Mengel Natural History Society 2022-2023 Berks County, Pennsylvania .Updated September 24, 2023. Return to Berks County Nature home page.

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."

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

   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.

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