Outreach – Page 3 – Conococheague Audubon

February 2023 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on February 8, 2023February 8, 2023Posted in Birds, Conservation, How to Get Involved, Monthly Message, OutreachTagged donate

Winter is here, but I’m glad we haven’t had much snow to deal with (yet). Not many birds are coming to feeders at my house. Sometimes there’s a Sharp-shinned Hawk hanging around, but I can’t always attribute the paucity of birds to that.

Coming up soon: You can count birds anywhere for the Great Backyard Bird Count! The 26th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 17, through Monday, February 20, 2023. Please visit the official website at birdcount.org for more information. Anyone can count anywhere for as little as 15 minutes, or as long as you wish. Keep separate lists for each location on each day that you bird. Report results via eBird. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an inter-organizational effort between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.

Volunteer opportunities:

Monitor Bluebird Trail boxes. Contact Dorian/Lynn Runt, adamsmail@centurylink.net or 717-352-4995.
Clean up and help maintain the native plants garden at Norlo Park. Contact Josh Donaldson, jd425@embarqmail.com or 717-264-6920.
We are looking for help at a new Bird Day event being planned by the Franklin County Visitors Bureau for 4 May. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692.
We need 2 new Directors to serve a 3-year term starting in May. Contact Ron George, Eric Martin, or Terri Kochert.
Plant trees at the new Furnace Run Park in Southampton Township ~April 14-16.

Thanks to all who have made a donation to keep Conococheague Audubon alive. It’s never too late to mail a check to CAS at PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222.

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) would be happy to have you as a member. They publish a periodic report about birds seen in the state, sponsor the PA Bird Atlas projects, hold meetings, and conduct field trips. To learn more about PSO, visit pabirds.org. To join, visit this link: Join PSO.

September 2022 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on September 4, 2022September 4, 2022Posted in Birds, How to Get Involved, Monthly Message, OutreachTagged birds, donate

Dear Conococheague Auduboners and friends –

The days are still hot, but some nights are cooler. Fall must be coming! In my backyard I’ve recently seen a very young Northern Cardinal and several young Blue Jays. It seems late for both species to be fledging. More typical are the young American Goldfinch, one of the latest breeding birds in our area.

Member donations are our main means of support. So, if you haven’t already, please make whatever contribution you can and mail it to Conococheague Audubon Society, P.O. Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222. If you are a local-only member, this is also the standard time to renew your membership. Local-only membership costs $15 for the year; please consider making a donation as well.

We continue to hope one of you will volunteer to contact local media outlets as Publicity Chair. Please contact me (Valerie Barnes). If you are interested in joining Terri Kochert at our display table at the Chambersburg Farmers Market on September 24, please contact Terri.

Our activities begin this month:

Year-round , BIRD WALKS. SOAR (Studying Ornithology Around the Region) walks, 8:00 AM first and third Saturdays; various locations in Franklin County. Larry and Sharon Williams, 717-655-7414; or The Institute, 717-762-0373, https://natureandcultureinstitute.org/events/.
Sept. 10, 2022, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 7:15 AM for FALL MIGRANTS. Meet at 7:15 AM at the Park and Ride, Scotland Exit 20, I-81 northbound. 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. Bring binoculars and snack. Bill Oyler, 717-360-5191, oylerbill@gmail.com.
Sept. 12, Monday, MEETING. 7:00 PM Weird and Wonderful Birds, Jeanne Verhulst. A fun look at unusual birds. Speaker via Zoom. Arranged by Janet Tice.
Sept 20-22, Tues.-Thurs., FIELD TRIP. Trip to Cape May NJ for WARBLERS. Options for migrating raptors and seabirds. Bring scopes and binoculars. Find and make your own motel and meal arrangements. Signup deadline is Sept. 16. Sue Greer, 443-255-9559, sgreer412@gmail.com.

Check the calendar event on our website for updates.

The American Ornithological Society establishes the official common English names for bird species. AOS is trying to change harmful and exclusionary English bird names in a thoughtful and proactive way to address racial and cultural issues associated with some species’ names. Just for fun, the National Audubon Society is asking for suggestions about renaming several species currently tagged with someone’s last name. You can submit your ideas online. According to a recent email, NAS established a Board Task Force to “examine the name and the legacy of John James Audubon. This initiative is integral to the organization’s mission to root itself in equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging and the need to interrogate our present decisions through the prism of the Audubon that we would like to become in the future.”

If you would like to order a Conococheague Audubon T-shirt, please check out your options on the Chapter T-Shirt page of our website. Contact Donna Hocker, Treasurer, to place your order. We must order at least 12 at a time, any mix of sizes.

Enjoy the end of summer and early fall. Good birding!

Valerie Barnes, President

August 2022 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on August 2, 2022August 2, 2022Posted in Birds, How to Get Involved, Monthly Message, OutreachTagged birds

Dear Conococheague Auduboners and Friends,

Shorebirds are starting to come through. If you are interested, some good places to visit are Antrim Commons, the Greencastle Reservoir, and local farm ponds. Songbirds won’t be far behind.

Our leaders have settled the upcoming season’s activities and will be mailing it to you soon. In the meantime, you may access the Activities List file here. We are starting to put the activities into the calendar on this site, so stay tuned. Our first meeting will be on September 12th and Bill Oyler will lead our first field trip on September 10th. We will meet again at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church (off Route 997, near the Scotland exit of I-81), 2695 Luther Dr, Chambersburg, PA 17202, with Zoom as an option for most meetings. Two nature films will be shown at two locations in November and March: Chambersburg Area Middle School South and Living Faith Chapel. When you receive the annual mailing, check your address label to see when your membership expires.

We are still looking for someone to contact local media outlets with Publicity about our activities. Most of this happens through Facebook. If you are on Facebook, please step up. We need your help! There are also two Saturdays left when Terri Kochert will set up a display table at the Chambersburg Farmers Market (August 27 and September 24). Please contact Terri if you can join her between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Folks enjoy stopping by to talk about “their” birds.

This year, almost 2,500 photographers from across the United States and Canada submitted nearly 10,000 photographs and videos to Audubon’s 13th annual Audubon Photography Awards. Check out the winners!

Enjoy the rest of summer and good birding,

Valerie Barnes, President

July 2022 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on July 11, 2022July 11, 2022Posted in Birds, Conservation, How to Get Involved, Monthly Message, OutreachTagged birds, flowers

Dear Conococheague Auduboners and friends –

Some Scarlet Tanagers are still singing, and the House Wrens seem to be feeding whoever is in the nest box. Summer is definitely here!

Terri Kochert has graciously agreed to be our Outreach coordinator. (I hope her arm isn’t too sore after the twisting I gave it.) She has been involved in most of our outreach activities for the past few years, and, like Debby Hook, really enjoys engaging with the public about birds and Audubon. Please offer her your support by volunteering to help at such events. Or, help in advance by preparing materials for display. Bottom line: we need your help!

In that vein, there are three more Chambersburg Farmers’ Market Saturdays for us this summer: July 23, August 27, and September 24. The time is brief for each day, just 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. It’s a great way to spend part of a Saturday morning, and you can visit the rest of the market booths while you are there. Corn should be available starting this week. J Please contact Terri (717-263-3692) if you want to help.

We are on hiatus as far as meetings and field trips go. Our next meeting will be on September 12^th and the next field trip is September 10^th. We will be posting the schedule later this summer and sending you the new Activities List in August. We are still looking for someone to contact local media outlets with Publicity about our activities. Most of this happens through Facebook these days. So, if you are familiar with Facebook, please step up, or we won’t have as much engagement with the community. Contact me (Val Barnes) at conaudubon@outlook.com or 717-352-4397 to learn more.

To celebrate the joy birds bring to our lives, National Audubon released Volume II of For the Birds: The Birdsong Project, produced by Grammy Award-winning music supervisor Randall Poster. In collaboration with some of the world’s greatest musicians, artists, and actors, the collection features all-new tracks by artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Elvis Costello, Very Nice Person, Hania Rani, The Flaming Lips, Michael Uzowuru, Mary Lattimore, Matthew McConaughey, Inara George and Van Dyke Parks, Jeff Goldblum, Stephin Merritt, and many more. Listen now at https://www.audubon.org/birdsong-project

According to a press release from Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: On June 17, 2022, “leaders from seven state agencies today highlighted the importance of protecting native species, which are critical to protecting our natural resources, at a stream restoration site at Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission headquarters. Governor Tom Wolf has proclaimed the first Pennsylvania Native Species Day.”

“Pennsylvania has 2.2 million acres of state forests, millions of acres of state park and game lands, and private forestlands that must be protected from invasive species,” DCNR Assistant State Forester Matt Keefer said. “Protecting our native plants and forests is critical to keeping Pennsylvania landscapes beautiful and productive for future generations.”

Conococheague Audubon promotes native plants through the Norlo Park garden we established and maintain. Check it out, and contact Josh Donaldson (717-264-6920) if you want to help pull weeds or plant natives in the garden. You might also consider planting more natives on your own property. They are easier to maintain than non-natives, and benefit birds and other species as well.

Here’s hoping you have a safe and happy Fourth of July. Stay cool and may you see lots of good birds.

Val Barnes, President

June 2022 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on May 31, 2022May 31, 2022Posted in Conservation, How to Get Involved, Monthly Message, Outreach

Dear Conococheague Auduboners and Friends –

Let’s all give heartfelt thanks to outgoing president, Terri Kochert. She navigated our organization through the COVID-19 pandemic with grace, patience, and creativity. She made sure we held as many activities as we safely could, and we all learned about new technologies along the way. Thank you, Terri! Many thanks, too, to Debby Hook, who was extremely active as Immediate Past President and Education – Outreach chair.

What is Conococheague Audubon Society and why do we exist? The local Conococheague Audubon Society was organized in 1961 as the Conococheague Naturalists. Anyone joining the National Audubon Society in our general area automatically becomes a member of the Conococheague Audubon Society (CAS). We are a family-friendly group with over 300 members primarily from Franklin, Cumberland and Fulton Counties. We have an active membership of 40-70 people who attend meetings regularly and support our activities. We are supported by donations and a small dues-sharing income from the National Audubon Society.

Our mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems focusing on birds, wildlife in general, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Our goals are to promote the conservation of wildlife and the natural environment and encourage interest in the study of nature; to provide the opportunity for study and observation of birds, other wildlife, and plants; to contribute to research in the fields of conservation and ornithology by monetary support and/or active participation; and to educate the public on the need to protect wild birds and animals, trees and plants, soil, air and water and promote a better public understanding of these natural resources.

We end this season with two critical committee vacancies: Education – Outreach and Publicity. We cannot accomplish our mission and goals without someone in each position. Some long-term members look at me and wonder why I am president – again. I stepped forward because no one else would. Won’t you please step forward now and help? In the May Naturally, Debby Hook described the Education – Outreach position. The Publicity chair shares information about our activities with local media. Please contact me about helping.

As we wind down for this season, we still have a few great activities planned. Please call the leader in advance and be at the meeting place a few minutes early.

June 4, Saturday, BEGINNING BIRDERS’ WORKSHOP. 7:45-noon. Meet at Visitors’ Center in Caledonia State Park, Fayetteville; park in first parking lot beyond Visitors’ Center. Bring binoculars; a few pairs available for loan. Pre-register with Dave Cooney, 717-264-2116 or Janet Tice, 717-372-0379. We still have openings available. Come to participate or to help as a Birding Buddy.
June 11, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 7:00 AM – 1 PM. South Mountain/ Caledonia/ Michaux Important Bird Area for SPRING MIGRANTS. Bring scopes and binoculars Meeting place: Caledonia State Park. Leave from second parking lot beyond Visitors’ Center in Caledonia State Park. Eric and Rhetta Martin, 717-597-8675. We often see/hear birds that breed in higher elevations locally.
June 17-20, Friday-Monday, CONSERVATION COUNT. Breeding Bird Blitz Conservation Count and fundraiser organized by Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO). All day for 1-4 days, Join a team for fundraising opportunities, and/or sponsor one or more teams. PSO will select the organizations that will benefit. See www.breedingbirdblitz.org for info. Vern Gauthier, 717-385-9526.
June 18, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM. Easy walk on Chambersburg section of Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, with extra help for beginning birders. Bring binoculars and field guide. Location: Meet at Big Lots parking lot next to Washington Street to walk along Chambersburg section of Cumberland Valley Rail-Trail. Debby Hook, 717-372-0228.

Please check our website for updates: www.ConococheagueAudubon.org

To date, Conococheague Audubon Society members have donated more than $5,000 for the Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC) in central Guatemala to support their capital campaign to purchase 390 acres on which the center is built. If you plan to make a donation, you may write out a check to “Conococheague Audubon Society” and send it to: Conococheague Audubon, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222. Please indicate “CCFC donation” in the memo area of your check. We will accept donations until July 1, 2022.

National Audubon is sponsoring “For the Birds: The Birdsong Project”. It is a historic outpouring of creativity by more than 200 artists to celebrate the music and joy that birds bring into our lives—and to raise awareness about the need to protect them. Listen today and all proceeds will benefit @National Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/birdsong-project.

May you enjoy the songs and gorgeous plumages of our feathered friends, both those who are just passing through and those who are nesting locally. Good birding!

Valerie Barnes, President

Contact me at ConAudubon@outlook.com