Happy New Year! May 2025 be full of friends, family, and good birds.

Here are some highlights from the Chambersburg Christmas Bird Count conducted on December 14, 2024. 71 observers in the field recorded 20,345 individual birds, up from 2023. Two zones reported a Peregrine Falcon, seen only on 7 prior counts. White-winged Crossbills were found in Caledonia State Park on count day and the following day, but haven’t been reported since. A Palm Warbler was observed for only the third time on this CBC. Only a few feeder watchers saw Red-breasted Nuthatch; no one in the field saw one. We had (slightly) record highs of Bald Eagle (10), Common Raven (25), and Hermit Thrush (21). Only 3 waterfowl species were seen (Canada Goose, Mallard, and American Wigeon) and the numbers of Geese and Mallards were below normal. When all the data are compiled, look for the details on our website under the Observation Records page. Right now, you will see a placeholder; when the actual results are available, they’ll be posted there.

Many thanks to the George P. and Martha B. Buckey Fund, a charitable fund of the Franklin County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) for an unexpected grant to CAS last month. The gift will help us in our mission to promote conservation of wildlife.

Thanks, too, to Jim and Deb Wheeling. Attendees at our December 2024 meeting enjoyed and admired several of the fine art bird prints that Jim and Deb contributed to CAS. Some folks put cash in a donation bucket and took home a print.

We hope to see you at our annual covered dish dinner and members’ photo show on January 13 at 6 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church. Members typically contribute one dinner item and/or a dessert. Coffee, tea, and pots/jugs of water will be provided. Bring your own table setting, including a napkin, flatware, plate, bowl, and mug/cup. Let’s try to avoid plastic and disposable items! If you have a few photos you wish to share, please bring them on a USB thumb drive. Bring a friend; all are welcome!

A reminder: Our next free nature film, Woodpeckers: the Hole Story, will be shown on Thursday, January 30 at Chambersburg Area Middle School South starting at 7 PM. Door prizes will be awarded after the film.