LVAS activities

LEHIGH VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY

2012-2013 ACTIVITIES

General Information

All programs and field trips are free unless otherwise specified. Non-members are welcome.

Field Trip Details

Bird watching and other trips leave from the Tilghman Square parking lot on Tilghman St. in Allentown, just west of Rt. 309 (in the area between Staples and Red Robin - - closer to Red Robin) unless otherwise noted.

Trips leave promptly - please arrive on time.

Most bird watching trips last two to four hours.
Bring binoculars and a field guide.
Dress according to the weather and be prepared for changes. Wear appropriate footgear. Also prepare yourself with mosquito & tick repellent and sunscreen in the warm seasons.
Pack refreshments and/or lunch, as we do not normally stop to purchase meals.
Car pooling is encouraged and coordinated at the meeting location on the day of the trip. If you are willing to drive, please arrive with a full tank of gas and tell the trip leader. If you are a passenger, please plan to share costs (gas & tolls) of the ride with the driver.

For questions concerning a specific trip, contact the trip leader. Watch your email, our website, and our Facebook page for notice on changes and additional impromptu walks.

Directions to many of the locations listed below can be found in Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity.

Evening Program Details

General Membership meetings are held as Educational Programs and take place the 2nd Friday of the month (not Tuesdays as in the recent past), Sept. thru Nov. and Jan. thru April. They start at 7:00 PM and generally run about an hour. Doors open early for refreshments and bird chat.

All programs for the 2012-2013 season are at the Wildlands Conservancy Education Center Building in Emmaus: 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus 18049, 610-965-4397. www.wildlandspa.org

Directions: From the Cedar Crest Blvd. exit of I-78, follow Cedar Crest (Rt.29) south 1.3 mi. to the stoplight at the intersection of Riverbend Rd. Turn left onto Riverbend Rd. and proceed 0.8 mi. Take the first right turn onto Orchid Place and proceed 0.3 mi. down the hill. Turn right onto the bridge and cross the bridge into the Sanctuary.

Parking: The Education. Center is behind the barn. There is handicap parking at the Ed. Center. All others, please park in the main parking lot (to the left over the bridge) and walk up the lighted path to the Ed Center.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

2012

Saturday, 8/4, 7:30 AM: Birding trip to Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware, about 2-1/2 hours from Allentown. A great spot for shorebirds. This is an all day trip so bring lunch, drinks, insect repellent, and sun protection. Leader: Peter Saenger (610-682-2401)

Saturday, 9/1, 7:30 AM: Bird walk at Whitehall Parkway. Fall migrants are a great way to challenge and improve your birding identification skills. Meet at Whitehall Parkway in the Chestnut St. parking lot at the barn (west off Rte. 145). Leader: Adam Smith (610-462-2528)

Saturday, 9/8, 8:00 AM: Bird walk to Franko Farm Park in Salisbury Twp. Meet at the Franko Farm parking lot on Black River Road.
Leader: Jon Levin (610-366-9996)

Friday, 9/14, 7:00 PM PROGRAM: “Basics in Raptor Identification and Ongoing Projects At Hawk Mountain.” Join us as Dr. J. F. Therrien, Senior Research Biologist at Hawk Mountain, reviews basic aspects of raptor identification and some recent projects at Hawk Mountain.

Saturday, 9/22, 7:30 AM: Bird walk to Trexler Park in Allentown for fall migrants. Meet at the parking lot on Springhouse Road.
Leader: Bob Hoopes (610-799-2346)

Sunday, 9/30, 7:30 AM: Birding trip to Scotts Mtn. hawkwatch at Merrill Creek Reservoir in NJ. A good time for many species of raptors and migrants. Meet at the Park & Ride at William Penn Highway exit of Rt. 33 just south of Rt. 22. Leader: Dave DeReamus (610-252-0893)

Saturday, 10/6, 7:30 AM: Birding trip to some good local parks. Leader: Mark Boyd (610-657-9401)

Friday, 10/12, 7:00 PM PROGRAM: “Vocal Communication in Southern Flying Squirrels.” Come meet Dr. Howard (Sandy) Whidden, Professor of Biology at East Stroudsburg University, and learn about his research with these fascinating animals.

Saturday, 10/20, 7:30 AM: Hawk watching trip. Location to be determined. Leader: Mark Boyd (610-657-9401)

Friday, 11/9, 7:00 PM PROGRAM: Red Creek Wildlife Center (RCWC) Live Owl Program. RCWC is a premier wildlife rehabilitation facility in NE PA. Meet owls up close and personal as the Director, Peggy Sue Hentz, speaks about the owls of Pennsylvania. Bring the kids and bring your camera!

Saturday, 11/24: Birding trip to the NJ Shore for waterfowl. Meet at 7:00 AM at the Red Robin in West Allentown or call Mark if you would like to meet at the Park & Ride lot at Rte. 33 & William Penn Hwy. Leader: Mark Boyd (610-657-9401)

Saturday, 12/15, All Day: Allentown Christmas Bird Count. Contact your group leader from last year or call Mark Boyd for more info at 610-657-9401.

Sunday, 12/23, All Day: Wild Creek/Little Gap Christmas Bird Count. Contact your group leader from last year or call Josh Nemeth for info at 610-573-8577 or email: allroy1313@rcn.com.

Saturday, 12/29, All Day: Bethlehem-Easton-Hellertown Christmas Bird Count. Contact your group leader from last year or call Don & Elaine Mease for info at 610-346-7754.

2013

Friday, 1/11, 7:00 PM PROGRAM: Dr. Terry Master, Professor of Biology at East Stroudsburg University, will present a program on his research on the importance of riparian birds as bioindicators of riparian ecosystem health: “Riparian Songbirds: Canaries in an Aquatic Coal Mine.”

Saturday, 1/26: Birding trip to several waterfowl hotspots in nearby NJ, including a stop at Oberly Road in Alpha, NJ, for grassland birds. Meet at 7:00 AM at the Red Robin in West Allentown or call Mark if you would like to meet at the Park & Ride lot at Rte. 33 & William Penn Hwy. Leader: Mark Boyd (610-657-9401)

Friday, 2/8, 7:00 PM PROGRAM: “From Bluebirds to Barn Owls-A Complete Lesson on Nest Boxes—Including Construction, Husbandry, and a Primer on Species.” This program is presented by Scott Burnet, who has been building and monitoring nest boxes in three counties for over 35 years.

Saturday, 2/23: Birding trip to the NJ shore for waterfowl. Bring lunch and something warm to drink. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Red Robin in West Allentown or call Mark if you would like to meet at the Park & Ride lot at Rte. 33 & William Penn Hwy. Leader: Mark Boyd (610-657-9401)

Friday, 3/08, 7:00 PM PROGRAM: Join us as Andy Curtis speaks about the importance of vernal pools and their significance for the many reptile and amphibian species of our area.

Saturday, 3/16, 8:30 AM: Birding trip to Green Lane for waterfowl. Leader: Mark Boyd (610-657-9401)

Friday, 4/12, 7:00 PM PROGRAM: “Gardening for Migration.” Come meet LVAS’s own Barbara Malt as she shares with us the importance of using native plant choices that will entice birds, butterflies and other species to our yards and community.

Saturday 4/20, 7:30 AM: Birding Trip to East Bangor Dam, which provides excellent habitat for waterfowl, marsh birds, and early migrants. Meet at the GIANT parking lot in Wind Gap just north of the Rte. 512 exit off Rt. 33. Note: Rain Date: Sunday 4/21. Leader: Dave DeReamus (610-252-0893)

Saturday, 4/27, 7:00 AM: Birding and nature walk to Great Swamp NWR in NJ. Meet at the Park & Ride lot at at Rte. 33 & William Penn Hwy. Leader: Mark Boyd (610-657-9401)

Saturday, 4/27, 8:00 AM: Beginner’s bird walk at Monocacy Nature Center in Bethlehem. Meet at the Illicks Mill Rd. parking lot. Leader: Sue Mahan (610-868-0790)

Sunday, 4/28, 7:30 AM: Bird walk to the Bethlehem Boat Club area of the Lehigh Canal for early migrants and, hopefully, Yellow-throated Warbler. Meet at the Park & Ride lot at the William Penn Hwy. exit of Rt. 33. Leader: Dave DeReamus (610-252-0893)

Sunday, 4/28, 4:30 PM: An afternoon walk for novice birders at Jacobsburg State Park with emphasis on viewing common birds, insects and plants. KIDS are encouraged. However, 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Henry's Woods parking lot.
Leader: Corey Husic (610-381-4868)

Saturday, 5/4, 7:30 AM: Birding trip to the Trexler Nature Preserve, an excellent birding location near the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Leader: Jon Levin (610-366-9996)

Sunday, 5/5, 7:30 AM: Bird walk through Jacobsburg State Park, a great spot to visit for many birds in a variety of habitats. Meet at the Henry's Woods parking lot at the park. Leader: Bob Hoopes (610-799-2346)

Saturday, 5/11, 7:30 AM: Bird walk through Jordan Creek Parkway, an excellent birding spot in Whitehall Twp. Meet at the tennis courts parking lot off Lehnert Rd./Scherersville Rd. Leader: Alan Jennings (610-439-0879)

Sunday, 5/12, 7:30 AM: Bird walk through Monocacy Nature Center in Bethlehem, a premier place to find migrants. Meet at the Illicks Mill Rd. parking lot. Leader: To be announced.

Saturday, 5/18, 6:30 AM: Birding trip to Leaser Lake, a favorite local birding spot which offers a wealth of nesting species difficult to find elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley. This is a drive and bird trip and some uphill walking is involved. Leader: Fritz Brock (610-797-2675)

Sunday, 5/19, 7:00 AM: Birding trip to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center through various habitats on the side of the Blue Mountain. Meet at the Osprey House at Lehigh Gap Nature Center. Leader: Corey Husic (610-381-4868)

Saturday 5/25, 6:30 AM: Birding trip to Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, a great spot in the southern Poconos to find the many nesting species of this beautiful area. Leader: Adam Smith (610-462-2528)

Saturday, 6/1, 6:30 AM: Birding trip to the Delaware Water Gap for warblers and other nesting species. Time permitting, the trip may also include stops at Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Stroudsmoor Inn, and the Portland Eagle Nest. Meet at the KMART parking lot in Wind Gap. Take the 512 Exit off Route 33 and go east on 512 one stoplight after the exit. Kmart is to the left. Leader: Terry Master (610-248-8275)

Saturday, 7/20, 11:00 AM: Butterfly walk to Jacobsburg State Park. We will also look for birds, wildflowers and other creatures in the park. Meet at the Henry’s Woods parking lot at the park. Leader: Corey Husic (610-381-4868)

ANNUAL MEMBERS’ PICNIC: A Members Only social event! Join us for great food and desserts, birding stories and, of course, a bird walk. The picnic is usually held in June. Watch your newsletter or call Betty Abrams (610-821-4983) for details.

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Board meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, August through May, in the Biology Conference Room of the New Science Building at Muhlenberg College. All members are welcome. Anyone interested in getting involved or joining a committee may contact any officer, board member, or committee chair, or attend one of our meetings.

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