Natural History Workshops for 2013

Several new Natural History Workshops for 2013 have just been added to the PVAS website. Registration is open for Backyard Birding, Project Wild Aquatic, Exploring Vernal Pools, Ecology and History of the Chesapeake Bay, and Natural History of Fish!  Go to www.potomacaudubon.org, then choose Events, Adults, Natural History Workshops.  The links there will take you to the event information.  Or, go to the events calendar and scroll through.

Feed the Birds!

Attend a free webinar designed to help you connect youth with birds through backyard feeders.  http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdsleuth/webinars

Watershed App from EPA

Check out the free Watershed Academy webinar entitled “How’s My Waterway? and Other Water Quality Apps”on Nov. 28,  2012 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm EST.  These new apps have great potential to let users quickly learn about waterways anywhere. EPA recently launched a new app and website to help people find information on the condition of thousands of lakes, rivers and streams across the United States from their smart phone, tablet or desktop computer.  http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts

Scenes from the Annual Meeting

Members of the Class of 2012.  Congratulations to you all (and those who were unable to attend).  Shown: Linda Mercer, Mary Lynn Robinson, Joette Borzik, Jen Jones, Marie VanValkenburgh.

Congratulations also to those who have achieved 5 years of active service with PVMN!
Shown: Debbie Crouse, Eldon Winston, Virginia Winston, Sandi Bloom.

PVMN Annual Meeting--Don't Miss It!

PVMN Annual Meeting this Saturday, November 10, at Orchard House (4599 Shepherdstown Rd, just 3 miles west of the 4 way stop in Shepherdstown).  Visit with old friends, meet new ones, and congratulate this year's graduates!  Come at 11 a.m. with a dish to share, an item for the silent auction, and money to bid!  All proceeds from the auction help with scholarships for next year.

Fall Bird Feeding

Most people think of stocking their feeders in the winter when nature’s bounty is scarce, but many birds begin caching seeds in fall to store for the winter ahead. Here are a few tips for making your backyard attractive to birds this fall:
Set up suet feeders: Suet (beef fat) helps birds keep up the fat reserves that they need to stay warm. If summer weather is still holding on in your area be sure to pick up “no melt” suet cakes or use one part peanut butter to five parts cornmeal which you can spread on tree bark or pine cones.
Place feeders the right distance from windows: Feeder location is very important; approximately one billion birds die in the U.S. each year from window collisions. The best way to prevent fatal collisions is to place your feeder within 3 feet or more than 30 feet from windows. Placing feeders within 3 feet of windows ensures that birds do not have much room to gain speed, reducing the number of fatal collisions.
Hummingbird feeders: Hummingbirds need to double their body mass in order to store enough energy for migration. This fall keep your nectar feeders stocked with sugar water (four parts water to one part white sugar boiled for 1-2 minutes) and be sure to place them in the shade and clean them regularly.

Go Hiking!

Join veteran trail hikers Dave and Brenda Michener for a short hike up to Jefferson's Rock at Harpers Ferry on Saturday, October 20. Meet at the Harpers Ferry train station at 9:00 a.m.  There is no fee for the hike but parking in the train station lot will cost $5.  The date of this hike is only five days short of the 229th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's visit to the place now known as Jefferson's Rock, on October 25, 1783.  This hike will be relatively easy but it will include some steep steps. It will take about an hour. It will take place rain or shine.  Wear sturdy footwear and dress appropriately for the weather.  Pre-registration on the PVAS website is encouraged but not required.