The Naturalist Notebook

As we mentioned in a previous blog entry, this is our 15th winter particpating in Project FeederWatch here at Shaver’s Creek. Here are a few of the common birds that we’ve seen, and that you might see at your feeder this winter: Purple Finches often forage on seeds, fruits and insects and are a common…

Here at Shaver’s Creek we have 21 birds of prey in our raptor center. All of them have sustained some kind of injury that would prevent them from being able to survive in the wild with the exception of our American Kestrel, who was raised illegally as a pet before coming to us. The Shaver’s…

Shaver's Creek is beginning its 15th year with Project FeederWatch, a winter-long survey of feeder birds.  FeederWatchers count birds at their feeder on a weekly basis and the information helps scientists track the movement of winter birds throughout the season. It is a great way to improve your birding skills, relax and have a good…

This fall I have taken to recording some of my observations of the natural world in a journal. I find this practice to be instructive and rewarding because it enables me to document new discoveries and to reflect upon capacities that I would like to cultivate. The following observations are excerpts from my journal…. Observations…

In the summer of 2009, our friends at Penn State Dirt & Gravel Roads gave us a detailed improvement plan for our Point Trail.  The trail was narrow, washed out in several locations, and treacherous, including a steep and root-lined section down to the point.  Beginning August 20, 2009, volunteer groups from Penn State University,…

One of the many advantages of being an intern at Shaver's Creek and living in the countryside of central Pennsylvania is the ability to enjoy clear, starry night skies.  Over the past week or so I have braved the cold and ventured out into the dark woods surrounding the intern house, The Roost, to photograph…

Kids Corner Fall 2010.pdf Download this file Don’t forget that Kids Corner starts today! Today’s topic is insects, and the program is free thanks to the sponsorship of Growing Tree Toys.

Spring 2011 Discovery “Block” Semester Information Session: Tuesday, November 2nd, 4:15—5:15 p.m., 808 Ford Building At Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, we believe that an integrated, experiential-based semester can facilitate powerful paths to self-discovery. Penn State undergraduates are invited to come to Ford Building tonight to learn more about whether this 19-credit “block” of courses might…

It is Saw-whet owl migration season! On Friday October 30th a few Shaver’s Creek folks assisted the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art research team at one of their owl banding stations. During the autumn season many of these tiny owls travel down from their breeding grounds in Canada and northern United States to…

It is evident that winter is quickly coming by the seemingly overnight bareness of the trees. With the ground covered in deep reds, oranges, and browns, you may be asking yourself, “What do I do about all of these leaves?” Well, here are a few suggestions: 1. You can shred leaves and till them into…