LIBERTY BIRD ALLIANCE

CHECK THE EVENTS CALENDAR ON THE WEBSITE!

We urge members to stay current on upcoming bird walks, field trips and programs through the website. Our calendar of events provides the activities dates, and description of all of our activities. The link for registration for these events and other details are listed. This edition of the UPDATES will simply list the schedule of upcoming activities and direct you to the website to learn more! Many of our events request preregistration. Go to libertybirdalliance.org and preregister for those events where requested.

SPECIAL AND REGULAR MONTHLY PROGRAMS

Our regular monthly programs are scheduled from September through May. Our programs take place at the Upper Dublin Public Library, 520 Virginia Drive, Fort Washington, PA 19034 and are typically scheduled for the third Friday of each month with variations due to holidays. Programs are free! We welcome all members and friends for refreshments provided at 6:30 PM before the presentations at 7:00 PM. We encourage registrations for our programs and offer the programs via zoom for individuals not able to attend in person.

PROTECTING BIRDS FROM COLLISIONS WITH GLASS!

Leigh Altadonna

3:00 PM, Friday April 12, 2025

Jenkintown Public Library

460 York Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046

This is part of a special Intergenerational Project coordinated by Katherine Falso, our Liberty Bird Alliance Education Committee Co-chair, with the Jenkintown EAC and Bird Town. Leigh Altadonna will present a program that explains the dangers posed to birds by windows and other reflective surfaces. Over 1 billion birds die each year in the United States each year from these collisions. While mass mortality events in big cities have received news coverage, most collisions and deaths occur in buildings that are four stories or less – like our homes. This presentation will explain these threats and steps that have been taken in Bird Safe Philly. More importantly, the presentation will provide concrete and simple ways individuals can address their own properties.

No preregistration is required. Just walk in from the front door or back. We will be in a room in the back of the library stacks.

THE STATUS OF THE RED KNOT AND THEIR MIGRATION

Larry Niles, Ph.D., Wildlife Restoration Partnerships

7:00 PM, Friday, April 18, 2025

Upper Dublin Public Library

520 Virginia Drive, Fort Washington, PA 19034

Dr. Niles returns to the Liberty Bird Alliance to provide us with the most UpToDate science and assessment of the status of the Red Knot. The Delaware Bay is a critical stopover site for this long-range migrant. Their arrival in May is choreographed with the spawning of the Horseshoe Crab. The threats to the Horseshoe Crab have had a critical impact on the Red Knot populations. Join us in learning about these threats and what we can do as concerned individuals and as the Liberty Bird Alliance to address these threats!

MINDFUL BIRDING WORKSHOP

Holly Merker and Dr. Barbara Patterson

8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday, April 19, 2025

Discovery Center

3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19121

Have you heard of mindful birding or participated in a mindful birding program? This practice is gaining popularity due to the health benefits of immersing yourself in nature, and the accessibility that wild birds offer to people in urban and suburban settings. This training is for you if you want to learn more about mindful birding, leading a mindful birding-oriented trip, or incorporate these techniques into your birding experiences. This FREE event is hosted by The Discovery Center in Philadelphia and led by The Mindful Birding Project, a grant sponsored project, with Dr. Barbara Patterson and Holly Merker.

BIRD WALKS AND FIELD TRIPS

Saturday, April 5, 2025,             8:00AM to 9:00AM           

Dixon Meadow Preserve Bird Walk

Tuesday, April 8, 2025,             8:00 AM to 10:00 AM          

The Highlands Mansion and Garden Bird Walk

Saturday, April 12, 2025,           8:30 AM to 10:30 AM          

Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust

Tuesday, April 15, 2025,           8:00 AM to 10:00 AM          

Abington Bird Town Bird Walk at Lorimer Park

Saturday April 19, 2025,            8:00 AM to 10:00 AM          

Cheltenham Bird Town Bird Walk at High School Park

Saturday April 19, 2025,            8:00 AM to 10:00 AM          

Whitby Meadow Bird Walk

Saturday April 19, 2025,            8:30 AM to 10:30 AM          

Upper Dublin Bird Town Bird Walk at Robbins Park

Tuesday, April 22, 2025,           8:00 AM to 10:00 AM          

The Highlands Mansion and Garden Bird Walk

Sunday, April 27, 2025,             8:00 AM to 10:00 AM         

Lower Fredrick Bird Town Bird Walk at Green Lane Park

BIRD SAFE PHILLY!

Liberty Bird Alliance continues its support of Bird Safe Philly and encourages our members and friends to step up measures to protect birds as spring migration is underway. There are several actions individuals can undertake to reduce the threats we pose to migrating birds:

• Participate in LIGHTS OUT (April 1^st through May 31^st) by turning off or reducing unnecessary light on your home and properties.
• Install deterrents on your windows at home and work to help prevent bird deaths that result from collisions with glass and other reflective surfaces.
• Volunteer for Bird Safe Philly as a Monitor or Injured Bird Transport Driver!
• Support the Liberty Bird Alliance’s BIRDATHON Team, the SWIFTS, who will once again be asking for your support for funds to support Bird Safe Philly!

Learn more and get more details on each of these actions at birdsafephilly.org

BIRDATHON 2025

The Liberty Bird Alliance’s “SWIFTS” Birdathon Team will once again take to the field on May 2^nd and 3^rd as part of the Greater Philadelphia Area Birdathon. We will be attempting to tally more bird species in the friendly competition with other teams attempting to raise money for their respective organizations and bird conservation causes. Note that the SWIFTS Team will be seeking the support of our Liberty Bird Alliance members and friends to help us continue the important support we provide to Bird Safe Philly. Look for our appeal coming later this month in the mail and on-line. There will be more details about our effort and ways for you to give! This is one of the most important fundraisers we undertake specifically for Bird Safe Philly!

Puerto Rico: Boricua Birds

December 1 to 7, 2025

Leaders: Jason Hall, InColorBirding & Troy Bynum, Liberty Bird Alliance

This is a Hillstar tour to Puerto Rico that begins in San Juan and making a loop around this rectangular island. The trip will seek not just the eighteen or so endemic birds, but also a greater understanding and appreciation of an island that is so much a part of the United States, yet geographically remote from most of us. Jason Hall and Troy Bynum will lead this trip. This Hillstar adventure is being promoted by InColorBirding, Liberty Bird Alliance, and the

Delaware Valley Ornithological Club. There are a few openings that remain – act now to secure a spot on this trip! For more details on itinerary and costs go to:

https://www.hillstarnature.com/puerto-rico-boricua-birds-2025

CHECK OUT THE “CALENDAR” ON THE LIBERTY BIRD ALLIANCE WEBSITE TO KEEP UP WITH SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS!

https://libertybirdalliance.org/events/

YOU ARE WHAT HOPE LOOKS LIKE TO A BIRD!

Liberty Bird Alliance - Formerly Wyncote Audubon Society

libertybirdalliance@gmail.com

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