Beginning bird-watchers often complain that embarrassment over their lack of knowledge keeps them from joining established bird clubs and outings. Basics of Birding is a two-day program designed to be an introduction for the novice birder. If you can’t tell a junco from a jay, this weekend workshop is for you. Join with other beginners, park naturalists, and experienced birders at beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park, for a weekend filled with fun and informative presentations geared toward the beginning birder. Programs will include: buying the right equipment, learning to recognize common Pennsylvania birds, bird mist-netting and banding, owls of Pennsylvania, a pontoon boat tour, and an introduction to our nesting pair of bald eagles, among others. Contact (Sinnemahoning State Park at 1-814-647-8401 for a complete itinerary and list of available lodging. Meals are included in the package price.

Itinerary for June 2, 3 and 4, 2006

Friday Evening
7:00 PM - Arrival at park, check into motel or campground

Saturday Morning
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM - Continental Breakfast at Park Office
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM - pass out field glasses and complimentary field guides, note pads and pens.
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM - Guided Bird Hikes
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Discussion of findings, Introduction to PA Breeding Bird Atlas

Catered Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – 40 Maples picnic area

Saturday Afternoon
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Introduction to Birding in Pennsylvania workshop
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Identification Clues: Common Spring Birds of PA’s North-Central Forests
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Break
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM - Bald Eagle Program and Pontoon Boat Tour

Dinner and Theatre
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM – First Fork Lodge

Saturday Evening
 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM - Saw-Whet and Other PA Owls Programs

Sunday Morning
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM - Continental Breakfast at 40 Maples
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM - Bird Mist-netting and Banding Program
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM -Wetlands Birds program
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM - Free bird-watching time
Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Box Lunch at Pavilion - 40 Maples

Sunday Afternoon
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - End of programming, ask for comments and suggestions, depart for home.


BIOGRAPHIES

Jackie M. Flynn
Environmental Education Specialist, Sinnemahoning State Park

Prior to joining DCNR, Jackie Flynn was employed by the University of Pittsburgh, the school where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and English Writing. Sinnemahoning is the third state park in which Ms. Flynn has served as Environmental Education Specialist. Before joining the staff at Sinnemahoning, she served as park naturalist for Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County, and for Sizerville State Park near Emporium. An enthusiastic birder, Ms. Flynn doesn’t consider herself expert, and sympathizes with novices who can be easily intimidated by the knowledge of seasoned bird-watchers.

Janet Colwell
Environmental Interpretive Technician, Sinnemahoning State Park

Janet came to DCNR and Sinnemahoning State Park from the Cameron County Conservation District, where she served as Watershed Specialist. She has worked as the park naturalist at Sinnemahoning for the past three seasons, and also serves as a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Each summer, Janet has conducted interpretive pontoon boat rides on the lake, and has become very knowledgeable about our resident pair of bald eagles.

David W. Hauber

A birding enthusiast for over 50 years, Dave Hauber has devoted much of his life to the study of North America’s bird life. The owner of a successful jewelry store in Coudersport, PA, he spends much of his spare time serving as the Coordinator for Region 33 of the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas, and as Bluebird Coordinator for Potter County. Dave has been a qualified bird bander for 18 years, and is past-president of the Eastern Bird Banding Association, an organization that covers the eastern U.S. from Maine to Florida. Dave is very aware of the importance of attracting new enthusiasts to the bird-watching community, and conducts yearly programs on songbirds and saw-whet owls for area school students.

Maryann Haladay-Bierly
Environmental Education Specialist, R.B. Winter State Park

After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from IUP in 1978, Maryann worked as a seasonal EIT/EES at Shikellamy State Park from 1981 to 1986. In 1988, she transferred to R.B.Winter State Park where she continues to offer environmental programs today. She was promoted to full-time EES in 1996.

Maryann was a volunteer for the 1st Pennsylvania Breeding Bird survey in the early 1980’s, and has participated in several Christmas bird counts. Her favorite pastimes include gardening for wildlife, camping, fishing, reading, raising poultry, rabbits and teenagers, caring for and occasionally feeding a husband, and what she characterizes as “lazy person birding.”