NEXT EVENTS
Held in McConnell Hall at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.
October 27, 2023 Friday 7:30 PM
An IN-PERSON meeting.
"Home Sweet Habitat" by Marcy Engleman, Senior Coordinator, Conservation
Education, Audubon, Mill Grove, PA. Hummingbirds, bright goldfinches, and colorful bluebirds,
oh my! Do you want to learn more about how to attract birds like these? Discover how to
create bird-friendly habitat for birds that are looking for a place to call home or to
rest and refuel during their migration. Program followed by the Fall Seed Exchange and Give-away. All welcome. Free.
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ABOUT THE MENGEL NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
The Mengel Natural History Society originated as the Natural History
Hikers in the 1930's, was renamed the Mengel Natural History Society in
1941, and incorporated as a non profit organization in 1956.
The By-Laws state: "The purposes of the Society
are the stimulation of interest and study in natural history in all its
branches, the promotion and diffusion of scientific knowledge, and the
creation of the scientific spirit."
ACTIVITIES
* Monthly Meetings with Lecture
* Field Trips for Wildflowers, Butterflies,
Dragonflies, etc.
* Annual Wildflower Exchange and
give-away and annual
* Wildflower Seed give-away.
* Show & Tell plus Members’
Night for your participation
* A place to meet other people interested
in the natural world
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MEETINGS
The Society meets once a month from September though
April at
Nolde
Forest Environmental Education Center,
on PA-625 2 miles south of PA-724. (2910 New Holland Road, Reading, PA.)
Usually on the fourth Friday
of the month. In November we meet jointly with the Berks Mineralogical
Society (on the second Tuesday) and in December we meet jointly with the
Baird Ornithological Club (on the second Friday). In May we meet at a local
restaurant for a dinner meeting. Joint meetings may be held at another
location. We also sponsor field trips.
The public is welcome at any of the activities. All
lectures and field trips are free.
If you are interested in joining the Society, you may pay dues at any
meeting or mail them in.
Dues year is September to September,
Download
dues form (2023-2024) as PDF
Dues
-- No change from last year.
Active Member $10 Family Membership $13
Sustaining Member $13 Junior Member-$5
DOWNLOADS
The "Programs and Field Trips" brochure for
2023-2024 is available in PDF format
at: Mengel Brochure 2023-24.
(Updated: September 18, 2023)
The landscape formatted two page
brochure can be printed two sided with 'short-edge' binding or printed one side at a time.
Butterfly, Moth, Dragonfly, and Wildflower
Walks in Berks County, Pennsylvania - 2024.
(Updated: September 18, 2024)
(Programs & Field Trips) -
2023-2024 Season
For information: 484-883-6461
September 22, 2023 Friday 7:30 PM
"Damsels and Dragons - Flys That Is!" by member Anthony (Doc) Schoch. A digital
presentation about these iconic insects will focus on their anatomy, life cycle, indication
of water quality, identification and their place in the food chain of wetlands, lakes,
ponds and streams. Gain a new perspective on dragonflies.
After the presentation, we will have the opportunity to share recent
sightings, observations, etc. Come for the information and catch the enthusiasm.
All welcome. Free.
The program will be
followed by the Fall Native Plant Exchange and Give-away.
All welcome. Free.
October 27, 2023 Friday 7:30 PM
An IN-PERSON meeting.
"Home Sweet Habitat" by Marcy Engleman, Senior Coordinator, Conservation
Education, Audubon, Mill Grove. Hummingbirds, bright goldfinches, and colorful bluebirds,
oh my! Do you want to learn more about how to attract birds like these? Discover how to
create bird-friendly habitat for birds that are looking for a place to call home or to
rest and refuel during their migration. Program followed by the Fall Seed Exchange and Give-away.
November 14, 2023
Tuesday 7:30 PM
IN-PERSON at the Reading
Museum.
"To be announced" Joint meeting with the Berks Mineralogical Society with the
Berks Mineralogical
Society hosting the program. Enter at the back of the Museum on South Parkside
Drive.
December 9, 2022 Zoom Only
 
Friday 7:30 PM.
"Looking Forward to a Third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas" by Andy Wilson, Assoc.
Prof. of Environmental Studies, Gettysburg College. Bird Atlas projects provide periodic
in-depth snapshots of bird distributions and status across large areas, such as states or
countries. Andy will talk about plans for the five-year 3rd PA Bird Atlas project which
will be designed to engage thousands of birders, of all experience levels, across the
state.
Joint meeting with the Baird
Ornithological Club on their meeting night with Baird hosting.
January 26, 2024 Friday 7:30 PM
"Members' Night" Members' opportunity to present. Program will consist of
three or four short programs by members. See an officer if you have a program to share.
February 23, 2024 Friday 7:30 PM
"Health Update for PA Forests"
by Richard J. Hartlieb, Asst. District Forester, Department of Conservation & Natural
Resources, Bureau of Forestry. He will review 2023 defoliation surveys, spongy moth
forecasts, beach leaf disease, and other pest issues. He will also review the latest
updates on the restoration of the American Chestnut. The Darling 58 transgenic tree
is under federal review, and he will discuss the current timeline and distribution.
Some time in late February or March.
Herp Helper Night for Spotted Salamanders at French Creek State Park.
Contact Lori Soraparu ( )
to get on e-mail contact list. See a few or dozens of spotted and four-toed
salamanders, wood frogs and other herps. This event happens every year. You and your
children should see it at least once in your lifetime.
Volunteers must check in at the French Creek State
Park Headquarter lobby (located on
Park Road, 843 Park Rd, Elverson, PA 19520) to sign in, pick up a reflective safety vest
and a data collection sheet.
You are welcome to participate even if it is for just a portion of the evening.
Emergence is weather dependent. Often a
windy or foggy night, always rainy.
More information.
March 22, 2024
Friday 7:30 PM
"To be announced"
All welcome. Free.
April 26, 2024 Friday 7:30 PM
"To be announced"
Lecture is followed by our annual Spring Wildflower
Exchange and Giveaway.
All welcome. Free.
April 27, 2024
Saturday 10:00 AM FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly, Bird, and Botany Walk" on
Neversink Mountain. Butterflies, birds and plants. We will view
at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and
put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them.
A checklist of the 59 species of butterflies known from the mountain will be provided.
Meet at S. 10th and South Street Reading. Park on South Street. Joint
walk with Baird Ornithological Club
.
Leaders: Karl Gardner, 610-987-3281, and Ryan Woolwine 484-883-6461.
All welcome. Free.
Photograph is of a Brown Elfin, a scarce spring flying butterfly found
in only a few Berks Co. locations.
May 10, 2024
Banquet. "pOrnithology: The Birds and the Birds and the Bees" by George Armistead.
A review of interesting and unusual courtship and reproductive habits of birds, littered
with copious innuendo and anthropomorphism to keep the concepts firmly in perspective.
Joint meeting with the
Baird Ornithological Club on their meeting day. Details later.
June 8, 2024 Saturday 10 AM
FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly Identification Walk" at
Green Hills Preserve We
will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and
put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them.
A checklist of the 40 species of butterflies known from the park will be provided.
Take PA-10 south to PA-568. Turn right (west) for 1/2 mile to Gunhart Rd.
Turn right. Park on right in about 1/4 mile. (553 Gunhart Rd., Mohnton, PA 19540)
Joint walk with Baird
Ornithological Club. Leaders: Karl Gardner 610-987-3281
and Ryan Woolwine 484-883-6461. Bad weather will cancel (or reschedule).
All welcome. Free.
June 22, 2024
Saturday 10 AM - noon FIELD TRIP
"Dragonflies & Damselflies at Hay Creek-Birdsboro Reservoir" Joint
walk with Baird Ornithological Club.
An opportunity to visit this interesting habitat with others who can identify
the dragonflies, damselflies, and other insects, animals, and plants found here.
Meet at Old 82 & Parking Area, 2000 Hay Creek Rd, Birdsboro, PA. From traffic light
at Rtes. 568 and 724 in Gibraltar, take 568 west approximately 1.5 miles and turn left on
White Bear Rd. Drive 4 miles through 2 stop signs and turn left on Hay Creek Rd. Drive to
the dead end and park on the shoulder. Coordinators: Mike Slater paplantings@gmail.com,
Todd Underwood (underwoo@kutztown.edu) & Karl Gardner 610-987-3281.
Binoculars and a camera will be helpful. For a good look we will capture some insects
and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them.
All are welcome. Children Friendly. Free.
June 29, 2024 Saturday 8:30
PM to ? FIELD TRIP
"Moth Night at Nolde Environmental
Edu Center." A joint event with the
Baird Ornithological Club. Enjoy the Katydids with friends and
family as leaders bait trees and hang sheets to bring in the night insects.
Jim Eckert will present "Introduction to Moths" in McConnell Hall at 8:30 PM.
A flashlight and a camera would be helpful. Who knows what will turn up?
Meet at picnic area behind main parking lot. Use main entrance and turn left at "T".
Leaders are Jim Eckert 610-373-1064 and Ryan Woolwine
484-883-6461.
All are welcome. Children Friendly. Free.
Here are photographs of 29 of the many
species seen on this walk in July
2021.
July 20, 2024 Saturday 10 AM - Noon
FIELD TRIP
"Wildflowers and Pollinators: Union Meadows West"
A meandering path through this former ball field converted to a pollinator meadow
provides good access for observing and netting a variety of species. Route 724 (East Main
St., Birdsboro)
(turn opposite St. Michael's Cemetery) parking in the ball field lot. Leader: Mike Slater.
Coordinator: Linda Ingram (610-621-7473).
Joint walk with Baird
Ornithological Club.
All are welcome. Children Friendly. Free. Bad weather will cancel (or reschedule).
August 3, 2024 Saturday 10 AM
FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly Identification Walk" at Blue Marsh.
We will view at a distance and for a good look we will
capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a
close look before releasing them. A checklist of the 48 species of
butterflies known from the park will be provided. Meet at the Blue Marsh Visitor's
Center off of Palisades Drive.
Joint walk with Baird Ornithological Club.
Leaders: Karl Gardner 610-987-3281 and Ryan Woolwine 484-883-6461. All welcome. Free.
Photograph is of a Hackberry Emperor, a species often seen at this location in August.
August 17, 2024 Saturday 10 AM
FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly Identification Walk" at Angelica Park. We will view
at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and
put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them.
A checklist of the 39 species of
butterflies known from the park will be provided.
Take PA-10 south from Lancaster Avenue 1-1/4 miles. The park entrance road
is on the right at the big masonry sign for Alvernia University. Turn right
and park at the first parking area on the right. (575 St. Bernardine Street)
Joint walk with Baird
Ornithological Club. Leaders: Karl Gardner 610-987-3281
and Ryan Woolwine 484-883-6461. Bad weather will cancel (or reschedule).
All welcome. Free. Report:
Here is a list of the 37
species
seen on 6 walks from 2017 to 2023 at Angelica Park.
To receive
email notices of programs and field trips sponsored by the Mengel Natural
History Society send an email request to
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