Goldfinch Gazette
The Newsletter of the Rockingham Bird Club
Volume XXXIV
SEPTEMBER MEETING
DATE: Thursday, September 4, 2008
TIME: 6:00 PM **Note place and time change
PLACE: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 725 S. High St. Harrisonburg -- Carry-in Dinner
PROGRAM: The RBC will kick off its 2008-09 season with a take-in dinner at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 725 S. High Street at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 4th. Bring food and drinks; plates and tableware will be provided. Our program will begin promptly at 7:00 PM, and our speaker will be Richard (Dick) H. Peake, Jr. of Wise, VA and Galveston, TX who will be sharing his bird trip to Namibia. Diane Holsinger and others have remarked that Namibia is one of the loveliest parts of Africa, and now we have a chance to view it through him.
Directions to Trinity Presbyterian: from I-81 (Port Republic Rd, the JMU exit), turn west onto Port Republic Road, which turns into Maryland Avenue when it crosses Rt. 11 (Main Street). Continue past the fire station and cross South High Street in order to park in the back of the church. If you have problems finding it, I'll try to have my cell phone handy 540-421-5257. _ Elizabeth Ihle
Looking ahead:October: “What to Feed Your Birds” by Thelma Dalmas. November: “RBC Costa Rican Adventures” by Diane Holsinger.
Field Trips -- Tom Mizell
Saturday, September 6 - Skyline Drive - Greg Moyers will lead a trip to Pocosin Cabin where many good migrants have been found in recent years including Blackpoll, Tennessee, Nashville, Magnolia, Bay-breasted and Cape May Warblers. We will meet in Kohl's parking lot at 7:45 AM and should return shortly after noon. Please contact Greg at gwmoyers@msn.com or 434-3029 if you plan to attend.
Saturday, September 13 - Afton Mountain Hawks - Tom Lord will take us to Afton Mountain / Rockfish Gap to observe migrating hawks and eagles. Meet Tom at 8:00 AM in the exit 240 (Bridgewater exit) Park and Ride lot west of Rt. I-81. Bring a lunch and if possible a folding chair. Anticipate leaving ~ 2:00PM depending on peoples' needs and bird activity. Contact Tom at 828-1226 or vista1@verizon.net.
Monday, September 15 – Switzer Dam Area – Ken Hinkle will lead a trip to Switzer Dam to look for fall migrants and other birds indigenous to the area. Meet 8:00 AM at the old Food Lion Parking Lot on Rt. 33 west. Bring drinks and snacks. We should return between 12:00 noon and 1:00 PM. Contact Ken at 828-3782 or kencora@verizon.net.
Friday, September 19 - Hillandale Park, Harrisonburg - Meet with Tom Mizell at 8:00 AM at the Children's Playground parking lot for our monthly walk. As the walks began in October 2006, this one will wind up our second full year of study as we gather information that will help us design a birding trail. Thus far we have recorded over 80 species during our once per month outings.
High Knob - Clair Mellinger is to lead a trip to High Knob on Shenandoah Mountain with the date to be announced at the meeting. A visit to this site will take us along the Virginia/West Virginia line and may treat us to migrant warblers as well as hawks. Ovenbirds, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black-and-White Warblers, and American Redstarts have been noted in past outings. The Forest Service Fire Tower affords some spacious views of the Valley and West Virginia. The Fire Tower is a place where snacks are enjoyed as one takes in the beauty of the forest and is well worth the mile plus walk. Call Clair at 433-1752 if you wish to attend.
Note: Diane Holsinger is looking to organize a trip to Costa Rica in February 2009 leaving February 10 and returning February 18. Contact Diane at dhworkout@hotmail.com or 540-896-7132 for more information. A deposit in advance is needed. Diane will have more details at the upcoming meeting.
Copyright 2008 Rockingham Bird Club. All rights reserved.