Conococheague Audubon Society

PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222

ConAudubon@outlook.com

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Conococheague Audubon

Monthly Message

Usually written by the president, a note about the season, upcoming activities, …

September 2025 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Monthly MessageTagged

The past several days in August have been fall-like, with cooler temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Shorebirds are coming through, so migration is happening, too. You never know what may drop into your yard, so inspect your visitors carefully!

Our activities are ramping up, so check the calendar on this site to see what’s happening. Here’s one extra event not on our calendar:

Thursday, September 11: A special invitation from Conococheague Institute. Step into the past and celebrate the season at the Conococheague Institute’s fall TACC Mixer, where we’ll be showcasing a taste of their upcoming 1775: Harvest on the Homestead event! Falconer Patrick Miller of Miller’s Wildlife will be bringing his feathered friends with him!  September 11th 5pm to 7pm TACC Mixer at CI

  • You should have received the annual fundraising letter and this season’s Activities List. Thanks to all who have responded with a donation. For those who haven’t yet, please make whatever contribution you can and mail it to CAS, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222.

Current volunteer opportunities include Hospitality Chair and Conservation Chair; see the latest Naturally for what’s involved in each position. Three officers are ready to step down as well: Valerie Barnes from being President, Lisa Coombs from being Vice President, and Donna Hocker from being Treasurer. Please contact an officer ASAP with questions and/or to volunteer.

Good birding!

August 2025 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Birds, Conservation, Get Involved, Monthly MessageTagged ,

I hope you are having a wonderful summer filled with good birds and fun outings. Things are pretty quiet in my yard, with a surprise Ovenbird popping in for a quick visit last week. Young Woodpeckers continue to explore the world in their dorky ways.

Joe and Vanessa Miller have volunteered to organize our highway clean-up day on September 27, 2025.  This is part of PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program. We have “adopted” 2 miles of PA-997 from I-81 west to Main Street, Scotland. It is easy walking on wide shoulders. Supplies are provided. Meet at 9 AM at the Scotland Park & Ride, I-81 northbound exit 20.  Even if you are unable to pick up trash, we need a driver to shuttle supplies, and we need a pickup truck to carry filled bags. Please join us to help beautify PA. Contact Joe and Vanessa at 717-377-6507 or millerhouse@embarqmail.com.

Bill Oyler will lead our first field trip of the season on Monday, September 1 for FALL MIGRANTS. Meet at 7:15 AM at the Park & Ride, Scotland Exit 20, I-81 northbound. Field trip includes walking in wet grass at Heisey Orchard and other possible walks as we travel Michaux SF roads, with field trip ending by 1:00 PM. Bring binoculars and snack or lunch. Bill Oyler, 717-360-5191, oylerbill@gmail.com.

Year-round SOAR (Studying Ornithology Around the Region) walks continue at 8:00 AM on the first and third Saturdays at various locations in Franklin County. Larry and Sharon Williams, 717-655-7414; or Buttonwood Nature Center, 717-762-0373, https://buttonwoodnaturecenter.org/ .

The first regular meeting for our new season will be on September 8. Ron George and Tracy Snyder will dazzle us with excellent bird photos to illustrate their Bird is A Verb program – terrific for beginning and experienced birders alike. They’ll start the evening earlier than usual, at 6 PM, with birding outside St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church; so, bring friends and family who are new to birding! . Bring binoculars if you have them. The meeting will start, as usual, at 7:00 PM.

We have a new logo depicting a Northern Cardinal. Now you can support Conococheague Audubon Society by making a donation and selecting a hat! Three colors of the baseball-style hat are available – Royal Blue, Khaki crown with Royal Blue bill, or Khaki crown with Charcoal bill. All are 6-panel, unstructured, low-profile garment-washed cotton, with a mesh lining and a tuck-away leather back strap and buckle. One size fits all. We’re asking for a donation of $20 to defray the cost. Come to a meeting to see the hats in person and select the ones you want. Decals depicting the new logo are also available.

We’ve finalized the Activities List for the upcoming season and will be mailing it to you soon, along with our annual fundraising letter. Please make whatever contribution you can and mail it to CAS, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222.

Volunteer opportunities include Hospitality Chair and Conservation Chair. Three officers are ready to step down as well: Valerie Barnes from being President, Lisa Coombs from being Vice President, and Donna Hocker from being Treasurer. Please contact an officer ASAP with questions and/or to volunteer.

We’ll be posting the new activities on this website over the coming weeks, so check the calendar for updates and details.

July 2025 from the President

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

The (Northern) House Wrens finally decided that my nesting box was acceptable, and the female (presumably) has taken up residence. I’ve seen her squirming around in there a few mornings, so I think she was laying eggs. Exciting!

The only unique summer activity we have scheduled is the Norlo Park Native Plants garden event set for 6 PM on Monday, July 14. This year Josh Donaldson has named it Beyond Beauty: Native Plants & Pollinators Event. The rain date is July 16. Come see all the beautiful plants in the garden and get inspired! Josh Donaldson, 717-264-6920.

Year-round SOAR (Studying Ornithology Around the Region) walks continue at 8:00 AM on the first and third Saturdays at various locations in Franklin County. Larry and Sharon Williams, 717-655-7414; or check Buttonwood Nature Center, 717-762-0373, https://buttonwoodnaturecenter.org/ for locations.

We’re finalizing the Activities List for the upcoming season and are still looking for a program, a Hospitality Chair, and a Conservation Chair. Please contact me ASAP with your ideas and/or to volunteer. We need to print the AL soon for mailing in August.

The first regular meeting for our new season will be on September 8. Ron George and Tracy Snyder will dazzle us with excellent bird photos to illustrate their Bird is A Verb program. They’ll start the evening earlier than usual, at 6 PM, with birding outside St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church. Bring friends and family who are new to birding!

Check the calendar on our website for possible late-breaking additional updates and details.

Good birding!

June 2025 from the President

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

Our activities for this season are almost complete. MANY THANKS to all who made them possible – our officers Lisa, Donna, Debbie, and Terri; our directors Anne, Dave, Jim, John, Larry, and Sharon; committee chairs Janet, Dave, Lynn, Dorian, Terri, John, Ruth, Lisa, Jane, Josh, Anne, and Sue; and our field trip leaders Bill, Bob, Debbie, Jim, Eric, Rhetta, Larry, Larry, Sharon, and Donna. Life would be dull without Conococheague Audubon, and our chapter would be in a pickle without your help.

We had a great Beginning Birders’ Workshop on Saturday, June 7 at Caledonia State Park. In spite of the light rain, the 6 adults and 3 children improved their binocular skills, saw/heard 35 species of birds, enjoyed refreshments, and passed the bird quiz with flying colors.

Volunteer opportunities:

  • Ruth Barton is stepping down as Hospitality Chair. The main duty is setting up a table in the back of our meeting room to welcome newcomers. Please contact Val Barnes (717-352-4397) to volunteer.
  • John Greer is stepping down as Conservation Chair. The main duties are to stay on top of conservation issues and keep our membership informed. It’s also terrific, but not mandatory, if you write a short article for each Naturally newsletter. Please contact Val Barnes (717-352-4397) to volunteer.
  • Help Bob Mulvihill find Loggerhead Shrikes in our area sometime this month; tentative dates are the week of June 16. Bob plans to walk in areas that look promising, after getting permission from landowners. If you have good property for Shrikes, or are willing to go out with Bob to look for them, please contact Bob directly at 412-522-5729.
  • Coordinate with the Pennsylvania Audubon Council on behalf of Conococheague Audubon about the Bird Habitat Recognition project. Please contact Val Barnes (717-352-4397) to volunteer.
  • Bluebird Trail monitors. Contact Lynn or Dorian Runt.
  • Garden care. Contact Josh Donaldson.
  • North Square Farmers Market, Chambersburg, PA on June 28, 2025 from 8:00 – 12:00. Contact Terri Kochert (263-3692) to help

Check the calendar for possible late-breaking additional updates and details about our activities..

Please bring family and friends to our events – we welcome new faces! Everything is open to everyone and is free.

Good birding!

May 2025 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Monthly Message, Outreach, ZoomTagged

Many folks have enjoyed spring field trips. Warblers abound! Join us when you can; see the calendar section for what’s planned. Please call the leader in advance.

Welcome to Jeff Schmaltz and Mike Fagan, who were elected to 3-year terms as directors at the April General Meeting.

Many thanks to outgoing directors Dave Ebbitt and Anne St. John. We will miss you, but look forward to your continued leadership and participation in new ways.

Join us for our last regular meeting of the season: May 12, Monday at 7:00 PM. PA Third Bird Atlas Update, One Year into the 5 Year Project, presented by member and atlas co-coordinator for Franklin County John Carter. Note that the last planning session for the Beginning Birders’ Workshop will happen just before the regular meeting, at 6:30 PM. These meetings are at our regular meeting place: St Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, (off Route 997, near Scotland exit off I-81) 2695 Luther Dr, Chambersburg, PA 17202. The meeting will also be available via Zoom.

Volunteer opportunities:

  • Ruth Barton is stepping down as Hospitality Chair. The main duty is setting up a table in the back of our meeting room to welcome newcomers. Feel free to talk to Ruth about what else is involved. Please be hospitable!.
  • John Greer is stepping down as Conservation Chair. The main duties are to stay on top of conservation issues and keep our membership informed. It’s also terrific, but not mandatory, if you write a short article for each Naturally newsletter. Who is willing to be our collective conscience about conservation?
  • Bluebird Trail monitors. Contact Lynn or Dorian Runt.
  • Garden care. Contact Josh Donaldson.
  • Greencastle-Antrim Middle School Fish Release, May 15. Terri Kochert, Val Barnes, Dave Ebbitt. Anyone else?
  • Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale, May 17. Ron George and Dave Ebbitt. 9am – 1 pm at Franklin County Human Services Building. 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg.
  • Ride along with Bob Mulvihill, looking for Loggerhead Shrikes in our area. May 13, 14, 15, and TBD in mid-late June / early July. Anyone interested in riding along? Contact Bob directly at 412-522-5729.
  • Beginning Birders’ Workshop on June 7 at Caledonia. Many volunteers. Contact Janet Tice. Last planning session will be at 6:30 before the May general meeting on Monday, May 12 at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, .
  • Appalachian Trail Festival, Red Run Park, Waynesboro, PA on June 14, 2025 from 9:00 – 3:00. Terri Kochert, Debby and Jim Hook. Anyone else?
  • North Square Farmers Market, Chambersburg, PA on June 28, 2025 from 8:00 – 12:00. Terri Kochert. Anyone else?

Please bring family and friends to our events – we welcome new faces! Everything is open to everyone and is free.

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