Please note: the majority of our programs are held virtually using the Zoom format. We can get a huge range of speakers and topics this way. We will aim to have a program or two in person periodically. Those are generally held at the Peace Valley Nature Center at 170 N. Chapman Rd. Doylestown. Links are emailed to members of our Google Group. If you would like to join the email chain check out: https://groups.google.com/g/buckscobirders or email us at bucksbirders@gmail.com with your request.
January Meeting with Karla Rossini - The Wild and Scenic Maurice River
Karla joined the CU Maurice River team in 2015 as the Program Manager. At that time, she was responsible for planning, organizing, and managing programs and activities. From the ground up, she designed many outdoor education and recreation opportunities, developed new outreach initiatives, incorporated CUMR in national citizen science initiatives, and built the foundation for large-scale stewardship projects. In January of 2021, Karla began her new position as CU Maurice River’s Executive Director.
In this presentation, Karla will highlight the nationally recognized outstanding natural resource values of the Maurice River and its tributaries. The character and integrity of these values led to the river's inclusion in the National Park Service's Wild and Scenic Program. The Maurice River benefits from high-quality, contiguous habitats that support the system's notable biodiversity and abundance. Karla will end her talk with an overview of CU Maurice River's focus on engaging the public in resource protection and management, utilizing one example of a community-powered wetlands restoration project currently underway.
February Meeting with Bethany Sheffer on Chimney Swifts
Chimney Swift Program Description
Bats? Birds? Minions of the Underworld? If you have found strange looking birds in your fireplace or heard a deafening cacophony of sounds from inside it, congratulations! You likely have Chimney Swifts! Once numerous, these birds have experienced sharp declines in their range across the Eastern U.S. due to habitat loss during the last century. Join us as we unravel the mystery behind these unique and fascinating birds while giving you behind-the-scenes footage of our work with them through our Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic.
Bethany Sheffer Bio
Growing up in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Bethany enjoyed spending time outdoors with her father and Ojibwa native daycare provider. Though she began her nonprofit career working in social development within Latino communities, she reconnected with her enthusiasm for the natural world whilst completing her master’s degree in public administration and subsequently obtained positions working for Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina (as an AmeriCorps member), and other conservation-based nonprofits prior to her current one with the National Audubon Society. She is a certified Environmental Educator through the state of North Carolina and a certified Master Naturalist through Connecticut’s excellent Master Naturalist program. She has lived in parts of the Eastern United States and in South America and finds deep meaning in the connections between birds and people throughout the Western Hemisphere. If she could be any bird in the world, she would be a type of parrot.
April Meeting with Jennie McFarland from Tucson Bird Alliance on The Desert Purple Martin
Jennie MacFarland is the Director of Bird Conservation at Tucson Bird Alliance. She co-coordinates the Arizona Bird Areas Program with Tice Supplee and also coordinates the Tucson Bird Count, a city-wide, urban spring bird count.
Desert Purple Martins - Star Birds of the Arizona Monsoon
The Desert Purple Martin (Progne subis hesperia) is a distinct subspecies that times its nesting to monsoon abundance and nests almost exclusively in saguaros or other large columnar cacti. Desert Purple Martins are extremely understudied with large gaps in knowledge about their nesting, migration, and wintering grounds. Very recent discoveries and data results will be shared along with lots of video and audio that showcases the charming and fascinating Desert Purple Martin.
Steve Mariconda - Dark Sky New Jersey Delegate
Steve Mariconda, MPH, is a Delegate for the DarkSky New Jersey Chapter and Chair of the Saddle Brook Green Team. Steve has a Master of Public health degree from Rutgers School of Public Health and is passionate about raising public awareness of Light Pollution. Light Pollution disrupts ecosystems, obscures our view of the night sky, and is associated with various human health conditions. Learn about the basics of light pollution, responsible lighting practices, and policies that can help reduce light pollution in New Jersey and beyond.
Central Bucks Christmas Bird Count
Compiler is Diane Allison. She can be reached at dalliso@mail.ptd.net . For more information please see the National Audubon Society website at https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count/join-christmas-bird-count
Lower Bucks Christmas Bird Count
Compiler for the Lower Bucks Christmas Count is Mark Gallagher. He can be reached at mgallagher@princetonhydro.com . For more information see the National Audubon Society website at https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count/join-christmas-bird-count
Upper Bucks Christmas Count
Compiler is Bill Etter. He can be reached at billetter01@gmail.com For more information please see the National Audubon Society website at https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count/join-christmas-bird-count
November Meeting with Leigh Altadonna - Advocacy for Birds
Leigh Altadonna, President Emeritus of Liberty Bird Alliance (Formerly Wyncote Audubon), would like to share with us his efforts in local advocacy for bird preservation. That includes his work with Audubon, Birdtown and their new Habitat Recognition program, and Bird Safe Philly (preventing and educating about window strikes). The presentation will begin at 7pm but come early - after 6:30pm to catch up with your peeps. The meeting will be held in the classroom at Peace Valley Nature Center. Enter the building around the side near the bird blind.
A Bit Sit at Nockamixon SP (Tohickon Boat Launch)
Join the Big Sit! — A hawk Watch for Golden Eagles
Nockamixon State Park - Tohickon boat launch area
📅 Date: November 8th and 9th
🕗 Time: 9:00am to 2:00pm
📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y7wFuA2zwPwZTvfF9
Calling all birders, nature lovers, and eagle enthusiasts!
Come, be part of a Big Sit, a relaxed, all-day birding event where we stay in one spot and let the birds come to us. This is the perfect time (depending on wind conditions) to witness the Golden Eagles as they ride the NW/NE winds.
Bring your binoculars, lawn chairs, snacks, your favorite coffee mug, and good vibes. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just curious, everyone is welcome!
If it rains, consider it cancelled.
Bucks events are free for all. Register here to reserve your spot.
A Bit Sit at Nockamixon SP (Tohickon Boat Launch)
Join the Big Sit! — A hawk Watch for Golden Eagles
Nockamixon State Park - Tohickon boat launch area
📅 Date: November 8th and 9th
🕗 Time: 9:00am to 2:00pm
📍 Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y7wFuA2zwPwZTvfF9
Calling all birders, nature lovers, and eagle enthusiasts!
Come, be part of a Big Sit, a relaxed, all-day birding event where we stay in one spot and let the birds come to us. This is the perfect time (depending on wind conditions) to witness the Golden Eagles as they ride the NW/NE winds.
Bring your binoculars, lawn chairs, snacks, your favorite coffee mug, and good vibes. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just curious, everyone is welcome!
If it rains, consider it cancelled.
Bucks events are free for all. Register here to reserve your spot.
Bucks Birders Trip to Wetlands Institute & Nummy Island
Join us on a birding trip to the Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor, Nummy Island, and other shore points on November 1st. We will meet at our first stop, the Wetlands Institute, at 9:00 AM. The Institute opens at 9:30 and has restrooms.
We may have fewer migrants but November begins the vagrant season. You never know what may drop in. Our Trip Leaders are Barbara Stollsteimer and Carol Fitzpatrick. Details will be emailed to interested participants. Reach us at bucksbirders@gmail.com
October BCB Meeting & Celebrity Shorebirds with Mary Birdsong
Celebrity Shorebirds: Piping Plovers and Common Terns at Presque Isle. After a 60-year absence, Piping Plovers are now once again calling Gull Point at Presque Isle State Park their summer home. Nesting there since 2017, they have contributed to the endangered Great Lakes population in a meaningful way and afforded us the opportunity to learn more about these charismatic shorebirds. They have also provided moments of deep sadness as well as sublime joy. Birdsong will provide an overview of Erie Bird Observatory programs and provide information about the Great Lakes population of Piping Plovers, including highlights from the last nine years of monitoring. She will also talk about Common Terns, who have also attempted to nest at Gull Point and were finally successful in 2024.
Fall Bird Walk at Pine Run Reservoir (Meet at Covered Bridge Park)
Join us for a beautiful fall walk at Pine Run Reservoir. We will be starting the walk from Covered Bridge Parking lot starting at 7:30 am. We will catch some of the migrant birds passing by as the curtains start to close on the fall migration. If we are lucky, some of the hawk migration as well.
Please take proper sun and outdoor precautions such as, hat, sunscreen, water and bug spray as necessary.
The leaders of the trip: James Hamilton, accompanied by Vin Pannerselvam.
Warrington Fall Migration Bird Walk
Join us for a morning bird walk with a local guide to enjoy and appreciate joy of birding while the migrant birds moving through Bucks County in September & October. Bradford Dam reservoir is a fantastic location to watch migration in action with its variety of habitat along the Neshaminy creek.
Bird Walk Leader: Vin Pannerselvam
When: Friday Mornings 7am-9am from September 5th to October 10th 2025
Where: Bird walk starts sharply at 7 am from the gravel parking lot at John Paul Park at Lower Nike. The address is 301, Folly Rd, Chalfont, PA
Warrington Fall Migration Bird Walk
Join us for a morning bird walk with a local guide to enjoy and appreciate joy of birding while the migrant birds moving through Bucks County in September & October. Bradford Dam reservoir is a fantastic location to watch migration in action with its variety of habitat along the Neshaminy creek.
Bird Walk Leader: Vin Pannerselvam
When: Friday Mornings 7am-9am from September 5th to October 10th 2025
Where: Bird walk starts sharply at 7 am from the gravel parking lot at John Paul Park at Lower Nike. The address is 301, Folly Rd, Chalfont, PA
Warrington Fall Migration Bird Walk
Join us for a morning bird walk with a local guide to enjoy and appreciate joy of birding while the migrant birds moving through Bucks County in September & October. Bradford Dam reservoir is a fantastic location to watch migration in action with its variety of habitat along the Neshaminy creek.
Bird Walk Leader: Vin Pannerselvam
When: Friday Mornings 7am-9am from September 5th to October 10th 2025
Where: Bird walk starts sharply at 7 am from the gravel parking lot at John Paul Park at Lower Nike. The address is 301, Folly Rd, Chalfont, PA
Sept BCB Meeting and Katie Fallon presents Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird
Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird. Vultures are often overlooked, underappreciated, and unloved, despite the vital roles they play in healthy ecosystems. Worldwide, vultures are primarily scavengers; they can help stop the spread of disease by quickly and efficiently removing dead animals from the landscape. Unfortunately, due to poisoning, direct persecution, habitat loss, and other threats, vultures are more likely to be threatened or endangered than any other group of raptors. But in the Western Hemisphere, Turkey and Black Vultures counter this trend and are increasing in number. Based on Katie Fallon’s recent book, this fun presentation will explore the life and times of the noble Turkey Vulture, including its feeding, nesting, and roosting habits, migratory behaviors, and common misconceptions. Katie will also discuss what it’s like to be up-close-and-personal with Turkey and Black Vultures through her work with the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia.
Katie Fallon is the author of the nonfiction books Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird (2020, 2017) and Cerulean Blues: A Personal Search for a Vanishing Songbird (2011), as well as two books for children. She is the Executive Director of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the region’s wild birds through research, education, and rehabilitation. She has also served as President of the Mountaineer Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Katie is a Certified Professional Bird Trainer and has worked with birds since 1998; over the last twenty-five years she has given educational presentations featuring live raptors, vultures, parrots, and corvids. She writes the column WINGBEATS for Bird Watcher’s Digest and has taught writing at West Virginia University, Virginia Tech, and elsewhere. In 2022 Katie tried something new; she ran for a seat in the West Virginia state legislature and lost by just 138 votes! Her first word was “bird.” For more: www.katiefallon.com.
Warrington Fall Migration Bird Walk
Join us for a morning bird walk with a local guide to enjoy and appreciate joy of birding while the migrant birds moving through Bucks County in September & October. Bradford Dam reservoir is a fantastic location to watch migration in action with its variety of habitat along the Neshaminy creek.
Bird Walk Leader: Vin Pannerselvam
When: Friday Mornings 7am-9am from September 5th to October 10th 2025
Where: Bird walk starts sharply at 7 am from the gravel parking lot at John Paul Park at Lower Nike. The address is 301, Folly Rd, Chalfont, PA
A Big Sit for the Broad-winged at Peace Valley
Join the Big Sit! — Broad-winged Hawk Migration Watch
Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
📅 Date: September 14th
🕗 Time: 9:00am to 2:00pm
📍 Location: Peace Valley Park – The lawn near the last parking lot with boat launch south side of Creek Rd (closest to the spillway dam) https://maps.app.goo.gl/r9u9sXrDQHvVsgyK9
Calling all birders, nature lovers, and hawk enthusiasts!
Come be part of a Big Sit, a relaxed, all-day birding event where we stay in one spot and let the birds come to us. This is the perfect time to witness the spectacular migration of Broad-winged Hawks as they soar through Bucks County in swirling kettles.
Bring your binoculars, lawn chairs, snacks, your favorite coffee mug, and good vibes. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just curious, everyone is welcome!
Let’s count hawks, share stories, and enjoy the beauty of fall migration together. If it rains, consider it cancelled.
Bucks events are free for all. Register here to reserve your spot.
Warrington Fall Migration Bird Walk
Join us for a morning bird walk with a local guide to enjoy and appreciate joy of birding while the migrant birds moving through Bucks County in September & October. Bradford Dam reservoir is a fantastic location to watch migration in action with its variety of habitat along the Neshaminy creek.
Bird Walk Leader: Vin Pannerselvam
When: Friday Mornings 7am-9am from September 5th to October 10th 2025
Where: Bird walk starts sharply at 7 am from the gravel parking lot at John Paul Park at Lower Nike. The address is 301, Folly Rd, Chalfont, PA
Warrington Township Fall Migration Bird Walk
Join us for a morning bird walk with a local guide to enjoy and appreciate joy of birding while the migrant birds moving through Bucks County in September & October. Bradford Dam reservoir is a fantastic location to watch migration in action with its variety of habitat along the Neshaminy creek.
Bird Walk Leader: Vin Pannerselvam
When: Friday Mornings 7am-9am from September 5th to October 10th 2025
Where: Bird walk starts sharply at 7 am from the gravel parking lot at John Paul Park at Lower Nike. The address is 301, Folly Rd, Chalfont, PA
What to bring: Binoculars, hiking shoes, water, sun protection, and bug spray.
August BCB Meeting & Raptor Quest Bird Talk
Raptor Quest: Chasing America’s Raptors, is the story of his year-long adventure tracking down every species of Raptor in the Lower 48 states. And today, we’ll learn about his adventures, misadventures, successes and failures.
July BCB Meeting & Bird Talk with Rosemary Mosco
Join cartoonist Rosemary Mosco of Bird and Moon to learn how humor and art can help birds and other wildlife, and discover the beauty of a familiar unloved bird: the city pigeon.
June BCB Meeting and Travelogue with Susan Sherman Chile and the Falkland Islands
Program Description:
Last October, I joined an expedition to South Georgia Island, a wildlife paradise located a two- to three-day sail east from the Falkland Islands, and 900 mi north of Antarctica. Travelling to this remote location included three days in Santiago, Chile and three in the Falkland Islands. This presentation will showcase the beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife of these distant places.
Biography for Susan Sherman:
The Covid lockdowns plus a random backyard bird-feeder spurred me to become the obsessed birder and photographer I am today. My first experience seeing common birds up close, and watching their behavior, was truly a revelation. 500+ life birds and counting later, I’m increasingly enthralled. Fortunately, I’ve been retired for several years now from a corporate job, so I have the time to indulge my new-found passion!
Explore Local Park Series - Pine Run Reservoir
A Field Trip to Pine Run Reservoir & Covered Bridge Park
Pine Run is a small (39 acre) lake bordered to the south and east by seasonal mudflats and large patches of weedy, dry fields and grassy, wet fields. There is an elevated path that runs along the southeastern shore of the lake from Iron Hill Rd. The property is owned by Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority and is open to the public.
May BCB Meeting & The Red Tail Hawk Project - Bird Talk
Join us to learn about The Red-tailed Hawk project - it is a research collaboration focused on the ecology and evolution of Buteo jamaicensis. In this presentation, Bryce will outline the work of the Red-tailed Hawk Project, including what we do and do not know about the species, the goals of the working group, and their approach to data collection. Bryce will also share preliminary results from the project's work, including their extensive tracking efforts to better understand movement in migratory populations.
Field Trip to Baldpate Mountain
Trip Leaders: Sharon Furlong & Vin Pannerselvam
Where: Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain, Fiddler’s Creek Parking lot (Fiddlers Creek Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560)
Details: We will meet at the lower and larger Parking Lot located on Fiddler’s Creek Road, which is off Route 29, not far from the Washington Crossing Bridge. Here are a couple of links for those of you who are not familiar with this wonderful place to bird, picnic and hike:
https://njtrails.org/trail/ted-stiles-preserve-at-baldpate-mountain/
This gathering is for birds, so no trails…..we will be walking up the paved road starting from the Lot, and ending around the Visitor/Event Center. It is mostly uphill, but not too onerous of an uphill, and usually, the birds are so numerous that one barely registers the ascent. This is a place where one can count on double digit warblers, many vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks and little stripey sparrow things.
We are asking anyone interested to pre-register for this free (of course!) event, either through register link below or one of our private emails addresses. Please include ALL of your contact information (name, address, telephone number) and if you plan on bringing others. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact one of us. As we draw closer to the date, I hope to put out an email to our already-registered participants with some recent sightings.
So please consider joining us. It should be a blast.
Vin Pannerselvam: Bucksbirders@gmail.com
Sharon Furlong: sfurlong5@verizon.net
Field Trip to Belleplain State Forest
Trip Leaders: Barbara Stollsteimer & Carol Fitzpatrick
When: 8:30AM - 3:00PM
Trip Details: to be updated
Spring Migration - Core Creek Hidden Gem Bird Walk
Where: Core Creek County Park
Walk Leader: Sharon Furlong (sfurlong5@verizon.net)
Description: This walk will begin at the first ball field off the Woodbourne Road entrance, opposite the school. It is beyond where the tennis courts are, where the first ball field opens right beyond the open air pavilion, and where the brick restrooms are located. There is plenty of parking. Like last year, I will indicate different routes one can take to change or extend your own hike, and talk about habitat. And of course, we will scour the place for birds. And more birds. We hope to be out for at least 2.5 to 3 hours, but if you have to leave before, there are places you can return to your car more directly and I will do my best to get you on that route.
Registration is not required.
If weather is questionable, check our Facebook page for updates.
April BCB Meeting & Bird Talk
The Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi is the only place in the world where albatross spend a small percentage of their long airborne lives on the ground among humans. Join author, photographer and bird guide Hob Osterlund for a fun and lively conversation about their style, their story and their stresses.
Heislerville Field Trip
Saturday April 19th is our trip to Heislerville Wildlife Management Area led by Carol Fitzpatrick and Barb Stollsteimer. Heislerville WMA is part of the Delaware Bayshore and comprises close to 6000 acres of formerly diked salt-hay marshes, impoundments, tidal marshes, and pine-oak uplands. The area protects part of the Maurice River. We will primarily be on Matt’s Landing Rd, Earth Dike Rd, and East Point Rd to the lighthouse where we will eat our lunch.
Future Possible Field Trip for Your Birding Calendars (Additional Details to Come!)
JANUARY- Barnegat Lighthouse NJ
FEBRUARY - Shark River and the inland lakes from Belmar to Manasquan Inlet NJ
FEB/MAR - Middle Creek WMA in Lancaster County for the staging of Snow Goose flocks
MARCH - Bombay Hook NJ
APRIL - Heislerville Wildlife Management NJ
MAY - Busy month with lots of options. Cape May, Garrett Mountain Preserve, Poconos
JUNE - Belleplain State Forest or PA Atlas Breeding Bird trip
JULY - Bombay Hook NJ or PA Atlas Breeding Bird trip
AUGUST - Edwin Forsythe NWR NJ for shore bird migration
SEPTEMBER - Sandy Hook NJ and/or a Hawk Watch for Broad-wing Hawks
OCTOBER - Stone Harbor environs and Avalon Sea Watch and/or a Hawk Watch for best raptor diversity
NOVEMBER - Edwin Forsythe NWR, and/or a Hawk watch for Golden Eagle Migration