Wilson's Snipe by Bob Keener
- October 2026 from the President
What has 38 legs, 38 eyes, and one ton of fun? Answer: The Beginning Birder Walk held on Sep. 19! We had sixteen “beginners,” two trip leaders, and over twenty different bird species. It was a great day with great weather and great views of some great birds. CAS provided binoculars for many participants, and everyone got a chance to practice their birding skills: using binoculars, observing birds, and listening to calls. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it fun. Thanks to my birding partner, Tracy, for helping to answer questions, spot birds, and make ids (of insects as well as birds, of course!). And thanks to Alyssa Good and Furnace Run Park for promoting the event and for providing a great place to see birds. (Can you tell I had a great time?) You can read more about it in the next Naturally newsletter.
Our first meeting of the year was also well attended. (Please review the attached minutes before the next meeting.) The native plant program was very informative, and it was fun to see so many familiar faces and so many newcomers as well. I hope to see you again on Oct. 12. One of the best things about these meetings is the chance to catch up with our birder friends and maybe even talk a bit about birds. I encourage everyone to come early (doors will be open at 6:30) for a social half-hour before the meeting!
If you do come early to the October 12 general CAS meeting, Jim Hook will have a selection of native Redbud tree seedlings available. A small donation to CAS is requested. Jim will be stationed just outside the outer doors. He will have seedlings under 6 inches tall (suggested donation $1) and seedlings from 6 inches to 12 inches in height (suggested $2). Each plant pot will be placed in a heavy plastic bag. Please take your seedlings to your vehicles before the meeting (not into the building). Anyone wishing for 6 or more seedlings may contact Jim at 717-262-5865 or jimbhook@gmail.com
Get Involved with CAS
Join the fun and help CAS in its efforts to support conservation and spread interest in nature, especially birds. We are currently seeking volunteers to pitch in with the following.
Each year, Conococheague Audubon makes charitable contributions to (mostly) local organizations. If you have suggestions about whom we should support, please contact Val Barnes at ConAudubon@outlook.com or 717-352-4397.
Pot Luck Dinner: The annual pot luck dinner will be held January 11 at 6:00. Volunteers are needed to help setting up and cleaning up. Contact Donna Hocker dlhocker@yahoo.com
Financial Support: If you wish to donate, send your check to Conococheague Audubon Society, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222. Thanks to all who donate!
Adopt-a-Highway: If you missed your chance on Sep. 26, you’ll have another opportunity in the spring.
Vice President: Currently the position acts as an assistant to the President and will not be required to become President at the end of their term. If you’re considering maybe possibly volunteering, we can discuss how you would like to contribute to the leadership team of CAS. Contact me at writinron@comcast.net
Monitoring Bluebird trails: Managing a Bluebird trail, takes a lot of work and on-going learning. Our dedicated volunteers help at multiple sites, and more help is always needed. If you’re interested in volunteering in 2027, email conaudubon@outlook.com , and we’ll pass your information to the project leaders.
Everything Else: Email conaudubon@outlook.com if you would like to get involved in any of our activities:
- presenting free nature films to the public
- contributing photos and articles to our newsletter Naturally
- maintaining birdfeeders at Caledonia State Park
- counting birds for the annual Christmas Bird Count (feeder watching or in the field)
- leading bird trips
- offering our yearly Beginning Birder Workshop
- caring for the Native Plant Garden at Norlo Park
- providing outreach to the public
Upcoming Events
SOAR Bird Walks Year-round, first and third Saturday of every month, 8:00 am. Various locations. Check the website for locations: SOAR Bird Walks are Year-Round – Buttonwood Nature Center Trip leaders: Larry and Sharon Williams
Bluebird Program, Oct. 6: See the attached flyer for more information about the Bluebird program and Bluebird box building activity sponsored by TWEP.
Birding Events: Birders across the country and around the world will be engaging in two events in Oct. to collect observations and enjoy birding with fellow birders. Follow the links to learn more.
October Big Day, Oct. 10, 2026: https://ebird.org/news/october-big-day-2026
Big Sit, Oct. 10-11: https://www.thebigsit.org/
Consult your Activities List or visit our website for all our planned activities for the coming season.
Next Meeting
Monday Oct. 12, 2026, 7:00 pm: 5 Years of Birding in our Mobile Home—Part 2 (Back by popular demand!) by Jeff and Sue Schmaltz.
Zoom: If you plan to attend any of our upcoming meetings via Zoom, be aware that due to changes in our security settings, you will need to be registered for a (free) Zoom account. Once you sign-in to the meeting, you will enter a “waiting room” before you are invited into the meeting.
Zoom links for each meeting are posted on our website in the calendar event.
During the upcoming seasons of flu, COVID-19, and RSV, we encourage you to be safe. We urge you to check on an event’s status via the Calendar on this site before you attend.
Conococheague Audubon Society is pleased to offer student and teacher support for educational activities in keeping with our mission: promoting the conservation of wildlife and the environment by appreciating, studying, and observing nature. Please see the Scholarship and Teacher Grant Support page for information.
Calendar of Events
Calendar Click to see activities each month, Select a day to see all events scheduled on that day. Days with events show a small dot. Colors indicate the type of event.
Events
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ABOUT US
Conococheague Audubon Society
The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.
Conococheague Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society based in Fayetteville in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The group started in 1961 as the Conococheague Naturalists. Through programs, field trips, nature films, displays, and a newsletter, we promote conservation of wildlife and the natural environment with a focus on appreciating, studying, and observing birds.
We are a family-friendly organization. The membership includes over 400 people residing primarily in Franklin, Cumberland, and Fulton Counties.
Conococheague Audubon meets monthly September through May on the second Monday at 7:00 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202. At a pot luck supper in January, held at 6:00 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, members share stories, photographs, fellowship, and home-made food.
Please make a difference in our local community by being good stewards of the earth in your daily lives. Share our passion for conservation, birding, and the natural world by coming to our meetings and films, going on field trips, helping with projects, and participating in bird counts. Our experienced birders love to teach beginners. Read Audubon Magazine and our Naturally newsletter to stay abreast of national, international, and local environmental issues. You and your family can enjoy educational opportunities at Audubon’s Nature Centers and Sanctuaries across the country. Take peaceful walks and learn the wonders of nature.
We welcome new members! Anyone who joins the National Audubon Society from our area automatically becomes a member of our chapter. Similarly, anyone who joins the local chapter can also join the national organization. To join, please go online to the National Audubon site or click here to go the Join or Renew page or contact our current membership chair, Lisa Coombs.
In 2016 the CAS leaders updated the chapter’s 10-year plan to help guide our future actions and strengthen the organization. To volunteer, please contact our current president, Ron George. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please mail your check payable to CAS.
What we do
Conococheague Audubon Society meets the second Monday each month, September through May, at 7 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
Program topics focus on birds, wildlife and conservation. All are welcome.
Nature films, produced by PBS are shown each year at Chambersburg Area Middle School South.
CAS leads many free field trips throughout the year.
Projects
Norlo Park Native Plants Garden
Scholarship and Teacher Grant Support
