Recently, as I was stalking a mixed flock of sparrows at Furnace Run Park, my birding partner warned, “Watch where you step. The last time I was here, I almost stepped on a caterpillar.” Of course, when she tells me to do something, I do it . . . well, usually, and as usual, I was glad I did. As I stepped carefully among the tufts of grass and aster blossoms, I noticed something next to my foot moving in a decidedly wriggly way. It was, of course, a caterpillar. 

I leaned over for a closer look. A dark green caterpillar as big around as my little finger but longer curled in the grass. An orange knob at one end appeared to be the head. The sides were ridged accordion-style and spattered with tiny yellow spots. Along the back, pairs of larger yellow dots replaced the speckling and divided the body into eight segments. At the other end, a single bright orange horn protruded menacingly. As I studied its field marks, I realized that I had never seen this particular species of caterpillar before. It was a lifer!

To be honest, I don’t have a life-list of caterpillars. Personally, I have a better chance of identifying the fall Blackpoll Warbler that we saw later that day than recognizing a caterpillar species. I am told that it was a White-Lined Sphinx Moth caterpillar. Happily, just like in birding, you don’t have to identify something to appreciate it. In fact, many of us who have developed an appreciation for birds are also drawn to the “wonders of nature” even if we can’t identify everything we see, and we soon discover, as Robin Wall Kimmerer notes in her book Gathering Moss, “. . . the already gorgeous world is even more beautiful the closer you look.”

For those of us who are already interested in the wonderous world of insects and for those who are curious to learn more, CAS has two great offerings in November. On November 9th at our regular monthly meeting, Jill Zdunczyk of the Xerces Society will present “Protecting the Jewels of the Night – Firefly Education,” and on November 12th CAS will offer our first free nature film of the season, The Extraordinary Caterpillar. Come to either or both and be inspired, informed, and amazed! 

Details about both events are listed below. Details about ALL of our events can be found on our website: conococheagueaudubon.org

Charitable Contribution Committee 

If you have ideas about conservation / bird-related organizations CAS should support, please contact Valerie Barnes, chair of our Charitable Contributions committee (conaudubon@outlook.com or 717-352-4397).

Get Involved with CAS

Join the fun and help CAS in its efforts to support conservation and spread interest in nature, especially birds. We are currently seeking volunteers to pitch in with the following.

Annual Christmas Bird Counts: Christmas Bird Count (CBC) Volunteers Needed

You can help to gather data about bird populations for any or all of the counts listed below. Each count takes place on one day within a particular fifteen-mile-diameter circle. Each circle is divided into zones. Count leaders assign areas within the zones to volunteer counters who make an effort to count every bird within that territory on count day. More details, including maps, are available in the events calendar on our website. 

If you live within a count area, you can sign-up to be a feeder watcher. If you’re a new volunteer and want to count in the field, email the count leaders listed below.

CBC Dates

• December 15 (Tuesday) Franklin/Fulton counties verngauthier14@gmail.com
• December 19 (Saturday) Chambersburg area lcoombs58@gmail.com
• January 2 (Saturday) Newville area verngauthier14@gmail.com

Pot Luck Dinner: The annual pot luck dinner will be held January 11 at 6:00. Volunteers are needed to help with setting up and cleaning up. Contact Donna Hocker dlhocker@yahoo.com 

WebsiteTrainee: Val Barnes is looking for anyone who is interested in learning the ins and outs of managing our website. The website provides a vital link for members to find the latest information about our activities etc., and helping Val to keep it up-to-date would be a great way to help CAS do what we do. You don’t need to be an expert; all you need is a desire to learn! You can email conaudubon@outlook.com if you have questions or would like to volunteer.

Vice President: Currently the position acts as an assistant to the president, and the vice president will not be required to become president at the end of their term. If you’re considering volunteering, we can discuss how you would like to contribute to the leadership team of CAS. 

Financial Support: If you wish to donate, send your check to Conococheague Audubon Society, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222. Thanks to all who donate!

Everything Else: Email conaudubon@outlook.com if you would like to get involved in any of our activities: 

• presenting free nature films to the public
• contributing photos and articles to our newsletter Naturally
• monitoring Bluebird trails
• maintaining birdfeeders at Caledonia State Park
• leading bird trips
• offering our yearly Beginning Birder Workshop,
• caring for the Native Plant Garden at Norlo Park
• collecting trash as part of our adopt-a-highway project 
• providing outreach to the public

Thanks to everyone who volunteers! 

Upcoming Events

SOAR Bird Walks Year-round, first and third Saturday of every month, 8:00 am. Various locations. Check the website for locations: SOAR Bird Walks are Year-Round – Buttonwood Nature Center Trip leaders: Larry and Sharon Williams

Nature Film: The Extraordinary Caterpillar, Thursday Nov. 12, 2026, 7:00-8:30 pm, Chambersburg Area Middle School South, 1151 E. McKinley St., Chambersburg. Door prizes! Free admission!

Visit our website for all our planned activities for the coming season.

Next Meetings

General Meeting, Monday Nov. 9, 2026, 7:00 pm: “Protecting the Jewels of the Night – Firefly Education,” presented by Jill Zdunczyk of the Xerces Society. St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr, Chambersburg or via Zoom.

Joint Board/Executive Committee Meeting, Monday Nov. 23, 2026, 6:30-9:00, St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Dr, Chambersburg.

Note about Zoom: The link to our Zoom meetings can always be found on our website. If you plan to attend any of our upcoming meetings via Zoom, be aware that you will need to be registered for a (free) Zoom account. Once you sign-in to the meeting, you will enter a “waiting room” before you are admitted into the meeting.