The Youth Contests for 2021-2022 close today!

Conococheague Audubon Society’s Youth Contests offer opportunities for young people to win a cash prize! Both our “Longest Bird Species List of the Year” and “Best Bird Photo of the Year” contests involve your love of nature and your keen observation skills. The contests will be judged in two different age groups – ages 5 to 15 and ages 16 to 18. See details on the Youth Contest page. The contests started last year on December 1, 2021 and end tonight, when you submit your entries at our regular meeting.

Please note: We need your parent’s/guardian’s permission for you to enter the contest and for us to report selected information about you to our members and the public. Your parent/guardian must also affirm your entries comply with the rules. So, be sure you have the completed necessary forms when you submit your entries.

• Background: Michaux State Forest staff asked CAS to help monitor birds at several specific sites on the Michaux. This is one of two field trips to show participants where the sites are and to explain the monitoring protocols. Expect to see late fall migrants and winter residents.The map below shows where the sites are. On this trip, you will visit some, but not all sites. The Part 2 trip will complete the tour.
• Meet at Mont Alto State Park parking lot on Rt 233 (across from pavilion).
• Bring binoculars, snack, and sturdy walking shoes.  Expect an easy approx. 3-mile walk.
• Leader: John Greer
• Additional information about the monitoring project can be found in these files:
  • Creating eBird checklists
  • Site Distances and Times

• Background: Michaux State Forest staff asked CAS to help monitor birds at several specific sites on the Michaux. This is the second of two field trips to show participants where the sites are and to explain the monitoring protocols. Expect to see late fall migrants and winter residents.The map below shows where the sites are. On this trip, you will visit some, but not all sites. The Part 1 trip started the tour.
• Meet at Mont Alto State Park parking lot on Rt 233 (across from pavilion).
• Bring binoculars, snack, and sturdy walking shoes.   Expect an easy approx. 4-mile walk.
• Leader: John Greer
• Additional information about the monitoring project can be found in these files:
  • Creating eBird checklists
  • Site Distances and Times

• Location: Conococheague Institute. Meet at the Visitor Center.
• Bring Binoculars.
• Leaders: Larry and Sharon Williams

• Field Trip: To see and hear the mating rituals of AMERICAN WOODCOCKS.
• Drive to Heisey Road orchard.
• Witness the annual mating flight of these woodland birds.
• Bring flashlight.
• Be prepared for tall, wet grass.
• Meeting place: Park & Ride, Scotland, Exit 20, I-81 northbound. Meet at the Park & Ride at 5:45 PM , or go directly to Heisey Road orchard on  your own and be there by 6:00 PM
• Destination: Heisey Road orchard. Note: birders are welcome, despite the Posted signs.
• Leader: Bob Kochert

• Field Trip: Fort McCord area for SPRING ARRIVALS/MIGRANTS
• Bring binoculars and lunch
• We will make several stops. Some walking.
• Meeting place: North Pointe Center, US 11 north of Chambersburg.
• Destination: Fort McCord area in western Franklin County, PA
• Leader: Bill Oyler

• New Time and New Date – 13 May, 8 AM
  
• Stillhouse Hollow, Heisey Road Orchard, and some local farms for SPRING MIGRANTS. Bring scopes, binoculars, and lunch.
• Meet: Keener’s home, 5207 Heisey Road, Shippensburg.
• Destination: area near Heisey Road Orchard.
• Leader: Bob Keener, 717-532-9723 or 717-658-8765.

• Field Trip: FALL MIGRANTS.
• Bring binoculars and snack.
• One mile walk in wet grass at Heisey Orchard. Then by car on Michaux SF roads with additional walk(s) of up to half mile, with trip ending between 12 and 1 PM.
• Meeting place: Park & Ride, Scotland Exit 20, I-81 northbound.
• Destinations: Heisey Rd Orchard and Michaux State Forest.
  
• Leader: Bill Oyler

• Field Trip: For FALL MIGRANTS. Easy walk along part of  Cumberland Valley Rail Trail in Chambersburg.
• Bring binoculars.
• Location: Meet at Big Lots, 184 Southgate Mall, parking lot next to Washington Street Cumberland Valley Rail-Trail.
• Leader: Debby Hook