Conococheague Audubon Society

PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222

ConAudubon@outlook.com

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Conococheague Audubon

Author: Valerie Barnes

August 2021 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Birds, Monthly Message, OutreachTagged ,

Hello Fellow Nature Lovers,

As of today, we have 6 short weeks until we assume our new 2021-2022 season of general meetings and other events.  I have some very IMPORTANT news for you today.  Please read this carefully.  Soon you will receive our new Activities List.  With that, you will notice a BIG CHANGE!  We will be conducting our general meetings, September – May at a new venue. We will now be meeting at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.  The church is located adjacent to Luther Ridge in Scotland, PA.  The full address is 2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202.  We will place signs at the entrance and in the building directing you to the correct room.  When September rolls around, please make sure you come to St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church and NOT to Norlo Park Community Center.  The room is good sized with plenty of tables and chairs.  There is a kitchenette attached too for our January Covered Dish dinner.  The church is located off I-81 Scotland Exit #20.  Bear east towards Fayetteville on the Black Gap Road.  Turn right onto Luther Drive.  The church is immediately to the right.  There’s ample parking.  We hope to see you there!

Due to an emergency family health issue, our CAS Vice President had to step down.  Thus, I need a new VP to replace Jessica.  Please keep Jessica and her family in your prayers.  If interested, please call me at 717-263-3692.  

You’ll recall that I sent out a notice to take down your bird feeders July 2, 2021 due to a mysterious eye and neurological disease affecting common grackles, blue jays, European starlings, American robins, cardinals, finches and other birds. To date no one knows anything about the cause of this disease. There’s some speculation that it has to do with the arrival of the 17-year cicadas.  Tests are being done, but no firm findings have been determined.   Lest you think this is only a local phenomenon, there have been cases of many songbirds dying in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.  To date I have seen nothing about returning to feed the birds at this time.  It is hoped that by refraining from feeding the birds, it will cause birds to “social distance” and lessen the chance of infection.  For more on this, please read the following article from the National Audubon Society: scientists-still-searching-pathogen-behind-easts-songbird-epidemic

UPDATE AS OF 13 August: The PA Game Commission has lifted the restriction on feeding birds. See the PGC announcement.

As you know this is the migration season for shore birds.  Our local area has seen its share of rarities.  The new birding “hotspot” seems to be the Greencastle Antrim Ponds west of the Sheetz store.   Birds seen in July are American Avocets, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Least Sandpipers, Black Duck, Osprey, Little Blue Heron, White-winged Dove, Kentucky Warbler, and Dickcissel. In the Newville area two Roseate Spoonbills have been seen.

Another reminder to you that for your fall perennial planting you may want to plant Native Plants, which help birds and other pollinators.  Also, remember too that as you continue to modify your yards to create a more bird-friendly habitat, Mid-Atlantic Audubon (now merged from PA Audubon and Maryland-DC Audubon) has an application on line to answer questions about your garden.  If you pay $25, you will receive a beautiful metal sign to display in your yard.  To get a sign for yourself, you will need to go online to pa.audubon.org to find the application.  The application is straight forward and not complicated.  You will need to print off the application, fill it out, and send in your $25 to pa.audubon.org

I hope to see you all in September at our new location, St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, or perhaps I’ll see you at the North Square Farmers Market on August 28, 2021 between 8 AM and 12 PM.  For your viewing pleasure I’ve provided a link below to see some comical birds moving to music in a seven-and-a-half-minute long video.

Try Not To Laugh | 19 Funny Birds Videos Of The Week | The Pet Collective – Bing video  

Enjoy! 

Terri Kochert

June 2021 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Birds, Conservation, Monthly Message

Hello Fellow Nature Lovers,

As I write this letter many of us are celebrating a holiday surrounded by family, food and fun.  I hope you all took the time this chilly weekend to remember those brave Americans who “gave it all” that we might enjoy the freedoms we have today.  My heart goes out to those of you who lost a Grandfather, Uncle, Dad, brother, or Mother, sister, Aunt, etc. protecting our freedoms.  Freedom does not come without cost.   May we always remember their sacrifice and remain eternally grateful to them.

On a lighter note, May is now behind us.  Many of us saw some terrific birds this past month.  I believe all would recognize the fact that though we may have seen many different species, there seem to be fewer birds.  We have expressed many times before the reasons for our seeing fewer birds. The main one is loss of habitat.  We need to keep our beloved felines inside, as they are natural predators.  Windows kill thousands of birds each year.  The ramifications of climate change are diminishing the world-bird populations.  Other ways to help the birds:  plant more native gardens, use less pesticides, reduce your dependence on plastic, and report your bird sightings to ebird.org.  

Among the Spring migrant warbler species sighted in our locale were the Pine, Palm, Black and White, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, Kentucky, Chestnut-sided, Cape May, Bay-breasted, Canada, Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Mourning, and Cerulean Warblers.  Also sighted were Louisiana Waterthrush, American Redstarts, and Yellow-breasted Chats. That’s quite a list! In Texas, Bob and I saw a MacGillivrays’s, Nashville, and Yellow-throated warblers.  There may have been other warblers seen in our area, but those are the ones I am aware of.  

Our May Field Trips were quite successful, Donna Hocker reported data for two recent field trips: In Horse Valley, nine participants saw 71 species (164 species are the overall trip total); and in Path Valley, 15 participants in nine cars saw 88 species (145 species for that trip). Four new species seen were Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Rusty Blackbirds and Wild Turkey.

Josh Donaldson reported a total of 37 species seen on the Friday, May 7 trip to Larry Lehman’s pond and field. When he and Dave Ebbitt returned on Saturday, they saw warblers – among them Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided and Cape May warblers, as well as Redstarts.

During the May 22 field trip Bobolinks were sighted along the Burkett Road. They also saw the Whip-poor-wills and the allusive Barn Owl, plus many other species.  

Of course, the beloved Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Wood Thrush, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles have returned and are nesting.  Of course, our chatty House Wrens are delighting us with their happy little song.  

Here are the events for this June.

  • Any time you feel like doing some weeding in the Norlo Garden, it would be greatly appreciated.  Just let Terri Kochert know how many hours you put into weeding at ConAudubon@outlook.com  
  • June 5, Beginning Birders Workshop CANCELED
  • June 12, Saturday. FIELD TRIP 7:00 AM South Mountain/Caledonia/Michaux IBA for SPRING MIGRANTS.  Leave from second parking lot beyond Visitor’s Center in Caledonia State Park.  Bring scopes, binoculars, and CBs.  Contact Eric and Rhetta Martin, 717-597-8675. 
  • June 18-21, Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation.  Please support our Blue Mountain Avian Seekers team:  Bob Keener, Jefferson Shank, Dan Keener and son Sammy.  Do so at https://www.breedingbirdblitz.org/teams1 I see that there are 15 registered teams.  One team has $685 pledged.  Our team has $211 pledged.  All proceeds go to three PA Conservancies:  Western PA, Hawk Mountain, and Manada Conservancies contributing to bird habitat improvements. The goal is to raise $5,000 to be divided equally among the three conservancies. Currently they have reached 77% of their goal.  Won’t you contribute something today?
  • June 19, Saturday. FIELD TRIP 7:30 AM Walk on Chambersburg section of Cumberland Valley Rail Trail.  Meet at Big Lots, 184 Southgate Mall, Chambersburg, in Washington Street parking lot near the rail-trail. Bring binoculars and field guide.  Contact Debby Hook, 717-372-0228

CAS is also pleased to announce that this coming 2021-2022 season we have some exciting new programs AND some new Field Trips.  We are resurrecting a trip to Cape May this September.  Mark your calendars now for this three-day outing on Wednesday, Sept. 22-Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.  Call Sue Greer for the hotel information, as you will have to make your own reservations.  It’s not too early to reserve your spot on this outing.  

Sept. 22-24, Wed.-Fri.  FIELD TRIP: Trip to Cape May, NJ, for FALL MIGRANTS: WARBLERS, RAPTORS, and SEABIRDS. Bring scopes and binoculars.  For information, call Sue Greer at 443-255-9559 or email her at sgreer412@gmail.com.  Sign-up deadline is Sept. 15.

Keep your eyes open and on the look-out for birds in your backyard.  Let me know what you find!

Keep looking up!  Happy birding!

Terri Kochert

May 2021 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Birds, Monthly Message, Zoom

Dear Fellow Nature Lovers,

Because our events start immediately on Saturday, May 1, 2021, I decided to send out my monthly letter a little earlier than usual. That will give you the opportunity to contact the trip leaders in advance of the event.  

This is the exciting time of the year when we get to see many migrants passing through. Keep me apprised as to what you see this spring, please. Here are a few migrants/birds already seen. We Kocherts had a Ruby-throated Hummingbird visit our nectar feeder on April 23, 2021. There have been sightings of a Baltimore Oriole along Creekside Trail, Menno Haven, by Bill Oyler and Ruby-throats at Heisey Road Orchard by Bob Keener. Bob also has seen Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, and Black-and-White Warblers at Heisey Road. Yellow-rumped, Palm, and Pine Warblers have also been spotted. There was a Barred Owl family camped out at Falling Spring Church parking lot.  There was a Scott’s Oriole (western bird) in Kirkwood, PA starting in January 2021. There’s been a pair of Trumpeter Swans on Burnt Mill Rd. pond, seen by Bob Koontz, Bill Oyler and Bob Kiley. Jefferson Shank had a Grasshopper Sparrow on their farm and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers at Heisey Road Orchard.

Here is a list of upcoming CAS activities:

Since this is spring gardening time, I thought I should again include the link to National Audubon’s Native Plants information. That way you can attract birds and butterflies to your own garden. All you have to do is to click on the link, put in your zip code and up pops a list of native trees, shrubs, plants and flowers.

Also, for anyone interested, there will be a Zoom session, Thursday, May 13, 2021 on planting a Bird-Friendly Design, presented by Patterson Park Audubon Center for Wildlife Gardening Workshops. “This virtual session explores how our gardens can benefit birds and butterflies, including recommended plant species and garden management for Mid-Atlantic gardens. No matter how small your space, you can grow habitat for birds (even in containers)! There is a limit to the number of participants per session, so Patterson Park asks you to register only if you plan to attend.”

Many of us are heart-broken that our favorite birding festival, Biggest Bird Week Festival, at Magee Marsh, OH is canceled due to Covid-19. CAS had a planned field trip to attend May 3-5, 2021. It is open to residential Ohioans via a lottery system only. If you would like to read about the devastating economic effects of Covid-19 in Clinton, OH area, click on the following link: https://www.audubon.org/news/canceled-birding-festivals-deal-host-towns-major-economic-blow 

In addition, Cornell Lab of Ornithology wants you to be aware of the Global Big Day and World Migratory Bird Day, May 8.  Please go birding, keep track of where you are and what you see, and report your findings in eBird.

I hope you all have an enjoyable Spring! Enjoy the fresh air, the beautiful flowers, and the phenomenal birds!

Terri Kochert

April 2021 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Monthly Message, Zoom

Dear Fellow nature lovers, 

Spring is definitely here!  We now have light till after 7:30 PM.  Crocuses and forsythias are in bloom too.  My daffodils and hyacinth are in bloom.  My tulips are pushing through the ground.  Some trees are budding, getting ready to push through the first leaves of the season. The birds are chasing after each other in earnest, searching to mate and produce a brood of chicks.  I believe each of us is ready for this season of rebirth of the earth and of the soul.  

Things are already in swing too at CAS.  We are now close to having our 2021-2022 budget set.  We’re looking forward to our remaining two season’s meetings and especially to the new meetings this next September.  We’re looking forward to an exciting new season with new topics and introducing some new field trips too.  (We’re hoping to be able to present our nature films to you too!) 

Again, all our scheduled nature films for this 2020-2021 season have been canceled due to CASD 2020-2021 Covid -19 rental restrictions.  We were to have one on April 8, but alas, perhaps next season… 

Here is our April schedule and early May events. 

  • April 12, 2021, Monday, general meeting at 7 PM.  This will again be a Zoom only meeting.  See the link below.  The topic is: Open Forum: Field Guide and App Comparison, moderated by Val Barnes.  Included during this meeting we will conduct our annual business meeting and elections. 

In order to do this in a proper and timely fashion, please see the ballot.  Please respond ASAP as to your approval of our two candidates, John and Sue Greer, to serve as our new three-year term directors.  Fill out your ballot today and return it ASAP.  We need your approval.  We thank and honor Conway Bushey and Marguerite Fries for their three years of service as directors.   

Topic: CAS April 12 Business & Field Guides & Apps Meeting

Time: Apr 12, 2021 06:55 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Join Zoom Meeting 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7211203928?pwd=RXNwMjZpQVNvSHJGRld3cWZFQjJiZz09

Meeting ID: 721 120 3928 

Passcode: cardinal20 

  • April 17, 2021, Saturday at 9:30 AM.   Anyone who would like to work in the native garden at Norlo Park, bring your garden tools, and gloves.  Any questions: please call Josh Donaldson, 717-264-6920. 
  • May 1, Saturday at 6:30 AM. Horse Valley for SPRING MIGRANTS.  Meet at North Point Center, US 11 north of Chambersburg.  Bring scopes, binoculars, CB’s and lunch.  Valerie Barnes, 717-352-4397; or Donna Hocker, 717-401-0604. 
  • May 1, Saturday at 9:30 AM.  Workday at Norlo Park native garden. Bring garden tools and gloves.  Josh Donaldson, 717-264-6920. 
  • May 6, Thursday at 6:30 AM. Path Valley for SPRING MIGRANTS. Leave from Keeners home, 5707 Heisey Road.  Bring scopes, binoculars, CB’s and lunch.  Bob Keener, 717-532-9723 or 717-658-8765. 
  • May 7, Friday at 6 PM. Meet at Lehman property for SPRING MIGRANTS.  Meet at 750 Tallow Hill Road, Chambersburg, PA, to walk around a pond, meadows, and woods.  Larry Lehman, 717-263-7203. 

I want to include two more items of interest.  First, the Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology (PSO) is conducting a Breeding Bird Blitz contest (B4C), with competing teams, vying for contributions towards three important conservancies:  Hawk Mountain, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Manada Conservancy.  I am proud to announce that CAS has a competing team!  The name of the team is Blue Mountain Avian Seekers.  The team members are Bob Keener, Dan Keener and son, Sammy (14), and Jefferson Shank (15).  So, if you would like to contribute towards their team (ultimately towards the work of the three named conservancies), please contact Donate/Teams | Breedingbirdblitz and donate on behalf of Blue Mountain Avian Seekers.  I think this could be a fun thing to do!  Plus, the conservancies and birds are the winners! 

Secondly, our Conservation chair, Jim Hardy, has read an interesting article that he requested that I pass on to you.  Therefore, please find the Penn State article from Feb. 18, 2021 concerning research done on the effects of the noise of gas pipeline compressors on nesting songbirds.  I think you will enjoy it. 

On Monday, March 29, Scott Weidensaul was interviewed on WITF.  Listen to this fascinating interview. 

Also, for your viewing pleasure I found a short (6:39 minutes) video produced by Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 2012.  It’s called Birding Warblers.  This should whet your appetite for the coming spring warbler migration.  They show a lot of the colorful warblers and you’ll hear many of their songs/calls.   Birding Warblers – YouTube 

I wish you all a Happy Easter and a productive birding time this spring! 

Terri Kochert 

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