Skip to content

Author: Dave Bonta

Call or email JVAS Hospitality Chair Marcia Bonta to make reservations for the April 21, 2014 JVAS Spring Banquet,
Published on Leave a comment on JVAS SPRING BANQUET – RESERVE NOW

Call or email JVAS Hospitality Chair Marcia Bonta to make reservations for the April 21, 2014 JVAS Spring Banquet: 814-684-3113 or [email protected]. Also, even if you can't attend, please consider donating new or gently used nature-related items to the silent auction: books, artwork, crafts, bird boxes, native plants, clothing, jewelry... anything that might appeal to someone who loves nature and the outdoors. Contact JVAS President Laura Jackson if you have something to donate: 814-652-9268 or [email protected].

The dinner is at Hoss's Steak & Sea House in Duncansville, whose all-you-can-eat buffet includes vegetarian options. The silent auction begins at 5:30 PM and dinner is at 6:00, followed by the presentation of our annual conservation award and a multimedia presentation on Golden-Winged Warblers. The featured speaker is ecologist Jeff Larkin, accompanied by his student D.J. McNeil, and they'll be talking about their research on monitoring the response of Golden-winged Warblers to habitat management. See the event description for more information, including a map and directions.

The March-April 2015 Gnatcatcher has just been published to the web. Highlights include descriptions of upcoming programs, field trips, and the banquet; an article on how to inculcate a life-long appreciation of raptors in kids; two book reviews; a report on the 2014 Christmas Bird Count; and the President's message.
Published on Leave a comment on March-April Gnatcatcher is out

The March-April 2015 Gnatcatcher has just been published to the web. Thanks to editors Alan and Terri Swann and content-wrangler Laura Jackson for all their work. There are three downloads this month: the issue itself and two supplements:

March-April 2015 Gnatcatcher
Golden-winged Warbler Weekend agenda and registration
JVAS Membership Reminder

Alternatively, here's the issue in an online reader, via Issuu.com:

Highlights of the issue include descriptions of upcoming programs, field trips, and the banquet; an article on how to inculcate a life-long appreciation of raptors in kids; two book reviews; a report on the 2014 Christmas Bird Count; and the President's message. Think spring! Trout lilies and warblers will be here before you know it.

Juniata Valley Audubon Society has partnered with Audubon PA and Penn State Altoona to do a free, two-day workshop on the identification, biology, and conservation of Golden-winged Warblers.
Published on Leave a comment on Register now for the Golden-winged Warbler Weekend, April 10-11, 2015

Male Golden-winged WarblerGolden-winged Warblers are one of Pennsylvania's most beautiful songbirds, but this secretive warbler is in trouble, partly due to habitat loss in its breeding range right here in Pennsylvania.

We know that many people are interested in knowing more about Golden-winged Warblers, so Juniata Valley Audubon Society has partnered with Audubon PA and Penn State Altoona to do a two-day workshop on the identification, biology, and conservation of these beautiful birds. The free workshop, which we are calling the Golden-winged Warbler Weekend, will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 10 – 11, 2015 at the Penn State Altoona campus.

Our speakers will share their research on the biology and habitat needs of Golden-winged Warblers in Pennsylvania, as well as in Honduras, where many Golden-winged Warblers spend their winter. On Saturday afternoon we will have interactive sessions so participants can choose between programs that address conservation work in Pennsylvania or conservation programs in Honduras.

The Vice-President of Juniata Valley Audubon Society, Dr. Mark Bonta, is active in bird conservation programs in Honduras. He has connections with researchers in Honduras, as well as Honduran conservationists, who need our help in protecting Golden-winged Warblers on their winter range. We hope to form a coalition of volunteers who are willing to promote conservation projects in Honduras. Saturday's afternoon session will provide details on how we can take those critical steps toward forging international connections. Private forest landowners are also encouraged to attend the conference, as details will be share on funding that is available for habitat conservation work on private lands using WHIP funding through NRCS.

You can attend the free programs on just one, or both days. The only charge will be for the Golden-winged Warbler Dinner Party, which is a buffet held at Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Company near the campus. More details are on the agenda.

Young Golden-winged Warblers on nestThe registration form is located at the bottom of the PDF version of the agenda. Please return the registration portion of the agenda, if you are interested in attending, as well as payment for the dinner party, if you plan to join us for dinner. Please mail the registration form and dinner payment to Laura Jackson as soon as possible: [email protected]

We look forward to meeting you at the workshop. It should be a great opportunity to learn more about Golden-winged Warblers and how we can help keep them off the Endangered Species List.

Whether you're a fan of birds, wildflowers, herps, rocks, trees, views, or conservation issues, there's something in the calendar that ought to appeal.
Published on Leave a comment on Winter-spring 2015 calendar is up

Browse the events page on our website to see what's on tap through June. JVAS programs, field trips, our annual banquet and our annual picnic are all open to the public. If you want a paper copy of the schedule and don't subscribe to the Gnatcatcher, you might print out and save the relevant pages from the PDF of the latest issue. The web descriptions link to location pages with maps and, in some cases, driving directions.

We think we have a great line-up this year, including two driving tours, a special focus on Golden-winged Warblers, and a wide geographical spread — all the way from Everett to Milheim. Whether you're a fan of birds, wildflowers, herps, rocks, trees, views, or conservation issues, there's something in the calendar that ought to appeal.

The field trips listed in the Gnatcatcher and on the website are our "official" field trips, but a number of other, impromptu hikes and outings also take place throughout the year in response to weather events, fickle wildflower blooming dates, and other things that favor more last-minute planning. To learn about these, we encourage everyone to "like" the Juniata Valley Audubon Society Facebook page and check it at least once a week.

The January-February 2015 Gnatcatcher (Vol XLVII, No. 1) has just been published to the web
Published on Leave a comment on First Gnatcatcher of 2015 is out

The January-February 2015 Gnatcatcher (Vol XLVII, No. 1) has just been published to the web. You can download the PDF or read it via Issuu.com.

Subscribers to the print edition should be getting it in their mailboxes in a few days, and if you've signed up for the electronic edition (thank you!), look for an email containing the PDF link.

Highlights of this issue include news about an exciting event upcoming in April, the Golden-winged Warbler Weekend; a review of Berndt Heinrich's book Winter World; Golden Eagle migration reports from Jacks and Stone Mountains; news about a research team in Honduras that JVAS Vice-President Mark Bonta is involved with, and their success in radio-tagging a rare species of bellbird; and descriptions of JVAS winter and spring field trips and programs.

Thanks to Alan and Terri Swann for all their work on putting the issue out, Charlie Hoyer for assistance with mailing, and JVAS President Laura Jackson for helping to round up articles and other content.

Reservation and payment are due by Tuesday, Nov. 18 if you'd like to join us for the Christmas Bird Count supper on December 20. We'll be meeting at 5:30 at Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Co. at Pinecroft.
Published on Leave a comment on Come one, come all to the JVAS Christmas Bird Count Dinner!

Marzoni's logoReservation and payment are due by Tuesday, Nov. 18 if you'd like to join us for the Christmas Bird Count supper on December 20. We'll be meeting at 5:30 at Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Co. at Pinecroft, 1830 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona. (Here's a map.)

You don't have to participate in the count to join us for dinner!

The meal will be buffet style with three delicious Italian entrées from the Banquet Menu:

  • Eggplant Parmigiana (Meatless)
  • Beef Tips Marsala with mashed potatoes and vegetables
  • Chicken Alfredo

Also included:

  • Fresh Garden Salad
  • Unlimited Bread Sticks
  • Soft drinks, Juice, Coffee, and Tea (Free Refills)

Marzoni's own, hand-crafted beer is available at an additional cost.

Only $18 per person (includes gratuity). Make check payable to Laura Jackson and mail to:
8621 Black Valley Road
Everett, PA 15537
or pay at the Nov. 18 JVAS program meeting.

For more information on the Christmas Bird Count, see the event description, and be sure to read CBC compiler Steve Bonta's article on the front page of the Gnatcatcher.

The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania is available at a special discount of 25% off the list price, particularly to Audubon Chapters, until December 15.
Published on Leave a comment on Special offer on PA breeding bird atlas

cover of Second ATlas of BReeding Birds of PennsylvaniaThe Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania is available at a special discount of 25% off the list price of $64.95, particularly to Audubon Chapters, until December 15.

This beautiful book presents stunning photographs, detailed maps, and compelling descriptions for nearly 200 nesting bird species. Two thousand dedicated birdwatchers – including many Audubon members – contributed the data which provides a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of each species and shows in detail the changes in distribution since the first Atlas.

This beautiful book may be ordered by:

  • Phone: Call 800-326-9180 and pay with credit card between 8:00 am and 4:30pm, Monday-Friday.
  • Mail a check to:
    Penn State University Press
    University Support Bldg. 1, Suite C
    University Park, PA 16802-1003
    In amount of: $56.63 (tax and shipping included for 1 book)
  • Or go to the Penn State Press website, add to cart, and enter the discount code WS14 upon check-out.

For each of these methods, reference the "WS14" discount code for 25% off and reduced shipping.

1

We’d like to recognize Terri and Alan Swann as the new editors of The Gnatcatcher. This issue introduces a couple of exciting new features, in addition to the usual mix of conservation and club news.
Published on 1 Comment on Nov/Dec Gnatcatcher is out

Download the PDF

We’d like to recognize Terri and Alan Swann as the new editors of The Gnatcatcher. They are JVAS members who have graciously donated their time and talents to produce a top quality newsletter. We really appreciate their efforts!

This issue introduces a couple of exciting new features, in addition to the usual mix of conservation and club news. Laura Jackson, JVAS President, is encouraging members to submit book reviews, original poetry, and nature articles for future issues of the newsletter. Please send your submissions to Laura at [email protected].

The Sept/Oct issue of the Gnatcatcher is out, including a schedule of the fall programs and field trips. But now we need a new editor.
Published on Leave a comment on Sept/Oct Gnatcatcher is out… but now we need a new editor

front page of GnatcatcherThe September/October issue of JVAS' newsletter the Gnatcatcher includes an original nature essay by Marcia Bonta as well as a full explanation for why everyone who attends our September program meeting will receive a roll of toilet paper. You can read it on Issuu or download the PDF from our online Gnatcatcher archive.

The issue includes a full schedule of programs and field trips through December, which are also now here on the website. (The web descriptions link to the field trip locations on Google maps, may may be of use in finding some of the more obscure places.)

UPDATE: We have new editors: Terri and Alan Swann. Thanks to everyone who expressed interest.

Finally, we desperately need a new volunteer to edit the Gnatcatcher. Our previous editor, Ruby Becker, has had to step back due to other commitments, and her predecessor Charlie Hoyer was able to take over for the Sept/Oct issue (thanks, Charlie!) but now we do need a new editor. If you have decent copy-editing and organizational skills and are handy with word-processing software, we'd love to hear from you. Both Ruby and Charlie are perfectionists with intimidatingly good design skills, but we'd be satisfied with a much more basic approach, as long as the content is good and the issues are ready in time. The newsletter is published 4 - 6 times a year. The editor does not have to provide content, as members will provide articles and information for each issue. Anyone interested should email JVAS President Laura Jackson: mljackson2 [at] embarqmail.com for more details.

Published on Leave a comment on Spend Mother’s Day weekend in the woods with JVAS
Pink lady's-slipper orchids at Rocky Ridge
Pink lady's-slipper orchids at Rocky Ridge (photo by Stan Kotala)

It's been a cold spring, but the warblers are returning on schedule, and the wildflowers are slowly beginning to catch up. By Mother's Day weekend, the woods and meadows should be bursting with activity, and I don't imagine very many readers of this post will be willing to remain indoors, even if it's raining. So plan to join us for the annual Terry Wentz Memorial Hike on the Lower Trail led by Alice Kotala. It will be an easy, five-mile hike from Mount Etna to Alfarata along our area's premiere rail-trail through an outstanding example of a Ridge and Valley riparian forest.

More than 150 species of birds have been identified along the Lower Trail, and if you go on the hike, be sure to take note of everything you see and hear, because the second Saturday in May is also Pennsylvania Annual Migration Count (PAMC) and International Migratory Bird Day. This is a more informal count than the Christmas Bird Count, but the data is still of great use to ornithologists and ecologists tracking the movements and numbers of neotropical migrants, especially as climate change takes hold. There's a compiler for each county; the complete list is on the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology website. As Blair County compiler Michael David explains,

This is a fairly unstructured event – simply go birding anywhere in the state on the 10th and, to the best of your ability, identify and count every bird you see. Record the time you started and stopped and how far you walked and drove and that’s it!

The Lower Trail hike doesn't begin until 1:00, so you have all morning to go birding in your neighborhood or back forty.

The eponymous Rocky Ridge
The eponymous Rocky Ridge (photo by Stan Kotala)

Finally, on Mother's Day itself, I'm leading a wildflower ramble with my mother, naturalist-writer Marcia Bonta, through one of central Pennsylvania’s best spots for spring wildflowers — not to mention the Oriskany sandstone rock formations that give this state forest natural area its name. It will be fun to see what's in bloom this year. Photographers are welcome (but be very careful to stay on trail and not trample anything). We meet there at 10:00. Go to the event listing for full details and a good map.

To whet your appetite, read Stan Kotala’s “On the Trail” column about the place.