The Lancaster County Bird Club (LCBC) will meet Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. Jeff Larkin, a biology professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, along with three of his graduate students, will present "Ornithology Research Update: Scarlet Tanagers and Ruffed Grouse."

Larkin and the graduate students will report on their research on the decline of ruffed grouse and scarlet tanager. The students' research studies the causes of decline over a period of decades, methods to gather data, and possible solutions to reverse the decline of these birds in Pennsylvania. Students Jacob Goldman and Randall Koleck are studying the effects of habitat management on ruffed grouse, including using various technologies to determine the effects of various types of habitats on grouse occupancy. Student Tyler Hodges, specializing in avian ecology, is studying high-quality breeding habitat that supports scarlet tanagers and how forestry management practices affect tanagers both with positive and negative outcomes.

A short business meeting will precede the program. The event is free and open to the public.

The club will also sponsor four Lancaster County Christmas Bird Counts. Since 1900, the National Audubon Society has conducted a bird census called the Christmas Bird Count, with much of the leg work done by volunteers. All levels of birders, including backyard watchers, can help with the citizen science effort. The data collected have been invaluable for studying bird population trends, migration patterns, and conservation policy.

Participants will be assigned to a team with leaders who are acquainted with their areas. Backyard birders must register with the appropriate contact person prior to the event to determine if their home is within the count circle. The local events and their contact people are as follows: Sunday, Dec. 17, Solanco, Derek Stoner, 484-723-3348 or derekstoner@hotmail.com; Saturday, Dec. 23, Lancaster, Roger Stoner, 717-393-9030; and Sunday, Dec. 31, Lititz, Ted Nichols, 717-856-3851 or tanicholsii@gmail.com.

Additionally, the Christmas Bird Count for Kids will be held at the Lancaster County Central Park on Dec. 23. It is designed to teach children about birding. Participants must register by calling the park at 717-295-2055. For more information, contact John Lahr, 717-205-3030 or johnlahr324@gmail.com. Adults without kids are welcome.

For more information on any LCBC events, call 717-856-3851 or 717-725-2717 or visit http://www.lancasterbirdclub.org or http://www.facebook.com/lancasterbirdclub.