“Hank”, a red tailed hawk, is similar to a turkey vulture with a slightly smaller wing span. Unlike turkey vultures which congregates in groups, red tailed hawks do not congregate. Like all raptors Hank is a carnivore. In the wild, their main diet consists of rodents and snakes but at the nature center their food consists of frozen snakes and rodents unless an unsuspecting snake slithers into their cage. They do not migrate. Red tailed hawks, on the decline due to habitat loss in other areas of the country, are thriving in the Finger Lakes. They weigh about 3 pounds. Because they are on the highest tier of the food chain, they have a life span of 20 years.
“Lucy”, a barred owl, is a specie of owl that is very particular about where it lives. It prefers a habitat that offers very large trees. Their diet consists of field mice, frogs, and small amphibians. Strictly carnivores, they don’t eat as much or often as other raptors because they are sitting more and not flying around. Their call sounds like “who cooks for you”. They weigh between 1 ½ to 2 pounds. Their average life span is from 2-18 years.
McLaughlin explained that due to their hollow bones and their beautiful lush plumage these raptors are lighter weight than would be expected on first sight.
Following a most interesting presentation, members and guests enjoyed a variety of refreshments provided by members of the garden club.
President Andrus opened the business meeting by leading the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. The club welcomed new members Dorothy Shaffer and Bernadette Weston.
Carol Ulmer, Chair of the Fall Festival, reported that sales at this event were the most successful on record.
President Barb Andrus attended the fall board meeting of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania. She reported that the renewal of the Child Protection Clearances has been extended from 3 to 5 years. She also reported that Monarch Watch has seen an increase in the egg laying site in Mexico has increased from 1.13 acres to 2.3 acres.
Monarch Watch is asking people to collect milkweed seeds to help expand the Monarch’s habitat. More information can be found on their website.
Recently members of the club enjoyed a trip to Dr. Holmes’s hosta club in Canton as well as the tree arboretum. They also attended the Bloomsburg State Fair.
A work bee with a date to be announced is planned for the baskets in Troy and the Hill and Exhibit Gardens at Alparon Park.
Penn Cumberland Garden Club is hosting a fall luncheon on November 3 which some members are planning to attend.
The next meeting will be held Nov. 2 at Carol Ulmer’s home. Members are planning to create nose gays for the Christmas Extravaganza which will be held at the State of the Arts building in Troy.
New members are always welcome. For more information, call Barb Andrus at 297-3043. The Heritage Garden Club of Troy is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and National Garden Clubs Inc.