STATE COLLEGE - The Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania will hold its 10th annual conference April 4 and 5 at Toftrees Conference Center. Topics will involve the Eastern bluebird and problems found inside nestboxes on the bluebird trail.
Scheduled speakers include:
* âCavity-Nesting Songbirds,ã presented by birder and educator Terry Neumyer. Discover the beauty, fascinating behaviors and diversity of birds that depend on cavities, both natural and man-made to raise their young.
* âConservation and Development of Shelters Used by Bat Maternity Colonies,â 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.
* âPurple Martins: How to Promote Nesting Success,ã presented by the Purple Martin Conservation Association in cooperation with Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. This organization is the only organization devoted exclusively to the scientific study of the purple martins, their biology and habitat requirements. This program will address nesting and habitat needs; erecting, monitoring and maintaining nestboxes; and dealing with predators; as well as provide information about the status of purple martin colonies in Pennsylvania and what bluebird landlords can do to assist the species.
* Friday Night Program: âWhat Bluebirds Love To Eat,ã presented by Society member Amy Boyer. Program will include discussion on food sources, tips on how to create a backyard habitat that includes plants and shrubs that produce fruits and berries and the importance of providing a water source.
* On April 5, an early morning bird walk will be led by Terry Neumyer. Explore the beautiful grounds of the Toftrees Conference Center and learn about the variety of songbirds that frequent the area and where certain species are known to frequent.
More information is available at www.thebsp.org, along with a printable conference registration form.
Registration costs $35 per person. A block of rooms is reserved at Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center for BSP conference attendees at a discounted rate of $79 a night, if booked by March 4. For room information, contact Toftrees at (800) 252-3551.
- Events on this date.