It’s a dreary November day here in Fayetteville, but the birds are mobbing my feeders, so all is well, sort of.

We lost Conococheague Audubon charter member Joan Bowen in late November and will miss her wry wit, historical knowledge, and excellent birding skills. She introduced many of us to local hot spots. A Varied Thrush visited her Caledonia cabin in 1978 and she found a Lark ~~Bunting~~ Sparrow (!) along Shatzer Road one recent winter. Her American Woodcock “peent” imitation was legend. She was a chapter officer, zone captain and the overall compiler for the Chambersburg Area Christmas Bird Count for many years.

Many thanks to Anne St. John for stepping up to handle Publicity. As of this moment, we have no vacant leadership positions!

Upcoming activities include:

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/.

Dec. 12, Monday, MEETING, at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg. 7:00 PM The Movement Ecology of Vultures: Tracking Nature’s Essential Workers, by David Barber. Will be available for viewing at St. Luke or from home via Zoom. Arranged by Lisa Coombs.

Winter, FIELD TRIP. Sign up by Dec. 12 for possible visit to Gettysburg Battlefield for SHORT-EARED OWLS (name, contact information). Bob Kochert, 717-263-3692, will advise as to sightings. Meet at Norlo Park Community Center.

Dec. 14, Wednesday, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. All day, Franklin/Fulton Counties. Vern Gauthier, 717-385-9526, verngauthier14@gmail.com.

Dec. 17, Saturday, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. All day, Chambersburg area. No tally dinner. Valerie Barnes, 717-352-4397.

Dec. 28, Wednesday, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. All day, York Springs area. Tim Johnson, 717-409-4805, tj359@sbcglobal.net.

Dec 31, 2022, Sat., CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT. All day, Newville area. Vern Gauthier, 717-385-9526, verngauthier14@gmail.com.

Jan. 9, 2023 Monday, MEETING. 6:00 PM Covered dish dinner and members’ photo show. All are welcome.

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. If you are making any purchases through Amazon, please consider using this link so that a tiny portion of your purchase amount is credited to Conococheague Audubon by Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1485719. Your purchase amount will not be affected.

May you have a wonderful end of 2022 and see lots of good birds,

Valerie Barnes, President

Dear Conococheague Auduboners and friends –

The winter finch forecast has been updated. Watch for Evening Grosbeaks; some have been spotted in both Fulton and Franklin Counties! Black-capped Chickadees are also being reported routinely in the area.

Winners of our 2021-2022 Youth Contests will be announced at the beginning of our regular meeting on Monday, November 14.

If you would like to participate for the first time in 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. If you counted last year, your zone captain should contact you and you don’t need to contact the compiler.

We continue to look for someone to handle Publicity for our activities. Please contact Valerie Barnes to volunteer.

Upcoming CAS activities include:

November 17, Thursday at Living Faith Chapel. FILM

7:00 PM Return of the Clouded Leopards (National Geographic). A pair of rare leopard cubs are rescued from poachers and raised to learn how to live in the wild. Door prizes, one free youth binoculars prize.

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 the rest of fall and see lots of good birds,

Valerie Barnes, President

December 2022 from the President

November 2022 from the President

Fall Migrants Field Trip – Heisey/Michaux SF

Intro to Birding