The Extraordinary Caterpillar Zoom Program

THE EXTRAORDINARY CATERPILLAR

ZOOM PROGRAM:  Friday, March 20, 2026, 7:00 pm

To join, please register at this link: https://lehigh.zoom.us/meeting/register/R_tQIqzvQrOTBPxh7Tfacg
Note:  You may register at any time up to the start of the meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Do you love songbirds? Do you know how important caterpillars are to them? We’re hosting a special screening of The Extraordinary Caterpillar, a beautifully shot 60-minute documentary that reveals the vital—and often overlooked—role caterpillars play in our ecosystems. Peek into the world of nature’s tiniest superheroes!

Watch the trailer here! [https://vimeo.com/1117213704](https://homegrownnationalpark.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ce919e78833f25cf86f5047ac&id=8807d1617f&e=b36aceae54&i=0c26d4893d)

From blooming meadows to city parks and backyard gardens, this inspiring film celebrates the magic of nature while showing practical ways to make a difference.  Along the way, you’ll see the groundbreaking work of The Caterpillar Lab, entomologist David Wagner, and Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park.  You'll hear inspiring stories about why caterpillars are essential to healthy ecosystems and learn simple steps you can take to create habitat in your own yard or community. This is a chance to see nature in a whole new light—and to be part of the movement to bring it home. 

Barred Owls of the Minsi Lake Greenway Online Presentation

Please join Lehigh Valley Audubon Society on Zoom as James Wilson, Recreation Specialist with the Northampton County Parks and Recreation, discusses his work with the Barred Owl Nestbox Monitoring Project.

Friday. February 13, 2026 @ 7 pm

Barred Owlets Photo Credit: Jim Wilson, Friends of Minsi Lake

We will learn about the purpose and importance of projects like this, along with results of their work. 

Upon registering at this link below, you’ll receive a confirmation email:

https://lehigh.zoom.us/meeting/register/WA5DAkTJSv-tkdQfMY38RA

CANCELLED -- Birding Trip to Beltzville State Park

Due to the extremely cold weather forecast and the frozen lake, the trip to Beltzville State Park is CANCELLED. 

Rob hopes to reschedule it sometime later this winter.

Beltzville Lake is one of the premier locations for waterfowl in our area, and Winter is a great time for a wide variety of ducks and other waterfowl.

Saturday, Jan 24 · 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST

Photo of a male Ruddy Duck by Dave DeReamus

We'll scan the lake from a few vantage points for waterfowl, while keeping an eye on the nearby fields and forests for other birds. A scope is not needed, but if you have one please bring it along.

Where:  Beltzville State Park, 2950 Pohopoco Dr · Lehighton, PA

Meet at: Beltzville State Park, Parking Lot A for Pavilion #4, located at 40.861464, -75.624825

Leader: Rob Bergstresser (570-657-0990); For questions, please contact Rob

LVAS Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/lehigh-valley-audubon-society/events/312541838/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

Location via Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B051'41.1%22N+75%C2%B037'28.9%22W/@40.86142,-75.6247,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d40.86142!4d-75.6247?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

A Few Basic Field Trip Guidelines:

• Cell phones should be on silent or vibrate mode.

• Keep voices low while birding to minimize disturbance of the birds and allow others in the group to hear the birds and learn their songs.

• Keep pace with the trip leader. Please do not jump ahead or fall behind.

• Bring your binoculars.

• Beginners and experienced birders all welcome!

• Have fun!

Never miss a guided walk or other LVAS event; become a member of our chapter!

12th Annual CBC4Kids Held!

Saturday, January 10, 2026 dawned with a threat of rain. Luckily, the rain held off until just after Lehigh Valley Audubon Society’s 12th annual CBC4Kids was over!

Eleven children from ages 4 to 10 spent time in our classroom at Muhlenberg College learning the purpose of bird counts, how to identify birds, and how to use binoculars. Then everyone piled into cars for a short drive to three local parks, and the three teams got to work spotting and recording birds. 

One of 3 bird counting teams of children who participated in Lehigh Valley Audubon Society’s 12th annual CBC4Kids on January 10, 2026

Altogether, the Crazy Crows, the Nutty Nuthatches, and the Mysterious Marshmallow Mallards counted 411 birds of 22 different species. Highlights included a Merlin, five species of duck, several Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a Mute Swan strolling down the middle of the road. 

The morning concluded with snacks, a tally of the birds recorded, and a visit to the ornithology museum of Muhlenberg College. Kids left with a National Geographic bird book for children and other fun and educational materials. We hope they also left with the start of a lifetime habit of appreciating and conserving birds.

This year, LVAS volunteer Kelly Patla accompanied Team Nutty Nuthatches in the field and provided a video for us to enjoy. Watch the video here!

Event organizers: Barbara Malt and Chad Schwartz.

We thank everyone who contributed as helpers in the classroom and in the field: Peter Saenger, Dan Pokras, Mark Boyd, Jon Levin, and Kelly and Nathan Patla.

And thanks to all of our LVAS members who support this program and others with your membership dollars and donations!

Article written by Barbara Malt and published January 2026 in THE OSPREY VOLUME 50 • NUMBER 1.

THE OSPREY is the Quarterly Newsletter of The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, provided first only to LVAS members.

Get all the latest news and event notifications by joining our Chapter of the The National Audubon Society.

Bird Watching Field Trip to Allentown Lakes

join lvas president, Barbara Malt, to check out some local lakes in Allentown for waterfowl and other birds.

Saturday, Jan 17 · 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM EST

These lakes are spring-fed and do not typically freeze, attracting a nice variety of waterfowl in the winter. We will begin at Trexler Memorial Park, and then will drive to a couple other local lakes.

Bufflehead photo by Dave DeReamus

Meet at the Trexler Memorial Park parking lot off Springhouse Road (40.590167, -75.529470)
Leader: Barbara Malt (610-657-2582)

Never miss a guided walk or other LVAS event; become a member of our chapter!

Winter Ducks of Pennsylvania Presentation

learn about wintering ducks.

Friday, Jan 16 · 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EST

For those that missed this LVAS Zoom program on January 16 or those who wish to see it again, use this link to access the program recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gefMHzu2iDc

Northern Pintail Photo credit: Mick Thompson

This talk will provide an overview of dabbling and diving ducks that can be seen in winter in the Lehigh Valley. We will discuss the variety of ducks found here, their habits and habitats, why they are here, and how they survive Pennsylvania winters.

Perfect for beginning and intermediate birders who would like to get to know the wintering ducks.
We hope you can join us.

Never miss a presentation or other LVAS event; become a member of our chapter!