122nd Christmas Bird Count

The good news is there will be a Christmas Bird Count this season in Tioga County. The Cowanesque circle count will take place on December 19, and the Mansfield-Wellsboro count will take place on January 1, as in the past. The bad news is that because of the covid-19 situation, there will be no annual luncheon for the counters. We will contact last year's participants to work out assignments. Because of covid social-distancing rules, some of last year's teams may have to be broken up, so it may take some time to get everything coordinated. As you know, these are difficult times, and we do appreciate everyone's concern and cooperation.

Dark-eyed Junco

All Meetings Cancelled Until Further Notice because of Coronavirus

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has forced us to cancel all activities in April, May, and June, including our spring bird walks at Hills Creek State Park. It  may be possible to resume some activities later in the summer; however that is not certain. We will keep you informed if anything changes.

February 19, 2020 Meeting -- Landscape-Scale Bird Conservation

Please Join us in the Large Group Presentation Classroom at Wellsboro High School on February 19 for a program on "landscape scale" bird consevation by Dr Jeffery Larkin. We will post signs with directions to the room; same place as for the puffin talk last year. Business meeting starts at 6:00 and the program at 7:00.

Title: "Importance of landscape-scale bird conservation across private and public forest lands in Pennsylvania" by Dr. Jeffrey Larkin.

Description: Several studies have recently examined nesting and post-fledging habitat selection of many at-risk, forest-dependent songbirds. Collectively, this research provides a substantial body of evidence that suggests forest bird conservation is intimately tied to landscape context and configuration and within-stand structural complexity, regardless of nesting guild. As such, strategically increasing forest age class diversity has become an important focus of many forest-bird conservation efforts. This presentation will provide examples of successes and insight as to how a well-funded and well-organized partnership can overcome the many constraints that can often inhibit large-scale conservation implementation. The talk will be geared toward a diverse audience from private landowners, birders, and conservation organizations.

Wellsboro Becomes First Pennsylvania Bird Town Outside of Southeast Pennsylvania

What is a Bird Town? Bird Town is a working partnership of Audubon and municipalities in Pennsylvania to promote conservation and community-based actions to create a healthy, more sustainable environment for birds and people.

Audubon provides the tools for the municipality to engage their residents, schools and businesses in making more ecologically-friendly decisions, conserving energy and in the process, saving money. A Bird Town makes efforts to restore valuable ecosystem services to create a culture of conservation where everyone is a potential steward of nature in their backyard and beyond.

What does it mean for Wellsboro? A concerted effort by Wellsboro and its partners to promote efforts in working towards a more sustainable natural environment with healthier yards, schools and parks.
Initial Goals!!
• Promote the Borough of Wellsboro Bird Town designation
• Install Bird Town Signs
• Expand the Bird Town Partnerships
• Encourage residents to register their properties in the Bird Habitat Recognition Program
• Conduct activities and events that support stewardship and develop a sustainable environment.

What Can You Do?
• Get involved by volunteering with Wellsboro’s local partners
• Sign up for the Bird Habitat Recognition Program
• Most of all: encourage our youth of today to help make a difference in their environment in the future!!!!!!!

April 17 Meeting -- Conservation of Tioga County Orchids

We have all seen the beautiful tropical orchids, but how many of you have seen any of the exceptionally beautiful native orchids growing right here in the wilds of Tioga County?  How many native orchids are there in Tioga County?  Do they need conservation?  If you would like answers to these and any other questions you may have regarding native orchids, come to a free presentation entitled “Conservation of Tioga County Orchids” at the Old Music Room, Wellsboro School Admin Building, on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 7:00 pm.  Presenters will be Mark Simonis Tioga County Botanist and Chris Firestone, Botanist with the PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry.

Directions - drive past the main entrance of the Admin building, turn left and follow the building all the way around to the back.  You will pass a maintenance shed/building.  Go in the back entrance and follow the signs to the meeting room. The program will start at 7:00 pm.