Conococheague Audubon Society

PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222

ConAudubon@outlook.com

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April 2023 from the President

By casbirdsPosted on Posted in Monthly Message, Outreach, ZoomTagged

Our annual business meeting will take place at St Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church at 7 PM on Monday, April 10. First up will be The Birds and the Bees, presented by Tracy Snyder, Penn State Bee Monitoring program.

The rest of the meeting will involve elections for new directors, voting on proposed changes to our Constitution/By-Laws, and reports from officers and committees. For the elections and voting to be valid, we must have a quorum, so PLEASE VOTE! There are three ways you may vote: in person at the April 10 meeting, sending an email to mailto:ConAudubon@outlook.com, or by calling Valerie Barnes at 717-352-4397.

VOTING:

1.  Nominees for Director are Jim Hook, Linda Kaiser, and Cindy Thrasher. You may vote for all three or fewer. 

 Jim Hook: VOTE Yes or No

 Linda Kaiser: VOTE Yes or No

 Cindy Thrasher: VOTE Yes or No

2. Please see the file named ConstByLaws2023-03-13.pdf to review the proposed changes to our Constitution/By-Laws. Proposed changes are marked in red.

Article II: Most local-only members renew their membership in September, but some are on a different schedule. Insertion of “normally” in Section 6.b. acknowledges that.  VOTE on this proposed change: Yes or No

Article IV: Proposes that all officers (including President and Vice President) may be re-elected for multiple two-year terms. This gives us more flexibility going forward. VOTE on this proposed change: Yes or No

Article V: Adds language clarifying that officers and directors are immune from personal liability for actions taken on behalf of CAS. As mentioned last month, we have been reviewing our organization’s liability insurance coverage. These new clauses are proposed as a result of that review. We will be purchasing new liability insurance for officers and directors; these new clauses support the coverage provided by the insurance. VOTE on these proposed changes: Yes or No.

Officer and Committee Chairs: Please send a written report for this fiscal year to Valerie Barnes (barnesva4@comcast.net) and ConAudubon@outlook.com by April 3. Please report status, accomplishments, the number of people reached by your endeavors, expenditures, plans and requested funding for next year, and hours spent. Our current fiscal year runs from June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023. If you need to update your report after April 3 (perhaps because not everything is finished yet for the fiscal year), just send a revised file to Val and the CAS email address. During the meeting on April 10, we’ll ask you to present the highlights.

It’s spring and thoughts turn to our gardens and yards, in addition to migrating birds. To see stellar photographs showing birds on native plants from National Audubon Society visit: These 12 birds are thriving with native plants  And, from Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Landscaping for Birds: 7 Important Plant Group

National Audubon announced that they are keeping the name “Audubon”. See more details regarding the decision by visiting https://www.audubon.org/news/open-letter-ceo-audubons-name

We have many Upcoming Activities scheduled this spring. As always, please let the field trip leader know in advance that you plan to attend. And check the Calendar on this website for updates.

We have many Volunteer Opportunities coming up. Please help represent Conococheague Audubon at these community outreach events.

  • 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.
  • Be at our table during the Conococheague Institute’s  Get to Know Nature: Learning then Conserving event planned for Saturday, April 15, 2023 during some portion of the time span 10am to 4pm. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692.
  • We are looking for help at a new Bird Day event being planned by the Franklin County Visitors Bureau for 4 and 5 May. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692.
  • Monitor birds on Michaux State Forest, Contact John Greer, jngreer@aol.com or 443-255-8871 or Sue Greer, Sgreer412@gmail.com or 443-255-9559.
  • Plant trees at the new Furnace Run Park in Southampton Township ~April 14-16. Contact Ron George, writinron@comcast.net or 717-446-4183.
  • Beginning Birders’ Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at Caledonia. Volunteers needed! Planning sessions will occur at 6:15 PM prior to our April 10 and May 8 regular meetings 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.
  • Coming on 4th Saturdays this summer, June – September: display table at Chambersburg Farmers’ Market. Details TBD. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692.

We are planning next season’s activities on April 11. See the calendar event for Zoom information. If you have an idea for a program or a new field trip, please participate in the meeting. All field trip leaders should participate to set the date for your trip.

It’s not too late to sign up for the field trip to Magee Marsh in Ohio, May 15-17. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692

Good birding!

Valerie Barnes, President

February 2023 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Birds, Conservation, Monthly Message, OutreachTagged

Winter is here, but I’m glad we haven’t had much snow to deal with (yet). Not many birds are coming to feeders at my house. Sometimes there’s a Sharp-shinned Hawk hanging around, but I can’t always attribute the paucity of birds to that.

Coming up soon: You can count birds anywhere for the Great Backyard Bird Count! The 26th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 17, through Monday, February 20, 2023. Please visit the official website at birdcount.org for more information. Anyone can count anywhere for as little as 15 minutes, or as long as you wish. Keep separate lists for each location on each day that you bird. Report results via eBird. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an inter-organizational effort between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.

Volunteer 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.
  • We are looking for help at a new Bird Day event being planned by the Franklin County Visitors Bureau for 4 May. Contact Terri Kochert, bobterri81@comcast.net or 717-263-3692.
  • We need 2 new Directors to serve a 3-year term starting in May. Contact Ron George, Eric Martin, or Terri Kochert.
  • Plant trees at the new Furnace Run Park in Southampton Township ~April 14-16. 

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.

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) would be happy to have you as a member. They publish a periodic report about birds seen in the state, sponsor the PA Bird Atlas projects, hold meetings, and conduct field trips. To learn more about PSO, visit pabirds.org. To join, visit this link: Join PSO.

December 2022 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Birds, Monthly Message

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  

November 2022 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Birds, Monthly MessageTagged , ,

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

October 2022 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Birds, Monthly Message, ZoomTagged , ,

Dear Conococheague Auduboners and friends –  

It certainly feels like fall, with cooler days and nights. Some of our fall/winter visitors are checking in, with Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak each making an appearance at my house in the past few weeks.  

This month we are focused on a project with Michaux State Forest. The foresters are working to restore habitat at a few locations where a patch of forest was cleared several years ago. Come listen to PA Department of Forestry’s Mike Wright describe the project at our 7 PM October 10 general meeting at St. Luke Evangelical Church. Then join John and Sue Greer on a couple of field trips to visit the sites and learn how you can help monitor birds there. 

Our 2021-2022 Youth Contests end on October 10. Participants, please submit your bird photos and lists of birds observed to Terri Kochert just before our general meeting starts. 

If you are interested in recording the birds you observe on 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.  

The Big Sit, originated by the New Haven Bird Club, kicks off Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 12 a.m. midnight and closes Sunday, October 9, at 11:59 p.m. Designate a 17-foot circle and observe everything you can from inside that area. Report your results via eBird. Visit www.thebigsit.org to learn more. 

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

The winter finch forecast is available at https://finchnetwork.org/winter-finch-forecast-2022. There’s nothing too exciting forecast, but we should watch for Redpolls, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, and Purple Finch. 

Upcoming activities include: 

  • Oct. 10, Monday   MEETING. 6:45 PM Youth Contest Bird Photos & Lists due.  7:00 PM Bird Monitoring Project in Michaux State Forest,  Mike Wright, Bureau of Forestry. The presenter will come to us from a remote location via Zoom. Arranged by Sue and John Greer. 
  • Oct. 22, Saturday   FIELD TRIP. 8:00 AM “Introduction to Bird Monitoring Project in the Michaux, Part 1.”  Meet at Mont Alto State Park parking lot on Rt 233 (across from pavilion).  Bring binoculars, snack, and sturdy walking shoes.  Expect an easy approx. 3-mile walk.  John Greer, 443-255-8871, jngreer@aol.com. 
  • Oct. 29, Saturday   FIELD TRIP. 8:00 AM “Introduction to Bird Monitoring Project in the Michaux, Part 2.”  Meet at Mont Alto State Park parking lot on Rt 233 (across from pavilion).  Bring binoculars, snack, and sturdy walking shoes.  Expect an easy approx. 4-mile walk.  John Greer, 443-255-8871, jngreer@aol.com. 
  • Nov. 5, Saturday   FIELD TRIP. 8:00 AM for FALL MIGRATION at The Conococheague Institute.  Meet at the Visitor Center, 12995 Bain Rd, Mercersburg.  Bring Binoculars.  Larry and Sharon Williams, 717-655-7414. 

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 fall and see lots of good birds, 

  Valerie Barnes, President 

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