The Dragonfly - Churchville Nature Center

A PUBLICATION OF
CHURCHVILLE NATURE CENTER
BUCKS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
PARKS & RECREATION
“I Come
Here To
Find
Myself,
It Is So Easy
To Get Lost
In The
World”
John Burroughs
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Thank You Donors
2
In Memoriam
3
Through They Eye
Of The Dragonfly
4
Eye of the Dragonfly 5
Continued
Species Spotlight
6
Migratory Marathon 7
Results
Way Back When
8
Way Back When
Continued
9
The
Dragonfly
V O L U M E
4 7 ,
N O .
2
S U M M E R
Reconnect • Recharge
Renew
2 0 1 6
25 Years of Lenape Education
This is the 25th anniversary of the Lenape Village here at Churchville Nature Center. In
the year 1991 the village was authentically built the way it would have been in the 1500s just
prior to European contact. At that time none of the Bucks County school districts were
studying the Indians that lived in this area. Since it is important to know about local history we
thought it was important to learn about the first inhabitants of this area before the Europeans
came. With the help of Dr. Herbert Kraft of Seton Hall University, Dr. William Guthrie of Rider
College, John Kraft of Waterloo Village and Mary Ellen Flynn a Lenape lecturer since 1964
as consultants who had all worked with Nora Thompson Dean, a full blood Lenape from
Oklahoma, we were able to develop a program that shows how the Lenape lived in harmony
with nature for 12,000 years before the Europeans came. The Lenape lived in Eastern
Pennsylvania as far West as Harrisburg, all of New Jersey, the Southern part of New York
and the Northern part of Delaware. This was known as Lenapehoking, Land of the Lenape.
Our village contains one wigwam, two longhouses, a sweat lodge, a hunter’s debris hut,
a food storage pit, a dugout canoe, and a food drying rack all constructed by staff and
volunteers. During formal programs, we have 7 stations that show how the Lenape lived.
Students and visitors can experience the garden, cooking, hunting, fire making, family life,
pottery, and how to make cordage. These are all hands-on stations. Students can do all the
things that a Lenape child would have done 500 years ago. They learn to be thankful for
what they have today, to respect all of nature, to be resourceful, not to waste anything and to
share what they have.
We currently have 6 school districts under contract with us and we educate over 10,000
students a year. Our programming also includes public programs, birthday parties, and
sleepovers on the weekends. We are very thankful to be able to share this information
about the Lenape culture with so many people for the past 25 years.
Please join us for a public program. We have tours every Sunday beginning at 1pm and
the cost is $8 per person. Each Sunday our staff highlight a different aspect of Lenape
Life. The list of topics can
always be found in our
current
activity
guide.
October 23rd we will be
having our Fall “To-koking” Event from 12:00-4:00
and the fee will be $10 per
person.
If you are interested
in our private programs such
as school tours, scout
sleepovers and children’s
birthday parties, or you would
like to join us as a seasonal
Lenape Village Educator,
please contact Marge Custer
at 215-357-4005 ext. 5039.
For more information: (215) 357-4005 ~ www.churchvillenaturecenter.org
52 Years of Education & Preservation
Page 2
The Dragonfly
A Thank You To Our 2016 Wildflower Sale Sponsors
We would like to thank those businesses and corporations that have generously supported our
special events this year. We hope you will consider showing their business support in return.
Larry Weaner Landscape Assoc. – Glenside, PA
Reinard Insurance Agency – Feasterville, PA
Paist & Noe, Inc. Insurance – Richboro, PA
Tall Pine Tree Service – Langhorne, PA
Molnaar Greenhouse – Ivyland, PA
Tinsman, Bros., Inc. – Lumberville, PA
Edward M. Adamow & Sons, Inc. – Ivyland, PA
Joe Saracino, State Farm – Richboro, PA
Somerfield Stables, LLC – Richboro, PA
T.W. Reiss, Inc. – Southampton, PA
Jakes Eatery – Richboro & Newtown, PA
Keith’s Mobile Lock Shop
Sundance Kennels, Inc. – Holland, PA
Tanner Bros. Dairy Store – Ivyland, PA
Thank You Organization Supporters
These local businesses have chosen to support the Churchville Nature Center and its mission. Please join us in
extending our thanks.
Bucks County Aquarium Society  Bucks County Orchid Society  Bucks-Mont Organic Gardeners
Churchville Photography Club  Four Lanes End Garden Club
PA-Delaware Valley Woodcarvers Association  Single Volunteers of Bucks County
Thank You, Donors
We would like to thank all those who have made donations since our last newsletter
Annual Appeal
Linda Messatzzia
Terry & Dan Nagle
Nancy & Edward Nowicki
Marilyn & John Pawling
Barry Pflueger
Gale & Jeff Pollock
Nancy Royal
Steve & Sue Saddlemire
John & Rose Marie Schieber
Richard & Vicky Smith
Michael & Carolyn Sterthous
Gary A. & Regina Stopyra
Peg Thatcher
Harriet & Albert Unrath
Carol Wengert & Bill Dockhorn
Karin Wilson
David & Judith Zeft
Nick Zahn
Migratory Marathon
John Bailey
Barbara Barger
Richard & Isabel Best
Michael Borovicka
Michael J. & Sandra Bowdren
Stephen & Marie Brown-Etris
Jeanne Burford
Marlin & Joann Corn
Robert Deems
Carrie Ferri
William Ford
George & Diane Foos
Sharon & Park Furlong
Beth Ann Gilbert
John and Holly Iskra
Ron & Claire Keefe
Susan Liwak
Laura Lynch & Hans Peters
Margaret McGinnis
Linda Messatzzia
Barb & Jack Monserrat
Barry Pflueger
Diane Sears
Gary A. & Regina Stopyra
Robyn Wells
Joseph J. Zanine
In Honor of…
George Belfield from
Marie Lamb
Eileen Snyder
Joe & Anna Garvin
In Memory of…
P. Lynn Kramer from
Kramer Family
John H. Roth, Sr. from
John Roth
Phyllis St. George
June Rymond from
Ed & Marie Cartwright
Carol Lynn Grezlak
Elaine M. Hagey
Lenis & Richard Van Aken
Tom E. Will
Volume 47, No. 2
52 Years of Education & Preservation
Page 3
In Memoriam
We would like to take the time to pay our respects to several people who passed recently who had an impact on
the nature center.
Mary Ellen Flynn
We first met Mary Ellen Flynn 25 years ago when she came to us as a
consultant during our development of the Lenape Village. She was not only a
Truman High School science teacher at the time, but an amazing fountain of
knowledge on the Lenape.
Her guidance and friendship during the
adolescence of the Lenape village was invaluable and help set the stage for a
program that would educate several hundred thousand school children to date
about our local native peoples.
June Rymond
June Rymond came to the nature center a
number of years ago when a call was put
out for volunteers to help maintain our
wildlife gardens. June became a regular
fixture in the garden for a number of years.
Her sweet smile and green thumb will be
missed.
George Komelasky
We would also like to recognize the passing of CNC life member &
Northampton Supervisor George Komelasky.
George was always a
supporter of the center, and his wife Pat served as a CNC board member.
One of our fondest memories is when he stepped in as auctioneer for a
fundraiser at the last minute and his humor and nudging of the crowd
resulted in a fun and successful evening.
We would like to express our sympathies to their families. The time and friendship of these three
individuals was greatly appreciated and will be missed.
Welcome New Members
We would like to spotlight folks who have joined us as new members of the Friends of Churchville Nature Center since the last issue of the “Dragonfly”.
Amelia Aspell
Dina Augustine
Ann Ault
Glenn & Jerily Barford
Jeff and Cheryl Beatty
Kristina Biddle
Karen Black
James Boell
Elizabeth Borland & Phillip DeMara
Kimberly Campbell
Maureen Cioppi-Grill
Theresa DiGiovanna
Robert Dockhorn
Mila Dukhon
Richard Dyer
Kristina Evon
Kathy Fash
Rebecca & Gene Feyl
Michele Fillette
Ted Gahee Moore
Trudy Gebbie
Carol Golden
Mark Gromosaik
Bruce Kalish & Aura Moreno
Lesley & Bob Bechtold
George & Bea Belfield
Michael Borovicka
Kate Boyer
Virginia Boyer
Jeanne Burford
Larice & James Burtt
John & Ann Byron
Marlin & Joann Corn
Doug & Lyn Crompton
Fred Crown & Christine Hoffman
Marge Custer
Patti Ann Cutter
Andrew A. DeSaro & Family
Laura Dittmeier-Schmidt
Donald Elfreth
Carol Fitzpatrick
Robert & Cindy Fliegel
Foulke Family
Arthur & Susan Friedman
Sharon & Park Furlong
Gauker Family
Mary George
Beth Ann Gilbert
Mary Ann Gilbert
Michael & Valerie Gross
Alan & Barbara Harvison
Judy Hayman
Bernadette & John Heenan
Shaun & Sarah Hicks
Lewis Hull
Bob Hutchinson
Carolyn Jacobson
James & Donna Kelly
Elizabeth Kempf
Melissa Kling
Michael Knecht
Michele Kumor
Lois & Peter Laimbiny
Patricia Levenberg
Janice Lewis
Sara Lieberman
Kamalkant Maheshwari
Murraylee Manley
Kristin & Allen Marcus
Erin McAllister
Adam & Susie Meany
Angela Mento
Steve & Mary Morse
Jennifer Mougeotle
Jenn O'Girady
Maryann Oleary
Rajnanda Patl
Amanda Petry
Kurien Philip
Alexander & Lindsay Pikoysky
Sandy Porzig
Lisa Rebuck
Diane Stanujev
Cortney Swartz
Meghan Thorell
Nicole & Zach Turner
Christine Van Der Miller
Michele Vitale
Joy Ward
Patti Weber
Elizabeth Whartenby
Arlene Williams
Carl Wohrle
Lisa Wzorek
Life Members
Patricia & George Komelasky
Terri & Philip Layton
Gloria & Robert Lechner
John & Mary Jane Leonard
Philip & Ann Lohr
Stuart & Mary Lutzker
Tom & Mary Lynskey
Janet V. Mackiewicz
Michael & Alice McAllister
Charles Medvecky
Linda Messatzzia
Terry & Dan Nagle
Thomas & Rachel Naulty
John G. & Eileen Nelson
Diane Neumann
Norm & Katy Patten
Marilyn & John Pawling
Pam & Herb Perkins-Frederick
Scott Petersen
Gail Reinard
Roy Reinard
Theodore & Lenore Robinson
Harry Rothwell
Kimberly Ruch-Alegant & Blair
Alegant
Steve Schnur
Wahupa Scott
Diane Sears
Joan Sharpless
Leigh & Deborah Shull
Joseph Sodomin
Albert Spendlove
Michael & Carolyn Sterthous
Chris Stieber and Faith McKee
Barbara & George Stollsteimer
Mildred and Frank Stopyra
Gary A. & Regina Stopyra
Peg Thatcher
Diane Thompson
William A. Thompson
Frederic G. Tillduster, Jr.
Turner Family
Rick and Donna Tweed
Harriet and Albert Unrath
Susan & Jim Wartenberg
Andrew Wells
Robyn Wells
Dee Wetzel
Lucile B. Wynkoop
Bill Yeager Jr.
Nick and Pat Zahn
Page 4
52 Years of Education & Preservation
The Dragonfly
Through The Eye Of The Dragonfly
“You Snake In The Grass” And Other Slanders
By Irene Safron, CNC Educator
Undoubtedly it would
GASP, AARGH, ICK!
have been a big plus for
are just some approximations
serpentine public relations had
of audience reaction when I
they been able to run about on
introduced the king snake
legs like decent critters. Us, for
during programs at the
instance. Always ready to
Philadelphia Zoo years ago.
indulge the human inclination
Among the many other
to project our traits onto other
animals I worked with were a
animals, many perceive a
woodchuck and a rabbit. Ah,
snake's movements as sneaky.
yes, I remember them well.
Nature, however, has no such
The woodchuck, who perhaps
prejudice and the snake's
was feeling disgruntled with
leglessness is the result of one
the world in general, took it
of her efficient adaptations.
out on me in particular by Pictured: CNC’s resident King Snake, used for educational programs.
Photo by Ron Warhula Evolved
from
burrowing
biting me one day as I
lizards, somewhere along their evolutionary path snakes
reached above his cage to retrieve another animal. The
lost their need for legs. The most primitive snakes, boas
rabbit showed its displeasure at being removed from the
and pythons, have retained vestiges of a hind pair of limbs.
security of its cage - not that I blame it - by raking my arms
This adaptation and others fall into one of the following
with its claws in a wild attempt to escape. Above the sound
categories: 1) questions I've been asked; 2) commonly held
of claws ripping across my sleeve I would hear the
misconceptions; 3) inaccurate observations, and 4) the
audience making soft, cooing "it's-a-bunny" noises. Every
refutation of snake slander generally.
furry critter was greeted with the same melting affection.
At the end of the program, with an exclamation of "Oh, I
WHY DON'T SNAKES EVER BLINK?
almost forgot!" I would reveal the king snake that had lain
If you are made uncomfortable by the fixed unblinking
peacefully coiled around my neck throughout the entire
stare of some snake acquaintance, consider this: it has no
program, hidden by my shirt collar. A gentle creature that
choice in the matter. A lack of mobility in the eyeball
had never tried to bite anyone. Yet invariably there would
accounds for the fixed stare, and the unblinking part results
be recoiling and audible gasps of distate and fear. I've
from the fact that there are essentially no eyelids. They are
never forgotten that scene. It has been reinforced through
fused together to form a transparent membrane over the
the years as I've observed similar reactions to snakes, even
eyes, a protective adaptation from their burrowing lizard
one as beautiful, delicate and harmless as our local rinkdays. With no eyelinds, a snake's eyes are open even in
necked snake. It's a prejudice difficult for many to
sleep.
overcome, and one deeply ingrained in our culture
Through the ages in western culture snakes have
IF I HAD A FLUTE AND A COBRA (AND WERE SO
symbolized duplicity and loathsomeness, responsible for
INCLINED) COULD I GET IT TO MOVE TO THE
major dire deeds like the expulsion of humankind from
MUSIC, JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIES?
Eden to minor ones like slithering into barns to slurp milk
Not really. According to our definition of hearing,
from cows. Thus the name milksnake for one of our most
snakes are deaf. They "hear" by sensing vibrations through
beautiful and beneficial neighbors, which in fact is in the
their body. That cobra in "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves" is
barn hunting for mice and rats. Joseph Campbell in The
following the swaying motion of the snake charmer, not his
Power of Myth discusses the negative image of snakes in
music. (Probably waiting for a strategic moment to get a
western European culture and religion as opposed to some
good bite in so it wouldn't have to go back into that silly
other cultures where they have had a positive image,
little basket!)
sometimes reaching divine status. The Caduceus, the
winged staff carried by Mercury or Hermes as messenger
YOU CAN ALWAYS RECOGNIZE A POISONOUS
of the Gods has two snakes coiled around it. The ancient
SNAKE BY ITS TRIANGULAR HEAD.
Greeks believed that snakes had the power to heal, and they
Not really. Other snakes can also have rather triangular
became the symbol of the medical profession. It is the
heads. The southern coral snake, which has the most
snake, emerging from its old skin shiningly unblemished
dangerous venom of all our native snakes has no obvious
which has symbolized for some cultures a rebirth, the
delineatioon between head and body.
power of life over death. Unfortunately, our snake got a
bad start in the garden of Eden, and along with bats have
been the most misunderstood and vilivied of all animals.
Continued On Page 5
Volume 47, No.2
52 Years of Education & Preservation
Through the Eye of the Dragonfly
Continued From Page 4
I THINK I SAW A WATER MOCCASIN BY THE POND
Not any pond around here! Cottonmouths, also known as moccasins,
range no further north than southeastern Virginia. However, a good general
rule to follow even where there are no moccasins, is to leave water snakes
alone. They are more aggressive than other snakes in the sense that they will
often hold their ground rather than retreat, and will more readily bite when
feeling threatened. In fact a good general rule for all wild animals, for your
sake and theirs, is to enjoy observing them but leave them alone.
IS THE TONGUE A STINGER?
Though snakes can smell with their nose, the tongue serves to greatly
enhance that sense. It flicks in and out capturing scent particles in the air,
bringing them into its mouth. They are then transmitted to the Jacobson's
organ located in the palate and analyzed, helping the snake sense the world
around it. Far from being a stinger, the tongue feels like the lightest touch of a
feather.
SNAKES ARE COLD AND SLIMY
Ah yes, the granddaddy of all snake misconceptions. No and no again!
Let's tackle the cold part first. Snakes, along with other reptiles, amphibians
and fish are ectotherms (cold blooded). This means they don't have a constant
internal temperature, but one that changes with their surroundings. This can
be a distinct danger, as any extreme of hot or cold will kill. A desert snake,
for instance, must retreat from the hottest part of the day or it will die as its
internal temperature rises uncontrolled. So a snake can feel either warm or
cold to the touch depending on the surrounding air temperature.
As for slimy...the only explanation I can figure out for that misconception
is that to many people snakes resemble eels, eels are slimy, ergo so are
snakes. Not only is a snake as un-slimy as your favorite pair of shoes
(hopefully not snakeskin!), snakes have absolutely no need for the slippery
stuff. Eels and other fishes have mucus glands in their skin, a protective
adaptation necessary in their watery environment. This is why if you fish to
catch and release you should always handle the fish as little as possible. If
enough of their slimy coating is rubbed off it can leave them open to fungal
and other infections that can prove deadly.
At a reptile program I attended, someone said that he had surprised a
snake in his yard and it had headed straight towards him as if to attack, then
went by. The presenter explained that it was actually the direct opposite - a
retreat. This particular snake was probably a black racer. They have habitual
hiding places and that is where they will head when sensing danger. It
happened that the person was between the snake and its sanctuary, and it
seemed as though the snake was aggressively confronting him when, in fact,
it was making a run for the safety of home. And so the scenario becomes
very different when viewed through the eyes of knowledge and
understanding.
Unfamiliarity with that which is different often breeds fear and mistrust.
To understand the whys of another creature is often to realize that there is
nothing at all to fear, and much to inspire admiration, curiosity and wonder.
Page 5
Organizations At The
Churchville Nature Center
Bucks County Aquarium Society
Meets the first Thursday of the month at
7:30 PM. For more information, contact
Carol Ross at (215) 822-5669,
RedDragon@aol.com, or visit the web at
www.bcasonline.com.
Bucks County Orchid Society
Meets the third Thursday of the month
at 7:30 PM. No July or August meeting.
For
more
information,
visit
www.buckscountyorchidsocity.org.
BucksMont Organic Gardeners
Meets the second Monday of the month
at 7:15 PM for meetings and field trips.
For more information, contact Jean
Scherf-Cunningham
5483
at
215-672-
Bucks County Single Volunteers
Meets every Tuesday at 6:45 PM. For
more
information,
contact
svbc411@gmail.com, or visit the web at
www.svbucks.org.
Photography Club
Meets the first and third Monday of
the month at 7:00 pm. No July or
August meeting.
For more
information, contact Dianne Rose at
(215) 378-3964, by e-mail at
DianneRose@verizon.net or on the
web at www.churchvillephoto.net.
Delaware Valley Woodcarvers
Association
Meets every Tuesday at noon for
“Whittle-A-While” and the Fourth
Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM.
No July meeting. For more information,
call James Bachelor at (215) 355-6287, e
-mail to Begar1@aol.com.
Page 6
52 Years of Education & Preservation
The Dragonfly
Species Spotlight
Celebrating the Diversity of Species within the Churchville Greenway Watershed
The year of the cicada
Magicicada species
The periodical cicadas (Magicicada sp.) are
not seen yearly like the annual cicada but instead
emerge every 13 or 17 years depending on the
brood designation. This year 2016 is one such
special year. Brood V of the 17 year periodical
cicada have emerged in the northeast. Although
not see everywhere, periodical cicadas hatch out
in mass during spectacular synchronized
emergences where trees are covered with them
and the sound can be quite deafening. They are
much smaller than the annual cicada and have
red –orange in the wings and the eyes instead of
the green wings of the larger annual cicadas.
The annual cicada is mistakenly called a
locust by many people. This cicada, also called
the “DogDay Harvestfly” alludes to the fact that
their emergence is timed with the hot “dog days”
of summer in July. This striking insect is over an
inch long and black with green markings on the
body and a distinctive green color along portions
of the wings. Although cicadas are very different
from any other insect it is the sound that the male
cicadas make from tree tops and shrubs that is
most memorable. Male cicadas have two large
sound producing organs called tymbals located
on the underside of their abdomen. The sound
they make has been likened to the sound a
circular saw makes when cutting through wood.
It can last 5 to 10 seconds and rises in both
Pictured above: Top - Annual Cicada
volume and speed before it ends. If you are
Bottom: Periodic Cicada
standing close by it can be hard to hear anything
else.
Although annual cicadas can been seen or heard every year their life cycle actually takes approximately 2
or 3 years to complete, however because various broods overlap in their hatching you will always see some
every year. Most of their life is spent underground out of site in the nymphal stage where they feed on the
juices from tree roots. When ready to emerge they climb out of the ground and up tree trunks and other vertical
structures, their nymphal casing splits along the back and a winged adult cicada emerges. Often you can find
the dried nymphal skins left hanging on tree trunks for quite some time after the winged cicada has emerged.
Despite their size cicadas are harmless and do not bite or sting. Once you are familiar with the cicada and
their life cycles it can be a wonderful starting point in learning more about the natural world during the hot “dog
days”. The meadow and woods behind the nature center building is a great place visit to hear and see one of
nature’s annual spectacles.
As winged adult cicadas do not feed, their sole purpose is to mate and lay eggs to start the cycle over
again. They die shortly after. Eggs are laid by females in the twigs and bark of trees. After they hatch the tiny
nymphal cicada drop to the ground and burrow in to start the cycle all over again.
As for the periodical cicada, if you happened to witness the hatching of Brood V this year, there is nothing
quite like it. Count yourself fortunate, it is one of nature’s spectacles. If you haven’t witnessed it, you will just
have to wait another 17 years until 2033. Mark your calendars.
Volume 47, No. 2
52 Years of Education & Preservation
Page 7
Migratory Marathon Results
2016 CNC Migratory Bird Marathon on May 14, 2016
Carol Fitzpatrick Sharon Furlong Kevin Faccenda Stan Glowacki Judy Hayman Maryann O’Leary
Karen Jim Tracey Kiriluk
Dwight Molotsky Barry Pflueger Chris Stieber Dr. Louis Telle
Vince De Antonniiss Barbara Stollsteimer Barbara Bennett Philip Stollsteimer Richard VanAken
Total Species 102
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-Tailed Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
American Kestrel
Killdeer
Lesser Yellowlegs
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Great Horned Owl
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood Pewee
Acadian Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Tree Swallow
N. Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
European Starling
White-eyed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue-Winged Warbler
Northern Parula Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-Sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black and White Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson’s Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-Throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Brown-Headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Educators Wanted
Anyone interested in being an educator for our Lenape Village, please contact Marge Custer at (215) 3574005, ext. 5039, or mlcuster@buckscounty.org. Our educator positions are seasonal and educators are
paid by the program. You can work as many days as you want. Our school programs usually run from 9:30
1:30 but we also do shorter programs and off-site programs. After school programs and weekend programs
are also available. Marge will be starting training 1/22/2017 for anyone interested.
Thank You
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To our 2016 Wildflower Sale sponsors (see page 2)
Eagle Scout Aleksander Bartnik of Boy Scout Troop 147 for the completion of his Eagle Scout Project at
Churchville Nature Center in June. Alex led the planning and construction of a new brick paver pathway to
our wildlife gardens ceremony area. Thanks Alex, you did a fantastic job.
Northampton Township Lions Club Foundation for their generous $500 donation
Barbara Fillette for the donation of a bird feeder
Susan Ebert Harrison for the donation of a wine cooler for storing butterflies/larva & milkweed seeds
Judy Foulke for butterfly wing furniture for the butterfly house, filing cabinet, utility cart, encased bugs for
programs, posters & framed Monarch drawing
Jane Curmlish for a framed drawing of butterflies & moths, assorted butterfly stationary items & moth poster
Contemporary Music Group for their $125 general donation to the center
Jacquelin Constructin for the donation of 500 board feet of cedar
Four Lanes End Garden club for their $100 donation
Page 8
52 Years of Education & Preservation
The Dragonfly
Way Back When - The Churchville Reservoir
A Continued Look at CNC’s History, By Diane Sears
Note: At the time of the center’s 50th Anniversary, we were sent a set of photos of the Churchville Reservoir
being constructed in 1942. Those photos are found in this article.
It all began in 1942 with the building of the Churchville Reservoir
then by the Springfield Water Company. In time of low water, this
reserve water supply provided an augmented flow through Iron Works
Creek, into Mill Creek, then into Neshaminy Creek where the water
could be drawn through the pumping station at Neshaminy Falls.
The reservoir itself, was one of the earlier impoundments in the
county, and was surrounded by a rural scene; the village of Churchville,
a few scattered farm
houses, and fine agricultural
land.
By the late 1950’s
the scene in rural Bucks County began gradually to change as new
residents were attracted to newly-built housing committees. The
Department of Parks had been created and the department
recognizing the necessity of providing retreat for both human and
animal population, entered into a program of selected land
acquisition.
One of the first sites chosen was the area now known as
Churchville Nature Center. The opportunity offered here was
unique…High open field, low meadowland, woodlot, and a very
choice feature – the proximity of the Churchville Reservoir – then
owned by the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company. Although the lake was and is still privately owned the
land and the water were inseparable then as they are today.
Way back then fishermen angled from the roadway and the lake provided habitat not only for its underwater
creatures, but also for the animals, amphibians, and resident and migrating birds, their interest in and regard for
all aspects of our natural community. (note: Fishing is not permitted on the reservoir today)
The original concept of the parkland provided for a landscape – type, low density use area. A citizens’
group to promote the park’s interest was formed and its existence was assured by the signing of a bond issue
by the Bucks County Commissioners in 1960.
Acquisition of the land first began in 1961 and by 1964, the Park Board was able to establish the first nature
center in the system with the creation of Churchville Nature Center, which was called an Outdoor Education
Center. Dave Williams was the first naturalist.
The late 60’s and early 70’s saw continued development of the township immediately surrounding the Park
– as indeed occurred in all of Bucks County – but no change in the park, or park concept.
And then, several extraordinary things happened. With the continued building of homes in Northampton
Township, the local water and sewer authority found it necessary to embark on a major sewer program. In the
area of Churchville Park and Reservoir, the engineering proposal called for the installation of a 36” trunk line
which would be laid in such a way as to follow the contours of the lake shore.
Danny Howell, then affiliated with the Nature center, local
residents and the local Watershed Association saw this plan as a
horror--- utter destruction of the mature vegetation on the eastern
bank; unavoidable siltation into the lake itself; and total loss of
virtually all nesting sites along that shore.
Through their work and the efforts of Julian Boryszewski, the
Churchville Outdoor Education Center naturalist and other
volunteers such as Norm Rubin, meetings were held with the
engineers, new proposals were made--- with the final
determination that an alternate route was feasible. By installing
the line through a higher elevation, away from the lake shore,
some shrub layer and canopy would be lost, but many manholes
could be eliminated, and the lake and shore would remain
unviolated.
Volume 47, No. 2
52 Years of Education & Preservation
Page 9
Way Back When - continued from page 8
This plan was accepted by the Authority, the work had been
done, and the vegetation in certain areas began restoring itself. It
was recognized that the lake and the parkland surrounding it were
considered to be an entirety – inadequate or shortsighted attention
paid in the planning of any facility would weak inestimable damage
– and placing one part in jeopardy, would jeopardize the whole.
Over the year several proposals for the development of the
Churchville Park were prepared and withdrawn, but in 1976 a new
proposal recommended that the county assume control over the
Water Company property and that the area be equipped with places
for picnicking, additional parking facilities with attendant roadways
and installation of a boat ramp, making the lake accessible for
rowing and sailing. Because of lack of funds this plan was
withdrawn. At this time the Neshaminy Valley Nature Club believed
that this plan should be rescinded. Their opinion of the plan was the
appalling feature of allowing boats, any boats on Churchville Lake.
Although the reservoir encompasses approximately 170 acres, it is
divided by Churchville Road and
Elm Ave into three distinct parts,
and even the largest, deepest
section could not support boating
without suffering ultimate harm. Boats stir up silt. In addition, Churchville
Reservoir with its mature vegetation, is the refuge of many diving surfaces
feeding ducks. These birds have brought hours of pleasure and charm to even
the most casual visitor. They are part of the natural scheme and as long as
they inhabit the area, we have a reasonably good indicator that the lake
environment is a healthy one. Any boats on the lake would cause an
immediate disturbance to these waterfowl. Boating too near the shoreline
would cause deterioration or destruction of the vegetation that many of these
birds fee upon. In the past, fisherman using the Churchville Lake began
encroaching on the entire periphery. Loose fish hooks or broken fishing lines
entangled in the deep water grasses and ensnared, strangled and destroyed
the waterfowl. In order to avoid deterioration and possible collapse of some to
the banks and to avoid the increasing amounts of litter, fishing is restricted here
on the reservoir.
(next issue: The nature center’s farmhouse)
April’s Inter-Coastal Clean-up
CNC together with Penn-Tammany
Greenway Coalition participated in this
spring’s Inter-Coastal Clean Up. This
grassroots organization together with CNC
volunteers collected 985 pounds of trash
along CNC’s trails and the adjacent old
Septa line.
Our thanks to all who
participated to make our little niche in the
world a more beautiful place.
Diane V. Sears
THE DRAGONFLY NEWSLETTER
FRIENDS OF CHURCHVILLE NATURE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Steve McGill
Judy Hayman
Steve Massi
Dan Wasserstrom
Eileen Silver
Honorary: Scott Petersen
Published four times a year by the Churchville
Nature Center, a facility of the Bucks County
Department of Parks and Recreation.
501 Churchville Lane
Churchville, PA 18966
Phone (215) 357-4005
Fax (215) 396-1153
Email:
churchvillenaturecenter@buckscounty.org
Web-site:
www.churchvillenaturecenter.org
Office Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed Monday
Trails open
sunup to sundown every day
.
BUCKS COUNTY PARK BOARD
Gerald H. Crandley, Chair
Todd Kowalski, Vice Chair
William Wert, Secretary
Nelson E. Clements
Andrea Coaxum
Penrose Hallowell
Charles Raudenbush, Jr
Lowell Musselman
Ed Zielanski
BUCKS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Robert G. Loughery, Chairman
Charles H. Martin
Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW
The Bucks County Department of Parks and
Recreation does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, age, national origin or disability in its programs,
activities and facilities.
The official registration
information of the Friends of Churchville Nature
Center, Inc. may be obtained from the PA Department
of State by calling 1-800-732-0999.
STAFF
Director: Chris Stieber
Assistant Director: Kirsten Becker
Lenape Village Director: Marge Custer
Environmental Ed. Director: Peg Mongillo
Butterfly House Coordinator: Joanne Robson
Coordinator of Volunteers: Diane V. Sears
Bookkeeper & Membership: Janna Winans
Our mission …
… is to instill
an awareness
and
appreciation
of the natural
world in all
people
through
education, and
to promote
responsible
environmental
stewardship
with a
commitment
to the
preservation
of resources
and wildlife
habitat.
FIRST CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 311
DOYLESTOWN, PA
A Publication of
Churchville Nature Center
Bucks County Department of Parks & Recreation
Churchville Nature Center
501 Churchville Lane
Churchville, Pa 18966
Phone: (215) 357-4005
Fax: (215) 396-1153
E-mail: churchvillenaturecenter@co.bucks.pa.us
52 Years of Education & Preservation
We’re On The Web!
www.churchvillenaturecenter.org