The tradition of birding at Tyler Arboretum has deep roots. Since the 1970s, we’ve hosted weekly bird walks and for the past 35 years, Tyler has been an active participant in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Birds “flock” to Tyler, as we are one of the remaining green spaces in Delco and if you consider Ridley State Park next door, we are in total 3,250 acres of open land for birds to feed, nest, rest and hopefully be seen.
Tyler has also been identified as an Important Bird Area by the Pennsylvania Audubon Society. It is part of an area referred to as Upper Ridley/Crum Important Area which includes Tyler Arboretum, Ridley Creek State Park, and a large area of privately owned land north of Route 3. To be identified as an Important Bird Area, the region must be critical as a migratory staging area, a winter roost site or a prime breeding spot.
The history of birding at Tyler begins, as so many things do, with the Painter family back in the 1800s. John Cassin (1813 to 1869), a friend of Minshall Painter, was fascinated by the natural sciences, particularly birds. Together with three other men, they founded the Delaware County Institute of Science in 1833. When Cassin moved to Philadelphia, he joined the Academy of Natural Sciences, first as honorary curator and later as both the vice president and corresponding secretary. At the time, the Academy had the largest ornithological collection in the United States. During his 26 years at the Academy, Cassin focused on research and the classification of species. He was able to classify 193 new species of birds, wrote 3 books and many articles about his findings. As a major figure in 19th Century ornithology, his colleagues honored him by naming nine birds after him, including five American species. As a friend of Minshall Painter, it is quite likely that he spent some early days studying birds in what is now the Tyler Arboretum. Ultimately, Cassin built on his knowledge of birds to become a major contributor to the science of birds throughout the world.
That proud tradition of observing the natural world, and birds in particular, continues to this day. In the 1970’s, beginner and seasoned birders began our weekly bird walks, which were led then by Tom Reeves. These weekly walks continue now with Sue Lucas and Sarah Boucas-Neto. Sue was mentored by Tom. Both Sue and Sarah will tell you that because of the diversity of habitats — meadows, woodlands and wetlands, visitors will be able to see a multitude of bird species. In spring and fall, migrating birds use Tyler as a stopover, while other birds, such as bluebirds, return to nest year after year. Some birds, like cardinals and chickadees, make Tyler their permanent home. Whenever you come and wherever you go, you will find birds at Tyler Arboretum.
Just as John Cassin used his observations to do important scientific work, birding at Tyler isn’t just for fun. Every year a team of birders participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, an important citizen science effort that dates back to the turn of the century.
Many years ago, a traditional Christmas activity for hunters was called the Christmas “Side Hunt.” Most modern day people would be aghast of what this holiday event was about — teams would be chosen, and the winning side was the group that killed the most birds and animals. Unfortunately, this was very popular.
But by the late 1800s, scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Ornithologist, Frank M. Chapman suggested a new Christmas custom – counting birds instead of shooting them. The first Christmas Bird Count occurred on Christmas Day 1900. Twenty – seven participants counted about 18,500 individual birds in 25 areas across the United States and Canada, including the Delaware River Meadows in Tinicum Township and Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. One hundred twenty years later, tens of thousands of volunteers join groups between December 14 and January 5 to count and record their bird sightings. This data is used by the Audubon Society and others to measure the health of the bird population and to help determine what conservation actions to take.
This year, we will be once again be heading out to count birds on Saturday, December 19th as part of our Annual Christmas Bird Count:
Owl Prowl, 5am to 7am and Christmas Bird Count, 8am to 12pm
We will start the day with an Owl Prowl for those who would like to join us from 5am to 7am. For the rest of us, the Christmas Bird Count will start at 8am. Due to COVID 19 restrictions and recommendations from the Audubon society, we have very limited spaces. We also ask that all beginner birders sit this one out, but do join us on the weekly bird walks and/ or participate in the Feederwatch program.
And for those who want to get in on backyard bird watching fun, Tyler is having a Bird Seed Sale. Pick up day is December 12.
Our Christmas Bird Count and Seed Sale 2020 is funded by Elwyn Pharmacy.
