Spring has certainly sprung! Early blooms abound, birds are coming through, and some are staking out territory claims. It’s a great time to get out and appreciate all that nature offers.
Thursday, May 4 is “Bird Day” and we are celebrating! Sponsored by the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, come to 15 South Main Street Chambersburg, PA 17201 for a noontime Lunch & Learn. The Bird Day Lunch & Learn begins at noon and is offered at no charge. Lunch menu: Variety of wraps, soup, fruit, and cookie with lemonade, iced tea, and water. Please Reserve a Spot at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-learn-may-4-is-bird-day-tickets-624012296577 Activities will continue Friday, May 5 from 5 PM-8PM (no registration required).
If you participate in any of our activities, please sign and submit a waiver form, available on this site under Activities. Please mail the completed form to Conococheague Audubon Society, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222 or bring it to a meeting or field trip.
We held annual elections at our April meeting. Incoming Board of Director members are Jim Hook, Linda Kaiser, and Cindy Thrasher (intern). They assume their new roles at the May meeting. Debby Hook will be our new Recording Secretary and John Greer will take on Conservation Chair responsibilities. Other officers, directors, and committee chairs remain the same. We thank outgoing leaders Ron George, Jim Hardy, Eric Martin, and Rhetta Martin and look forward to their continuing support in different areas.
We also passed a few changes to our By-Laws related to when local-only members renew their memberships, all officers may be re-elected for multiple two-year terms, and language clarifying that officers and directors are immune from personal liability for actions taken on behalf of CAS.
Conococheague Audubon is a presence in the community at many events, with most volunteers at special events organized by Education – Outreach Chair, Terri Kochert. Your help would be most appreciated. Here are upcoming 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.
- Bird Day events being planned by the Franklin County Visitors Bureau for 4 and 5 May. See above for details about 4 May event. The May 5 activities will happen as part of Chambersburg’s monthly First Friday, 5 PM – 8 PM. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692.
- Monitor birds on Michaux State Forest, Contact John or Sue Greer, jngreer@aol.com or 443-255-8871
- Beginning Birders’ Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at Caledonia. Volunteers needed! Final planning session will occur at 6:15 PM prior to our May 8 regular meeting at St Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church. Contact Dave Cooney Jr. at (717) 264-2116 or slant1cm@yahoo.com, or Janet Tice at (717) 372-0379 or jwtice1@comcast.net.
- Appalachian Trail Festival on Saturday, June 10 from 10 AM- 4 PM at Red Run Park in Waynesboro (12143 Buchanan Trail East). Contact Debby Hook at 717-372-0228 or debbyk@pa.net.
- Coming on some Saturdays (probably 4th Saturday, June – September) this summer: display table at Chambersburg Farmers’ Market. Details TBD. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692.
May is full of CAS activities. Please call the field trip leader in advance and be at the meeting place a few minutes early. It’s a good idea to double-check the details about a trip on our website’s calendar.
May 4, Thursday, FIELD TRIP. 6:30 AM Fort McCord area for SPRING ARRIVALS/MIGRANTS. Meet at North Pointe Center, US 11 north of Chambersburg. Some walking. Bring lunch and binoculars. Bill Oyler,717-360-5191.
May 5, Friday, FIELD TRIP. 6:00 PM Lehman property for Spring Migrants. Meet at 750 Tallow Hill Road, Chambersburg, to walk around a pond, meadows and woods. Larry Lehman, 717-263-7203.
May 6, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 7:00 AM Horse Valley for SPRING MIGRANTS. Meet at North Pointe Center, US 11 north of Chambersburg. Bring lunch and binoculars. Valerie Barnes, 717-352-4397or Donna Hocker, 717-491-2171.
May 8, Monday, MEETING. 7:00 PM Bird Banding by Paul Engman. Program focus: Cape May Raptor Banding Project generally and the changes seen in the fall migration over 5 decades of banding. Available to view in-person at St. Luke Evangelical Church. Mr. Engman will present using film slides, so no Zoom.
May 13, Saturday, FIELD TRIP, NEW DATE. 6:30 AM Stillhouse Hollow, Heisey Road Orchard, and some local farms for SPRING MIGRANTS. Leave from Keener’s home, 5207 Heisey Road. Bring scopes, binoculars, and lunch. Bob Keener, 717-532-9723 or 717-658-8765.
May 13, Saturday, WORK DAY. 9:30 AM Work at NORLO PARK native garden. Bring garden tools and gloves. Josh Donaldson, 717-264-6920.
May 15-17, Mon.-Wed., FIELD TRIP. Trip to Magee Marsh, Ohio, for WARBLER MIGRANTS. Bring scopes, binoculars, and lunch. Make own hotel arrangements. Bob and Terri Kochert, 717-263-3692.
May 20, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 5:00 PM Edenville area for WHIP-POOR-WILLS and BOBOLINKS. Leave from Sunnyway Foods parking lot, 49 Warm Spring Road, Chambersburg. Bring scopes and binoculars. Eric and Rhetta Martin, 717-597-8675.
June 3, Saturday, WORKSHOP. 7:45 AM Beginning Birders’ Workshop. 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, jwtice1@comcast.net.
National Audubon invites us to learn more about the Canada (not Canadian) Goose. For instance, “goslings … can learn to swim within one day of being born.”
Thank you for your continued support and interest, and good birding!