2008 BSP Conference

Join Fellow Bluebirders for this Wonderful
Annual Bluebird Event!

Displays, Vendors of beautiful and useful bluebird/songbird items,
Bluebird Quilt Raffle, Live Auction, Door Prizes, and the Delicious Buffet Luncheon shared with Friends!

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April 4, 2008-Friday Night, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m
"What Bluebirds Love To Eat "
Presented by BSP Member, Amy Boyer.
This informative program will provide useful information about the many types of food sources, natural and manmade, that nourish bluebirds during each season of the year. It will also provide tips on how to create a backyard habitat that includes plants and shrubs that produce fruits and berries and also the importance of providing a water source. This will be a multimedia presentation with time for discussion, and Amy is looking forward to sharing this information with fellow bluebirders and learning from participants what their bluebirds seem to prefer. Amy is a busy mom of 3 young children, but she makes time for gardening and birding. She has been actively involved with bluebirding for 3 years, enjoys observing birds, journaling her findings, and photographing the beauty of the natural environment.

Saturday, April 5, 2008
"Early Morning Bird Walk"
Conducted by Terry Neumyer
Explore the beautiful grounds of the Toftrees Conference Center and seek out and learn about the variety of songbirds that frequent the area and where certain species are known to frequent. Rise and shine and enjoy birding with an experienced, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic birder. Bring your binoculars!

April 5, 2008- Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. All Day Conference
Registration and Continental Breakfast start at 8:00 a.m.


Scheduled Presentations:

"Cavity-Nesting Songbirds"
Presented by Terry Neumyer
Discover the beauty, fascinating behaviors, and diversity of birds that depend on cavities, natural and man-made (nestboxes), to raise their young. Terry is a resident of South Central Pennsylvania and is an avid birder who travels extensively to photograph a variety of birds in their natural environment. After 37 years of teaching in the disciplines of chemistry, biology, and ecology, he now devotes his free time to birding and photography. He has been a member of the National Audubon Society more than 25 years, has served as President of the Appalachian Audubon Society from 2001-2002, and also has served as that organization's program chairman for 10 years. He has led several birding trips and is a member of the Cape May Bird Observatory. He has also conducted field studies for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and has identified 53 individual birds that meet the classification of being birds of concern, threatened, and endangered. He has offered nature photography programs for Elderhostel attendees, has presented programs on more than 50 nature topics related to birds, travel topics, and shares lessons of Mother Nature with
the audiences of all ages.

"Conservation and Development of Shelters Used By Bat Maternity Colonies "
Presented by Jerry Hassinger
The bat is a creature with fascinating behaviors and nesting needs, is very important to the ecology of Pennsylvania, and serves a very beneficial role. Bats occupy some of the largest cavities (mainly caves) and the smallest crevices (3/8 inch) found in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. They are found in attics, barns, sheds, behind shutters, and in houses specifically designed to accommodate bats. There is a great need to promote the future conservation of bats, and Jerry will discuss the design, placement, and use of bat boxes. Jerry is a resident of Millersburg, Pennsylvania, and has a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Technology from the University of Montana and a Master's Degree in Zoology from Penn State University. He was the first Wildlife Biologist hired by the PA Bureau of Forestry to help foresters promote the needs of wildlife. He also served as a Wildlife Biologist with the PA Game Commission and as a Supervisor of the Wildlife Diversity Section of the Bureau of Wildlife Management. He is a charter member and faculty member of the Ned Smith Center of Nature and Art, Board Member of the PA Biological Survey, and the PA Outdoor Writers' Association. He has instructed programs in outdoor digital photography and has produced several publications, including "Woodcrafting for Wildlife: Homes for Birds and Mammals," which provides a variety of plans for constructing nestboxes to promote cavity-nesting species to nest successfully.

"Purple Martins-How to Promote Nesting Success"
Presented by the Purple Martin Conservation Assoc.
in cooperation with the Edinboro University of PA
.
This organization is the only organization devoted exclusively to the scientific study of the Purple Martins, their biology, and habitat requirements. This interesting program will focus on the nesting and habitat needs of the Purple Martin, a beautiful and beneficial cavity-nesting songbird that can breed successfully if provided assistance. The program will provide information about the status of the Purple Martin colonies in Pennsylvania and what bluebird landlords can do to assist the Purple Martin species. Information regarding erecting, monitoring, and maintaining Purple Martin nestboxes as well as dealing with predators will be discussed. Some of the same problems encountered by bluebird landlords also apply to Purple Martin landlord, such as dealing with English House Sparrows, which compete for nesting sites, losses due to weather extremes, and limited nesting options. Only with the ongoing assistance of concerned conservationists will the Purple Martin be around for future generations to enjoy.

Displays, Vendors of beautiful and useful bluebird/songbird items,
Bluebird Quilt Raffle, Live Auction, Door Prizes, and the Delicious Buffet Luncheon shared with Friends!

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