Monthly Meetings and Programs

PIAS holds meetings on the third Friday of each month (except for holidays) from September through June, excluding December and January. Our Annual Banquet is the third Friday of September. The meetings are held at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Room 112, 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie. They begin with a social gathering at 7 p.m., followed by a 7:30 program. Everyone is invited; you need not be a member to attend PIAS meetings and enjoy the informative, educational and fun programs.

Programs

"South Africa"
June 18, 2010


Ruth Swaney will present a pictorial introduction to "South Africa" at our June Meeting. It will include a safari in Hluhluwe-Umfolzi Game Reserve, depict life among the Zulu, and show ancient rock art of the Sani people. Please join us for our last program of the 2009-2010 season.

Place: Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Address: 301 Peninsula Drive, Room 112
Social: 7:00 pm
Program: 7:30 pm
FREE and open to the public.


Allegany Nature Pilgrimage
June 4, 5 and 6, 2010

The Nature Pilgrmage has been providing a nature retreat in Allegany State Park, NY for over 50 years. Members, their families and friends from Buffalo, Jamestown, and Presque Isle Audubon Societies and Burroughs Nature Club in Rochester gather to enjoy the outdoors and discover more about the world we live in. There is something for all ages and interests. Over 90 different field trips, adventures and classes will be held. There will be evening programs and speakers and a chicken barbecue on Saturday evening.

Allegany State park consists of over 60,000 acres of forested hillsides and lakes. There are bike paths and over 70 miles of hiking trails. There are hundreds of cabins and campsites to stay in. The park abounds with wildlife, and it is not uncommon to see deer, beavers, porcupines, raccoons and an occasional black bear. There are incredible numbers of wildflowers, ferns, birds, butterflies and trees. Differences in habitat and altitude provide great birding.

For more information and to pre-register for the weekend see the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage website at:
www.alleganynaturepilgrimage.com or
contact Lisa at lsdanko@hotmail.com or 814-898-0284.

Field Trips and Activities


         Field trip at ENWR Muddy Creek Holly Trail

Presque Isle Audubon Society offers a variety of field trips which provide individuals with recreational and educational experiences throughout the year. In addition, PIAS sponsors other activities including the Presque Isle Christmas Bird Count, a Great Backyard Bird Count workshop, Hawk Watch in the spring, and the Festival of the Birds in May. Details for upcoming trips and activities will be published below and in our newsletter, Tern of Events. Unless otherwise indicated, these activities are free and open to the public. Bring a friend!

Spring Trips and Activities

French Creek Float
Saturday, June 12, 2010

    Join Presque Isle Audubon members and friends on Saturday, June 12 for a fabulous float down French Creek! We'll put in at 10:00 am and take out at 2:00 pm, so bringing a lunch is in order, as we'll be also stopping for lunch on the shore. This is an easy stretch of the creek and is suitable for all skill levels.
    The trip leaves from the Fish and Boat Commission boat launch just south of Saegertown and takes out in Bicentennial Park in Meadville. Along the way, we'll stop to learn about resident fish and mussels, and if we're lucky, we'll see the famous hellbender salamander.
    Darran Crabtree, Director of Conservation at the Nature Conservancy will share his knowledge with us and John Tautin (of the French Creek Conservancy and the Purple Martin Conservation Association) will be our host. John has arranged for a special permit so there will be no launch fees and individual launch permits are not required.
    Some requirements: Participants must have a personal flotation device and should plan to wear footwear for wet environs. Of course, you'll need a canoe or kayak (but if you want to go and don't have one, contact us anyway, as you may be able to double up with someone else or find someone with an extra craft).
    Also, we will need to arrange a car shuttle, so participants are asked to volunteer to show up at 9:15 am to ferry a few cars to the take out point for the return trip.
    There is a 20 vessel limit to the trip, so all those interested must register by Thursday, June 10. Email Field Trip Chair, Mary Birdsong, at mary.birdsong@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating. Please provide your phone number or other pertinent contact information so if bad weather or any last minute creek conditions require us to cancel the trip, organizers will be able to contact you, and mention if you can arrive early for car ferrying.
    Mary will provide directions to the boat launch area once you are registered. See you on June 12th, on the creek with a paddle!

Clean-up at PIAS Nature Garden, Scott Park
Monday, June 14, 2010

    A couple of years ago Pat Howell and I recruited students from Villa Maria Elementary School to rid an area of Scott Park of invasive plants and broken limbs and twigs. The purpose of this venture was to prepare ground where native plants could be introduced and nurtured for the public to learn about these plants and to enjoy such a garden. A few people donated trees, grasses, ferns and various types of flowers which would thrive in the type of environment that was prepared. The Villa students along with Pat and I placed these items strategically so that a path could be made through the area to observe them. We walked through the area recently and found many of the species still growing and decided that we needed to resume our work at keeping the area clear of invasive plants and debris.
    We have planned a clean-up evening on Monday, June 14 beginning at 6:00 PM. Please consider coming to help if even for a half hour or so and bring gloves, trowels, shovels, buckets, clippers, and even a wheel-barrow if possible. To get to the nature garden, just enter Scott Park and go down the road around the curve about 100 yards. You can park along the road on the right or proceed to the parking lot a little further on the left. We will be there to meet and greet you.
    Note: Bob Gross has offered to design and make signs for the garden once we get things organized. Thanks, Bob, for the offer. Pat Howell and Janet Price, Organizers

Roderick Wildlife Preserve Field Trip
Saturday, June 19, 2010, 8:30 AM

    Directions: Meet just west of the intersection of Route 5 and 20 at the parking lot of a closed restaurant on the south side of the road. We'll then head north on Rudd Road to go to our favorite areas.
    State Gameland 314 is located at the PA/ Ohio border. Although few people know where it is, some of us do because we've been there to bird for pleasure, to do point counts, or to clean up trash for the Intercoastal Clean-up. This gem spans 3,131 acres with many different habitats and 1.5 miles of shoreline along Lake Erie with a breath-taking overlook. It was designated as one of Pennsylvania's Important Bird Areas by Audubon Pennsylvania.
    If you've never been there, this is a perfect chance to check it out. And if you have been there, you'll want to see what the birds are doing at Roderick. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, and long pants. Also bring water, a snack, insect repellant, and a bag lunch if you'd like for later.
    If you would like to carpool call Janet at 825-8394 or Pat at 474-3044. Oh! and one more thing. There will be doughnuts. It's tradition! Hope to see you there.