Stopover Ecology of Landbird Migrants: Why It’s Good to be Fat and Other Migratory Tales
June 16 • 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join us at the Van Scott Nature Reserve for a presentation on avian migration and research conducted in Northeast Pennsylvania with Dr. Robert Smith and Dr. Meg Hatch. The program will hopefully include the temporary capture of live birds for attendees to see these migrants and residents up close.
Drs. Hatch and Smith are especially interested in the ecology of migratory birds. Dr. Smith earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi in Biology and is a Professor of Biology at the University of Scranton. Dr. Hatch earned her Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky in Biology and is an Associate Professor of Biology at Penn State Scranton. Current projects include 1) habitat use, and particularly the fitness consequences of migrant landbirds using habitats dominated by exotic vegetation, 2) relationships between songbird migration ecology, ecoimmunology, avian blood parasites and feather mites, 3) intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing songbird arrival/passage timing, and 4) assessment of habitat use by fall migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls within Lackawanna State Park.
The event fee is $5 for Conservancy members and $10 for non-members. Kids under 12 are free. Advance registration is requested.