Dear Conococheague Auduboners and friends –
It certainly feels like fall, with cooler days and nights. Some of our fall/winter visitors are checking in, with Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak each making an appearance at my house in the past few weeks.
This month we are focused on a project with Michaux State Forest. The foresters are working to restore habitat at a few locations where a patch of forest was cleared several years ago. Come listen to PA Department of Forestry’s Mike Wright describe the project at our 7 PM October 10 general meeting at St. Luke Evangelical Church. Then join John and Sue Greer on a couple of field trips to visit the sites and learn how you can help monitor birds there.
Our 2021-2022 Youth Contests end on October 10. Participants, please submit your bird photos and lists of birds observed to Terri Kochert just before our general meeting starts.
If you are interested in recording the birds you observe on a Christmas Bird Count, please contact Valerie Barnes (BarnesVa4@comcast.net or 717-352-4397) for the December 17 Chambersburg area count and/or Vern Gauthier (verngauthier14@gmail.com or 717-385-9526) for the December 14 Buchanan Trail CBC in Franklin/Fulton Counties.
The Big Sit, originated by the New Haven Bird Club, kicks off Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 12 a.m. midnight and closes Sunday, October 9, at 11:59 p.m. Designate a 17-foot circle and observe everything you can from inside that area. Report your results via eBird. Visit www.thebigsit.org to learn more.
We continue to look for someone to handle Publicity for our activities. Please contact Valerie Barnes to volunteer.
The winter finch forecast is available at https://finchnetwork.org/winter-finch-forecast-2022. There’s nothing too exciting forecast, but we should watch for Redpolls, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, and Purple Finch.
Upcoming activities include:
- Oct. 10, Monday MEETING. 6:45 PM Youth Contest Bird Photos & Lists due. 7:00 PM Bird Monitoring Project in Michaux State Forest, Mike Wright, Bureau of Forestry. The presenter will come to us from a remote location via Zoom. Arranged by Sue and John Greer.
- Oct. 22, Saturday FIELD TRIP. 8:00 AM “Introduction to Bird Monitoring Project in the Michaux, Part 1.” 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. John Greer, 443-255-8871, jngreer@aol.com.
- Oct. 29, Saturday FIELD TRIP. 8:00 AM “Introduction to Bird Monitoring Project in the Michaux, Part 2.” 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. John Greer, 443-255-8871, jngreer@aol.com.
- Nov. 5, Saturday FIELD TRIP. 8:00 AM for FALL MIGRATION at The Conococheague Institute. Meet at the Visitor Center, 12995 Bain Rd, Mercersburg. Bring Binoculars. Larry and Sharon Williams, 717-655-7414.
Check the calendar event on our website for updates.
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. May you enjoy fall and see lots of good birds,
Valerie Barnes, President