Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society
Meetings and Activities
September 2008-August 2009
More programs and field trip will be added. Check back periodically to see what's new.
The Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society sponsors a variety of programs and activities throughout the year from September through August. For more information, click on the activity.
Our regular membership meetings are held on the third Monday of September, October, November, January, February, March, and April. All meetings will be held at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Road, Dallas, at 7:00 pm. Our meeting room is easily accessed at the rear of the church. Everyone, members and nonmembers, young and old, is invited to attend.
Directions to Trinity Presbyterian Church
From Wilkes-Barre and Points South of Dallas:
Take Route 309 North (the North Cross Valley Expressway) to the Dallas Shopping Center. Just past the entrance to the Shopping Center, bear RIGHT to remain on Route 309 North toward Tunkhannock. At the first traffic light (near the Dallas High School), turn LEFT onto Center Hill Road. At the first STOP sign (4-way), turn RIGHT onto Church Street. At the next STOP sign, continue straight onto Irem Road. The church will be on the left just past the STOP sign. Park at the rear of the church and enter through the back doors.
From Harveys Lake and Vicinity:
Follow Route 415 South to the intersection with Center Hill Road at Pickett's Charge restaurant. At the traffic light, turn LEFT onto Center Hill Road. At the second STOP sign (4-way), turn LEFT onto Church Street. At the next STOP sign, continue straight onto Irem Road. The Trinity Presbyterian Church will be on the left just past the second STOP sign. Park at the rear of the church and enter through the back doors.
From Noxen and Points North:
Follow Route 309 South past the Frontier offices on the right. At the traffic light by Dallas High School, turn RIGHT onto Center Hill Road. At the first STOP sign (4-way), turn RIGHT onto Church Street. At the next STOP sign continue straight onto Irem Road. The Trinity Presbyterian Church will be on the left just past the STOP sign. Park at the rear of the church and enter through the back doors.
Click on the program for a description.
October 20 Hawk Identification
November 17 History of Pennsylvania's Parks and Forests
NO MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN DECEMBER
January 19 Members' Night + Bonus Program
February 16 For the Birds: The Art of Illustrated Field Guides
March 16 Wildflowers of Northeastern Pennsylvania
April 20 Invasive Insect Pests of PA & Songs of the Thrushes
Wednesday, June 17 Annual Banquet Eagles
There are no regular membership meetings in May, June, July, and August.
Enjoy winter visitors outside your windows while you help their cause and ours. Order your winter's supply of birdseed, and pick it up on the specified date. Contact the GWVAS for ordering information.
First Birdseed Sale
Orders due by September 28, 2008
Pickup
Friday, October 10 from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 11 from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
and
Sunday, October 12 from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wild Birds Unlimited
Dallas Shopping Center
Click here for an Order Form
Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas PA
Second Birdseed Sale: TBA
Wild Birds Unlimited
Dallas Shopping Center
Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas PA
Anyone may join us for field trips. You may choose to drive your own car, or you may carpool. The length of some trips may depend upon the weather and the individual interests of the participants.
**Please note that all field trip dates, meeting places, and meeting times are subject to change. In addition, preregistration is required for all trips unless specified otherwise. If you are interested in a particular field trip, please Contact the GWVAS, at least two weeks in advance, and include the Field Trip Name/Date in the "Subject" section to ensure that the message will be read and forwarded to the trip leader.
Click on the Field Trip for information.
Fourth Sunday of Each Month: Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
Select Saturdays, Birding in Frances Slocum State Park
Saturday, October 11 Photography Workshop
Saturday, October 25 Hawk Watch at Council Cup
Saturday, November 22 Wyoming County Waterfowl
Saturday, March 14 Luzerne County Waterfowl
Saturday, May 9 North American Spring Migration Count
Saturday, June 6 Birding along the Susquehanna Warrior Trail
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Saturday, May 9 North American Spring Migration Count
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Monthly Meeting Programs
Directions to Dallas United Methodist Church: At the traffic light in the middle of Dallas, turn onto Church Street. Part way up the hill, you will see the church on your left. Enter the doorway in the back of the church.
Birdscaping
Presenter:Steve Saffier, Audubon Pennsylvania's Coordinator of the
Audubon at Home program
Steve will discuss the significance of landowners' properties as critical habitat and how to best care for our yards, fields, and forests for the betterment of the entire ecosystem. Steve's program will include a discussion about the rewards of gardening with native plants and inviting life into lifeless yards.
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Hawk Identification
Presenters: Joe and Rebecca Lesko
Learn to identify a flying falcon from a eagle or from a Cooper's hawk with this Powerpoint presentation and discussion.
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History of Pennsylvania's Parks and Forests
Presenter: Marci Mowery, President
Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation
Learn some of the history of Pennsylvania's parks and forests, including the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps, how the Commonwealth recovered from being known as the Pennsylvania desert, and a fun look at how we now have one of the largest park systems in the United States.
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NO MEMBERSHIP MEETING
IN DECEMBER
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Members' Night
Have you caught an interesting bird or animal on film? Do you have a favorite poem about nature? Bring your poems, photos, short videos, slides, and anything else you would like to share with the group.
Oh, you have nothing to share tonight? Join us to see what others will bring to the evening.
Bonus Program
Avondale: Past, Present, Future
Presenter: Eric Bella
For several years this Lake Lehman High School senior and young historian has been studying local coal mining history, including the Avondale Mine Disaster. Tonight he will present his research, which he also presented this past summer at the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference in State College.
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For the Birds: The Art of Illustrated Field Guides
Presenter: Mary Belle Gilroy
Mary Belle teaches art at Lackawanna Trail High School. While pursuing her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration at Marywood University, she focused on the illustrations of John James Audubon, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, Roger Tory Peterson, Arthur Singer and David Allen Sibley. Her program will highlight each of these artist's unique contributions to the study of birds.
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Wildflowers of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Common and Rare
Plants of Our Area
Presenter: Gerry and Len Janus
March winds bring April showers, and April showers bring May flowers. Those flowers will be popping up before we know it. Join us to learn how to identify and how to use some of our common and not so common wildflowers in this program that is sure to get everyone in the mood for spring.
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Double-header Program
Part I
Invasive Insect Pests of Pennsylvania
Presenter:Kim Carlen, EAB Education Coordinator, Penn State Cooperative Extension
Kim will discuss invasive insect pests, with an emphasis on the emerald ash borer, its signs and symptoms of infestation, and how to stop its spread.
Part II
Songs of the Thrushes
Presenter: Allen Togut, GWVAS Vice President
Allen will discuss, with auditory and visual examples, sound generation and dueting in thrushes, focusing on the American robin, the wood thrush, the hermit thrush, and the veery.
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NO MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN MAY
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**Annual Banquet**
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Eagles
Presenters: Susan Gallagher, Chief Naturalist; and Franklin Klock, Naturalist
Carbon County Environmental Education Center
Learn about the feeding habits, migratory movements, life histories, and survival problems of bald and golden eagles from our presenters and their assistants: LIVE EAGLES!
More information will follow, but mark your calendar NOW!
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There are no regular membership meetings in May, June, July, and August.
See you in the field!
Field Trips
**Please note that all field trip dates, meeting places, and meeting times are subject to change. In addition, preregistration is required for all trips unless specified otherwise. If you are interested in a particular field trip, please Contact the GWVAS, and include the Field Trip Name/Date in the "Subject" section to ensure that the message will be read and forwarded to the trip leader.
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
(Click on the title for a list of the species we've seen.)
Fourth Sunday of Each Month
(Preregistration is not required.)
Kirby Park Natural Area Parking Lot Beneath the Market Street Bridge on the Kingston Side of the River
8:00 am
Leader: Bob Wasilewski
Now in our eleventh year of Sunday Morning bird walks in the Kirby Park Natural Area, we have tallied more than150 species since we began these monthly outings in January of 1998. We meet in Nesbitt Park, which is located on the upstream side of the Market Street Bridge on the Kingston side of the river. You can also park in the lot of the former Kings Department Store and Reilly's Classic Car Museum near the intersection of Market Street and Dawes Avenue, Kingston. Join us on the fourth Sunday at 8:00 am for these excursions into the wilds of the Kirby Park Natural Area in search of resident, wintering, and migrating birds.
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Birding at Frances Slocum State Park
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Cost: FREE
Join Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited, as he leads us on a leisurely stroll through the park to seek out beautiful song birds. We'll meet in the parking lot at the Environmental Education Center and boat rental. Bring your binoculars and have fun looking and listening for birds. This walk is great for beginners to expert level or anyone who just wants to enjoy the outdoors.
Please note that more dates will be added in the New Year. For more information, click on the link.
Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas PA
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Saturday September 20
Birding at Frances Slocum State Park
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Sunday, September 28
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Photography Workshop
Leader: Jim Hoyson
Houck Sanctuary, 8:30 am
Learn techniques of outdoor photography from a local master in this hands-on workshop.
To register, or for more information, Contact the GWVAS.
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Hawk Watch at Council Cup Scenic Overlook
Leader: Mark Blauer
Parking lot for Council Cup Scenic Overlook; 9:00 am
Directions: I-81 to PA 93 West (I think it's west -- just turn left toward Conyngham from exit ramp), to PA 239. Turn right onto PA 239. Follow Rt. 239, which at times is winding with strange turns. At bottom of winding hill bear right at stop sign. Rt. 239 begins to follow along the Susquehanna River. Turn right at abandoned gas station and look for signs to PPL's Council Cup Scenic Overlook.
Search the skies for various migrating and resident birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, falcons, and ospreys.
To register, or for more information, Contact the GWVAS.
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Saturday, October 25
Birding at Frances Slocum State Park
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Sunday, October 26
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Saturday, November 15
Birding at Frances Slocum State Park
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Waterfowl in Wyoming County
Leader: Joe DeMarco
8:00 am at the WalMart parking lot on Route 29S in
Tunkhannock
Visit some of the local lakes, ponds, and the Susquehanna River in Wyoming County to search for southbound migrants and wintering duck and geese. The trip will be held rain or shine.
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Sunday, November 23
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Dallas Area (Luzerne County)
Saturday, December 14
Coordinator: Jim Hoyson
Bloomsburg Area
Saturday, December 14
Contact Bob and Nancy Houck
Tunkhannock Area (Wyoming County)
Saturday, December 20
Coordinator: Rick Koval
Southeast Bradford County
Sunday, December 27
Coordinator:Trudy Gerlach
Help us count all of the bird species and individuals of each species that we can find in a 24-hour period within a 7.5 mile radius of a specific location. Join us in the early morning hours to tally owls, or meet us later to look for daytime birds. This annual international event is a great opportunity to see new bird species.
To register, or for more information, Contact the GWVAS.
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Sunday, December 28
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Sunday, January 25
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Sunday,February 28
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Waterfowl in the Back Mountain of Luzerne County
Leader: Sandy Goodwin
Dallas United Methodist Church, 8:00 am
Visit some of the local lakes and ponds to search for migrating ducks and other interesting avian visitors. Bring a snack/lunch, binoculars, spotting scopes, and field guides.
To register, or for more information, Contact the GWVAS.
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Sunday, March 29
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Spring Birding along Vosburg Road
Leader: Allen Togut
Take a leisurely walk off the beaten path in an area that is richly populated with birds. Spring migration should be starting, so we should see a good variety of species, including some warblers.
To register, or for more information, Contact the GWVAS.
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Sunday, April 26
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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North American Spring Migration Count
Luzerne County Coordinator: Jim Shoemaker
The North American Spring Migration Count is similar to the Christmas Bird Count, except that entire counties are covered. Jim Shoemaker is the coordinators for the Luzerne County count; the coordinator position for Wyoming County has not yet been filled. You may wish to bird by yourself, or to join a team. Our experienced birders are always eager to share their knowledge with those of us who aren't as accomplished in this area. All participants will be assigned a territory. Then, it's Happy Counting!!
To register, or for more information, Contact the GWVAS.
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Sunday, May 24
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Birding along the Susquehanna Warrior Trail
Leader: Bob Wasilewski
PA Fish and Boat Commission's Union Boat Launch along US Route 11 near Shickshinny, 8:00 am
Join us for an easy walk along flat terrain to find the birds that nest along Luzerne County's newest trail. Vireos and warblers, along with common resident birds, are among the possibilities.
To register, or for more information, Contact the GWVAS.
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Butterflies
Leader: Jim Hoyson
Meeting place and time TBA.
Jim Hoyson will help us to identify some common, and perhaps some not-too-common, butterflies at the Houck Farm in Nescopeck Township.
To register, or for more information, Contact the GWVAS.
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Sunday, June 28
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Saturday, July 11
Leader: Carol Lizell
Falls Post Office, 10:00 am
Search for summer wildflowers along the Susquehanna River in Wyoming County with an avid wildflower enthusiast and photographer. Bring water, a snack/lunch, binoculars, and a camera. We will carpool to the area in which we will look for flowers.
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Sunday, July 26
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Sunday, August 23
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area
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Please note that other trips may be scheduled, so check back from time to time.
Hope you can join us in the field!