For the birds

March 5, 2009 at 4:00a.m.

SANDY LAKE, Pa. — The McKeever Environmental Learner Center is seeing blue and purple — birds, that is. On Saturday, two bird specialists will speak at the center.

Harry Schmeider, an ambassador for bluebirds, will speak from 9 to 10:30 a.m. about topics such as the history, biology, courtship and egg-laying of bluebirds. He will explain how to construct a nest box and how to attract the species.

From 10:45 a.m. to noon, Joe Arnett will discuss purple martins. He formed a purple martin club in the Conneaut Lake area and has been attracting the bird for eight years. His presentation will focus on proper housing locations and predator guards.