Upcoming Programs
- Moth Party at Rushton 7/7
- Glen Mills Schools Purple Martin Banding 7/8
- Wildflowers & Watercolor Workshop 7/13
Future Meetings
- "There Be Dragons" at Rushton 8/7
- Special Field Trip to Academy of Natural Sciences 8/8
- Discover Rushton Mini Camp 8/24
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Blake Goll
Nature Education Coordinator
Phone: 610-353-2562 Ext. 20
Email: bhg@wctrust.org
WCT Headquarters
925 Providence Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
610-353-2562
wctrust.orgRushton Farm & Rushton Woods Preserve
911 Delchester Rd.
Newtown Square, PA 19073
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Willistown Wild Wings Newswire
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Luna Moth on Black Walnut. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Mothing Party (With Fireflies & Milkweed)
Thursday, July 7 from 7 - 9:30pm Rushton Woods Preserve on Delchester Road
Spend a summer's eve at Rushton Farm to learn all about moths and survey what species are here by attracting them with blacklights and sugary moth bait painted on the trees! This exciting activity, which you can try at home, is called mothing. In addition, we will explore the prolific blooms of the Common Milkweed in our wild meadows, which are positively bursting with insect curiosities. If we're lucky we'll find some monarchs and get a nice firefly display when the sun goes down. Free for members. $5/child for non-members.
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Glen Mills Schools Purple Martin Banding
Friday, July 8 from 8:30 - 10:30am Glen Mills School on Glen Mills Road  |
Glen Mills School Purple Martin Colony. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Watch the banding of hundreds of Purple Martin chicks at the official Purple Martin colony of PA! Banding these birds year after year is important for their conservation because it helps us track their population changes. This aerial insectivore species is currently declining and threatened by climate change as well as habitat loss. They had trouble finding insects on the wing this spring during all that cold, rainy weather we had. Unfortunately, when the martins are in Brazil, they can't predict the spring weather in North America where they're headed to breed. Stop by the Glen Mills colony anytime between 8:30 and 10:30am to see the chicks! You may want to wear sunscreen.
Free for members. $5/child for non-members.
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Wildflowers and Watercolor Workshop
Wednesday, July 13 from 1 - 3pm WCT Headquarters (925 Providence Road Newtown Square) |
A junior birder gathers an insect for her wildflower watercolor study at last year's workshop. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Explore the spectacular wildflower meadow at the Trust office on Providence Road! The front meadow was released 8 years ago as an alternative to mowing, and every year we've planted native wildflower plugs among the grasses. July is the peak month when many of the flowers are blooming and pollinators are abuzz! Come learn about Monarch butterflies and the importance of native plants, and paint with watercolors in the fresh air with a local artist.
Free for members. $5/child for non-members.
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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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