May 2016



Upcoming Programs
  • Songbird Banding Open House 5/7
  • Birding by Ear at Kirkwood 5/15

Extras for Older Jr. Birders 

  • Belleplain State Forest with West Chester Bird Club 5/22
Future Meetings

  • University of Pennsylvania Bioblitz at Rushton 6/3



Click here
for 2016 
schedule! 
_______________________



Blake Goll


Nature Education Coordinator

Phone: 610-353-2562 Ext. 20

Email: [email protected]



WCT Headquarters

925 Providence Road

Newtown Square, PA 19073

610-353-2562

wctrust.org



Rushton Farm & Rushton Woods Preserve

911 Delchester Rd.

Newtown Square, PA 19073







Willistown Wild Wings Newswire

 


Black-throated Green Warbler singing. Photo by Nathan Lewis.



Songbird Banding Open House

Saturday, May 7 from 6-10:30am 
Rushton Woods Preserve on Delchester Road 
 
Stop by the banding station at Rushton Farm anytime between the operating hours of 6 and 10:30am (most kids arrive by 9am) to observe the fascinating science of bird banding.  You'll see brightly colored spring warblers that you may not normally get to see so close even though they may be passing through your yard this time each spring.  Before continuing on to points north they need habitats like Rushton and your bird-friendly backyard to rest, refuel and get "fat"!  Bring your family, a friend and binoculars if you like to spot warblers in the trees.



Free for members. $5/child for non-members. 


Register on our Signup Genius page and email Blake Goll with any questions ([email protected])
 


Birding By Ear at Kirkwood Preserve

Sunday, May 15 from 9:30- 11:30am 
Kirkwood Preserve on Grubbs Mill Road

Song Sparrow singing. Photo by Mike Rosengarten.



"Cheer! Cheer! Birdie, Birdie, Birdie, Birdie, Birdie!"   That's just one mnemonic device for remembering the Northern Cardinal's song!  Enjoy a leisurely stroll through our lovely grassland preserve while tuning your ear to bird songs.  We will learn tips and tricks to identifying birds by song, which is an essential skill for birders.  Bring binoculars if you have them or let us know if you need to borrow a pair.  Feel free to bring a friend too! Let's break down these curious ditties!



Free for members. $5/child for non-members. 


Register on our Signup Genius page and email Blake Goll with any questions ([email protected])




Extras for Older Jr. Birders! 
Special Field Trip to Belleplain State Forest in NJ 
with West Chester Bird Club 
Sunday. May 22 from 8am-(All day)

Belleplain State Forest in New Jersey 
This is a special field trip for the older and adventurous young birders who wish to have an authentic birding experience with advanced adult birders in our community.  This is a must-see for warbler lovers, plus we'll visit Bayshore for redknots and other spectacular shorebirds!  Young birders must be accompanied by an adult.  Meet at Belleplain State Forest office parking lot 1: Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine, NJ, at 8am. This is an all day trip with minimal walking.  People are free to depart whenever they wish. Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of drinks.


Register on our Signup Genius page and email Blake Goll with any questions ([email protected]) or to organize carpooling.  Click here for more information about Belleplain State Forest.
Pink Lady Slipper Orchids, a type of

orchid that can be found in Belleplain.

Photo from Google Search.




What You Missed in April  
 

Junior Birders making poetry and nests at the April Poetry Workshop.  Photos by Blake Goll/Staff. 


Over 15 Junior Birders joined Villanova poetry professor, Cathy Staples, and her two students as we explored Rushton Farm's spring beauty.  We created many inspiring poems about the budding apple trees and the birds that could soon build their nests there, and then we got to work building our own bird nests!  (It's not as easy as birds make it look). On Saturday, we explored sweeping fields, wet woodlands and early successional habitat at Binky Lee Preserve in Chester Springs with experienced birders of the West Chester Bird Club.  We found a variety of species including a White-eyed Vireo, Gray Catbirds, Common Yellowthroats and Field Sparrows.  We even heard a Yellow-billed Cuckoo!  Gotta love spring!





Thanks for your interest in Willistown Conservation Trust's Junior Birding Club, a chapter of PA Young Birders. Studies have shown that regular experience with nature makes kids healthier, happier and significantly improves their performance in all school subjects. Getting your child involved with PA Young Birders is a wise choice that makes positive waves in your child's future.
 

Our Mission is to develop a culture of caring           

for the natural world and desire to conserve  

land, by providing meaningful, thought provoking  

experiences with nature, especially birds.

 

Our Objectives for Your Child:

  • Connect intimately to nature in order to foster a lasting love of the natural world.  
  • Nurture a spirit of discovery and wonder.  
  • Refine birding abilities and cultivate a wholesome lifelong hobby.  
  • Develop science skills and understanding of the scope of science.  
  • Create a confident conservation ethic by demonstrating the importance of preserving open space.
  • Recognize the interconnectedness of habitat, birds and other wildlife.    
  • Ensure an ultimate understanding of the positive role humans can play in the natural world 

Kids are only expected to bring a desire to learn about birds and explore nature as well as hiking shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty!  Binoculars are a plus, but we always have a few on hand to borrow.  All programs are appropriate for kids ages 8-12, but most are adaptable for younger or older kids as well; just ask me if you are concerned about the age appropriateness of a program.



 

The Willistown Conservation Trust is a non-profit land trust working to protect the rural beauty of the 28,000 acres surrounding Willistown,Pennsylvania.  We're dedicated to permanently protecting our countryside from development and inspiring in people a lifelong love of the land and the natural world.  Please visit our website to learn more about us, and subscribe to our bird blog to learn about what's been going on at our bird banding station this year.


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Willistown Conservation Trust | 925 Providence Road | Newtown Square | PA | 19073