about 1/2 mile, turn right on Old Mill Rd. about 1/2 mile. Park in gravel lot on left after building.) Joint walk with the Mengel Natural History Society.  Coordinators: Ken Lebo,  610-856-1413, Karl Gardner, 610-987-3281, and Ryan Woolwine (610-777-2333).
September 8, 2012   7 AM.        Saturday
"Hawk Mountain - Fall Warblers" Meet at the north lookout. Coordinator: Ken Lebo, 610-856-1413.
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Baird Ornithological Club
In 1921 Harold R. Morris named the bird club The Baird Ornithological Club. It was named for Spencer Fullerton Baird (1823-1887), the second secretary (director) of the Smithsonian Institution, who was born in Reading in 1823. Earl L. Poole was the first president of the Baird Ornithological Club from 1921-1946. He was also the assistant director of the Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery. Upon the retirement of Levi Mengel at the age of 70 in 1939, Earl Poole was appointed acting director of the museum.

The early meetings were very informal and were comprised of seven or eight birders. There were no planned programs, but general conversations about bird records usually led to chalk drawings and detailed explanations by Earl Poole.

     Return to Berks County Nature home page.