Fall migration is underway, and interesting shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds have been seen. A Stilt Sandpiper has been hanging out on White Church Road. Earlier in the month an Eared Grebe was at the Greencastle Reservoir. Folks have reported Yellow-Bellied and Olive-sided Flycatchers. eBird alerts can inform you about rarities in the area.
The owners of the pond on Keefer Road west of Chambersburg have posted No Trespassing signs to keep unwanted visitors off the property. But they still welcome birders. Be sure to respect all landowners.
The Big Sit® is scheduled for October 7-8, 2023. Select your 17-foot diameter circle and sign up to participate. Report your results via eBird. It’s a great excuse to sit outside on a beautiful fall day and watch birds!
Audubon Mid-Atlantic is holding Philly Birding Weekend October 13-15. Planned excursions include walks in local watersheds and parks, a paddle on the Strawberry Mansion Reservoir, Saturday night celebratory Tally Rally. Register now if you are interested. Last year, participants observed 93 species.
Conservation Corner Tip to Fight Plastic Pollution: At check-out, refuse the store-supplied plastic bag. Reuse your own shopping bag you bring with you. This will reduce the number of plastic bags that end up in the landfill.
Upcoming CAS Activities. Check this website for calendar updates and maps to all locations.
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. 9, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 7:30 AM, for FALL MIGRANTS. Walk along part of Cumberland Valley Rail Trail in Chambersburg. Meet at Big Lots, 184 Southgate Mall, parking lot next to Washington Street. Bring binoculars. Debby Hook, 717-372-0228, debbyk@pa.net.
Sept. 11, Monday, MEETING. 7:00 PM Birding Belize, by Chris & Rebecca Payne. Arranged by John Greer.
Oct. 9, Monday, MEETING. 6:45 PM Youth Contest Bird Photos & Lists due. Program starts at 7:00 PM: Birding Antarctica, by Mike & Cheryl Saylor. Arranged by Dave Ebbitt.
Oct. 28, Saturday, FIELD TRIP. 8:00 AM Secrets of the Forest, Avian and Human. Join us at Pine Grove Furnace State Park as we look for fall migrants and learn about the secret history of the area. Meet in the parking lot of the Park office at the intersection of Rt. 233 and Pine Grove Rd. We will bird the area and then drive a short distance to Camp Michaux, site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, a World War II Prisoner of War camp, and a church camp. We will also check out the nearby bird blinds newly installed by the Bureau of Forestry. Wear sturdy shoes. Contact in advance John Greer at 443-255-8871 or jngreer@aol.com. Update: The leader of the Camp Michaux Recognition and Development project for the Cumberland County Historical Society has volunteered to lead us on a historical tour, which will follow our birding outing at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Please join us for this unique opportunity to learn about the natural and human history of the area.
You might want to check this National Audubon article about how to tell a raven from a crow: https://www.audubon.org/news/how-tell-raven-crow
Thanks for your support for Conococheague Audubon and the birds! If you haven’t mailed in a donation yet, it’s not too late. Please make out your check to Conococheague Audubon and mail to CAS, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222.
Good birding!