LEHIGH VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY

2008-2009 ACTIVITIES

Regular birding and occasional other natural history field trips are held throughout the year. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. All programs and field trips are free unless otherwise specified.  Non-members are welcome.
 

Field Trip Information

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.

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

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

 

Evening Program Information

Programs take place on the second Tuesday of the month, Sept. - Oct. and Jan. - April at 7:30 PM and generally run an hour to an hour and a half. Doors open early for refreshments and bird chat.

Except for the October program, the location for all evening programs is the Education Center at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary of the Wildlands Conservancy in Emmaus. To reach the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, from the intersection of I-78 (Rt. 309) and Cedar Crest Blvd. (Rt. 29), go south on Cedar Crest for 1.4 miles. Turn left at the light on Riverbend Road. Stay on this road for 0.8 miles. Turn right on Orchid Place and go down the hill, about 0.3 miles. A white wooden bridge over the stream on your right brings you into the Pool Sanctuary parking lot. The Education Center is the building behind the barn. There is handicap parking at the Education. Center Bldg. All others, please park in the main parking lot (to the left over the bridge) and walk to the Ed Center.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

2008

Saturday, 8/16/08, 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, cold drinks, insect repellent & sun protection. Leader: Peter Saenger (610-682-2401)

Saturday, 9/6/08, 7:30 AM.  Bird walk at Whitehall Parkway, a great spot in Whitehall Twp.  Fall migrants are a great way to challenge and improve your birding identification skills. Meet at the Whitehall Parkway in the Church Street parking lot at the barn. Leader: Ted Fritzinger  (610-434-0346)

Tuesday, 9/9/08, 7:30 PM. Meeting with a PROGRAM by Sue Tantsits, co-owner, Edge of the Woods Nursery, on “Redefining Natives & Tips for Fall Planting”. How do native plants relate to the environment?  What does it really mean for a plant to be native? Ms. Tantsits reminds us how our natural world and its inhabitants are affected by each other.

Saturday, 9/13/08, 8:00 AM.  Birding trip to Franco Farms on South Mountain in Salisbury Twp., a new location for LVAS trips at a good time for fall migrants.  Leader: Jon Levin (610-366-9996)

SUNDAY, 10/5/08, 8:00 AM.   Birding trip to Scotts Mtn. Hawkwatch at the Merrill Creek Reservoir in NJ.  A good time for Sharpies and Cooper's Hawks, with Merlin and Peregrine possible—also a good time for spectacular fall foliage.  Meet at the Park & Ride at William Penn Highway exit of Rt. 33 just south of Rt. 22.   Leader: Dave DeReamus (610-252-0893)

Tuesday, 10/14/08.  NOTE: Location of  program is the Macungie Institute Auditorium, 510 E. Main St., Macungie. Program starts 7:00 PM; doors open 6:30 PM. Presentation by Michael P. Gadomski, photographer and co-author of “Wild Pennsylvania”. Please join us and Wildlands Conservancy for a special presentation that combines narration and stunning photography taking viewers on a journey through the wild and natural areas across the state of Pennsylvania. The film presents over 400 photographs, many not found in the book. Copies of Mr. Gadomski’s book, greeting cards and photographic prints will be available for sale.   ***In lieu of admission, a goodwill offering of non-perishable grocery foods and/or pet food to be given to a local charity/animal shelter is appreciated.****

Saturday, 10/25/08, 7:30 AM. Birding trip to some good local, lesser known spots.  Leader:  Mark Boyd  (610-432-0170)

Tuesday, 11/11/08, 7:30 PM. Meeting with a PROGRAM by Peggy Sue Hentz, Director, Red Creek Wildlife Center.  RCWC specializes in the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. Visit up close and personal with LIVE raptors and better understand the affect we have on wildlife and how we can live in harmony with nature.

Saturday, 11/29/08, 8:30 AM. Birding trip to Green Lane for waterfowl and gulls. Leader:  Mark Boyd (610-432-0170)

Saturday, 12/6/08, 9:00 AM.  Birding trip to Conowingo Dam in MD to look for gulls and at the many Bald Eagles which regularly winter at this site.   Leader: Jon Levin (610-466-9996)

Saturday, 12/20/08, All Day.  Allentown Christmas Bird Count. Contact your group leader from last year or call Mark Boyd  for more information at 610-432-0170. 

SUNDAY, 12/21/08, All Day. Wild Creek/Little Gap Christmas Bird Count. Contact your group leader from last year or call Josh Nemeth for information at 610-573-8577 or email: allroy1313@rcn.com.

Saturday, 12/27/08, All Day. Bethlehem-Easton-Hellertown Christmas Bird Count.  Contact your group leader from last year or call Don and Elaine Mease for information at 610-346-7754.

 

2009

Tuesday 1/13/09, 7:30 PM. Meeting with a PROGRAM by Link Davis about the most dominant form of life on earth…INSECTS!  Appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of insects by seeing them up close as Mr. Davis will be showing approximately 400 real specimens.  Bring the kids and get ready to be amazed!

Saturday, 1/24/09, 8:00 AM. Birding trip to the NJ shore for waterfowl. Dress warm—it is windy at the shore. Bring lunch & something hot to drink.  Leader: Mark Boyd  (610-432-0170)

Tuesday, 2/10/09, 7:30 PM. Meeting with a PROGRAM  by Dan Kunkle, Director of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. Mr. Kunkle will discuss the experimental native plant/habitat gardens of the Osprey House and their impact on wildlife, emphasizing what  homeowners can do to improve habitat for native wildlife, especially birds. He will also update us on progress with ecological restoration at Lehigh Gap.

Saturday, 2/28/09, 8:00 AM. Birding trip to the NJ shore for waterfowl. Dress warm—it is windy at the shore. Bring lunch and something hot to drink.  Leader: Mark Boyd  (610-432-0170)

Tuesday 3/10/09, 7:30 PM.  Meeting with a PROGRAM by Joyce Hinnefeld, Associate Professor of English at Moravian College, and author of the novel In Hovering Flight - a story about  fragile eco-systems and tenacious human relationships with characters inspired by the lives and songs of birds. Dr. Hinnefeld will read brief excerpts from her novel and speak about the process of researching and writing In Hovering Flight.

Saturday, 3/28/09, 8:30 AM. Birding trip to Green Lane for waterfowl and other wetland birds.
Leader: Mark Boyd (610-432-0170)

Tuesday, 4/14/09, 7:30 PM. Meeting with a PROGRAM by Alliance for Sustainable Communities:Lehigh Valley on “Lehigh Valley’s Response to Climate Instability”.  The unprecedented climate instabilities require unprecedented responses in the hope of overcoming some of the worst consequences. The Alliance will present their visions and plans for a regional sustainable energy center that will deal with all forms of energy.

Saturday, 4/25/09, 7:30 AM. Birding and nature walk to Great Swamp NWR in NJ for waterfowl, raptors, migrants and herps. Meet at the Park & Ride lot, at William Penn Highway exit of Rt. 33. 
Leader: Mark Boyd  (610-432-0170)

Saturday, 4/25/09, 5:00 PM. Birding trip to Sand Island along the Lehigh River in Bethlehem. An afternoon bird walk for those who like to sleep in. Meet at the Sears parking lot on Rt. 191 just south of Rt. 22.  Leader: Karen Dolan (610-317-1618).

SUNDAY, 4/26/09, 7:30 AM. Birding trip to the Bethlehem Boat Club area of the Lehigh Canal for early migrants and, hopefully, Yellow-throated Warbler, which breeds in the area. Meet at the Park & Ride lot at the William Penn Hwy. exit of Rt.  33.   Leader: Dave DeReamus (610-252-0893)

SUNDAY, 4/26/09, 2:00 PM. Beginner's bird walk at Jacobsburg State Park.  A special event for novice bird watchers, with emphasis on identifying the common birds of the area. KIDS are especially welcome—there will be a kid leader just for them; however, children 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Henry's Woods parking lot.  Leaders: Dennis Miller (610-759-7514)  and Corey Husic (610-381-4868) for the kids.

SUNDAY, 5/3/09, 7:30 AM. Bird walk through Jacobsburg State Park. A great spot to visit for all sorts of birds in a variety of habitats. Meet at the Henry's Woods parking lot at the park.    Leader: Kathy Sieminski (610-588-7017)

Saturday, 5/9/09, 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, 5/10/09, 7:30 AM.  Bird walk through Monocacy Nature Center in Bethlehem.  This is a premier place to find migrants. Meet at the Illicks Mill Rd. parking lot. Leader:  Adam Smith (610-462-2528)

Saturday, 5/16/09, 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. Some uphill walking is involved. Leader: Fritz Brock (610-797-2675)

SUNDAY, 5/17/09, 7:00 AM. Birding trip to either Green Pond for waterbirds & shorebirds or Lehigh Canal Towpath near Freemansburg for migrants & local breeding birds, whichever has better potential at the time. Meet at the Park & Ride lot at the Wm. Penn Hwy. Exit of Rte. 33.  Leader Dave DeReamus (610-252-0893)

SUNDAY, 5/24/09. Meet *6:30 AM at the Red Robin in West Allentown or *7:00 AM at the Osprey House.  Birding trip to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center at the Lehigh River Gap through various habitats including ponds, woods, and scrub brush on the side of the Blue Mountain. KIDS are encouraged. Leader: Corey Husic (610-381-4868)

Saturday, 5/30. A canoe trip down the Lehigh River from Bethlehem to Easton. Canoes will be furnished. Registration is required 10 days in advance. There is a $20 per person charge. Trip will be cancelled in the event of bad weather and money will be refunded. Call Karen Dolan for details: 610-317-1618.

 

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Annual members-only picnic in June, 3:00-6:00 PM. This is a members-only social event! Join us for great food and desserts, great birding stories and, of course, a bird walk. Watch the newsletter for details or call Barbara Bolle (610-282-1116) after March 1 for more information.

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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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