Conococheague Audubon Society

PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222

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June 2021 from the President

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

Hello Fellow Nature Lovers,

As I write this letter many of us are celebrating a holiday surrounded by family, food and fun.  I hope you all took the time this chilly weekend to remember those brave Americans who “gave it all” that we might enjoy the freedoms we have today.  My heart goes out to those of you who lost a Grandfather, Uncle, Dad, brother, or Mother, sister, Aunt, etc. protecting our freedoms.  Freedom does not come without cost.   May we always remember their sacrifice and remain eternally grateful to them.

On a lighter note, May is now behind us.  Many of us saw some terrific birds this past month.  I believe all would recognize the fact that though we may have seen many different species, there seem to be fewer birds.  We have expressed many times before the reasons for our seeing fewer birds. The main one is loss of habitat.  We need to keep our beloved felines inside, as they are natural predators.  Windows kill thousands of birds each year.  The ramifications of climate change are diminishing the world-bird populations.  Other ways to help the birds:  plant more native gardens, use less pesticides, reduce your dependence on plastic, and report your bird sightings to ebird.org.  

Among the Spring migrant warbler species sighted in our locale were the Pine, Palm, Black and White, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, Kentucky, Chestnut-sided, Cape May, Bay-breasted, Canada, Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Mourning, and Cerulean Warblers.  Also sighted were Louisiana Waterthrush, American Redstarts, and Yellow-breasted Chats. That’s quite a list! In Texas, Bob and I saw a MacGillivrays’s, Nashville, and Yellow-throated warblers.  There may have been other warblers seen in our area, but those are the ones I am aware of.  

Our May Field Trips were quite successful, Donna Hocker reported data for two recent field trips: In Horse Valley, nine participants saw 71 species (164 species are the overall trip total); and in Path Valley, 15 participants in nine cars saw 88 species (145 species for that trip). Four new species seen were Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Rusty Blackbirds and Wild Turkey.

Josh Donaldson reported a total of 37 species seen on the Friday, May 7 trip to Larry Lehman’s pond and field. When he and Dave Ebbitt returned on Saturday, they saw warblers – among them Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided and Cape May warblers, as well as Redstarts.

During the May 22 field trip Bobolinks were sighted along the Burkett Road. They also saw the Whip-poor-wills and the allusive Barn Owl, plus many other species.  

Of course, the beloved Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Wood Thrush, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles have returned and are nesting.  Of course, our chatty House Wrens are delighting us with their happy little song.  

Here are the events for this June.

  • Any time you feel like doing some weeding in the Norlo Garden, it would be greatly appreciated.  Just let Terri Kochert know how many hours you put into weeding at ConAudubon@outlook.com  
  • June 5, Beginning Birders Workshop CANCELED
  • June 12, Saturday. FIELD TRIP 7:00 AM South Mountain/Caledonia/Michaux IBA for SPRING MIGRANTS.  Leave from second parking lot beyond Visitor’s Center in Caledonia State Park.  Bring scopes, binoculars, and CBs.  Contact Eric and Rhetta Martin, 717-597-8675. 
  • June 18-21, Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation.  Please support our Blue Mountain Avian Seekers team:  Bob Keener, Jefferson Shank, Dan Keener and son Sammy.  Do so at https://www.breedingbirdblitz.org/teams1 I see that there are 15 registered teams.  One team has $685 pledged.  Our team has $211 pledged.  All proceeds go to three PA Conservancies:  Western PA, Hawk Mountain, and Manada Conservancies contributing to bird habitat improvements. The goal is to raise $5,000 to be divided equally among the three conservancies. Currently they have reached 77% of their goal.  Won’t you contribute something today?
  • June 19, Saturday. FIELD TRIP 7:30 AM Walk on Chambersburg section of Cumberland Valley Rail Trail.  Meet at Big Lots, 184 Southgate Mall, Chambersburg, in Washington Street parking lot near the rail-trail. Bring binoculars and field guide.  Contact Debby Hook, 717-372-0228

CAS is also pleased to announce that this coming 2021-2022 season we have some exciting new programs AND some new Field Trips.  We are resurrecting a trip to Cape May this September.  Mark your calendars now for this three-day outing on Wednesday, Sept. 22-Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.  Call Sue Greer for the hotel information, as you will have to make your own reservations.  It’s not too early to reserve your spot on this outing.  

Sept. 22-24, Wed.-Fri.  FIELD TRIP: Trip to Cape May, NJ, for FALL MIGRANTS: WARBLERS, RAPTORS, and SEABIRDS. Bring scopes and binoculars.  For information, call Sue Greer at 443-255-9559 or email her at sgreer412@gmail.com.  Sign-up deadline is Sept. 15.

Keep your eyes open and on the look-out for birds in your backyard.  Let me know what you find!

Keep looking up!  Happy birding!

Terri Kochert

May 2021 from the President

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

Dear Fellow Nature Lovers,

Because our events start immediately on Saturday, May 1, 2021, I decided to send out my monthly letter a little earlier than usual. That will give you the opportunity to contact the trip leaders in advance of the event.  

This is the exciting time of the year when we get to see many migrants passing through. Keep me apprised as to what you see this spring, please. Here are a few migrants/birds already seen. We Kocherts had a Ruby-throated Hummingbird visit our nectar feeder on April 23, 2021. There have been sightings of a Baltimore Oriole along Creekside Trail, Menno Haven, by Bill Oyler and Ruby-throats at Heisey Road Orchard by Bob Keener. Bob also has seen Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, and Black-and-White Warblers at Heisey Road. Yellow-rumped, Palm, and Pine Warblers have also been spotted. There was a Barred Owl family camped out at Falling Spring Church parking lot.  There was a Scott’s Oriole (western bird) in Kirkwood, PA starting in January 2021. There’s been a pair of Trumpeter Swans on Burnt Mill Rd. pond, seen by Bob Koontz, Bill Oyler and Bob Kiley. Jefferson Shank had a Grasshopper Sparrow on their farm and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers at Heisey Road Orchard.

Here is a list of upcoming CAS activities:

Since this is spring gardening time, I thought I should again include the link to National Audubon’s Native Plants information. That way you can attract birds and butterflies to your own garden. All you have to do is to click on the link, put in your zip code and up pops a list of native trees, shrubs, plants and flowers.

Also, for anyone interested, there will be a Zoom session, Thursday, May 13, 2021 on planting a Bird-Friendly Design, presented by Patterson Park Audubon Center for Wildlife Gardening Workshops. “This virtual session explores how our gardens can benefit birds and butterflies, including recommended plant species and garden management for Mid-Atlantic gardens. No matter how small your space, you can grow habitat for birds (even in containers)! There is a limit to the number of participants per session, so Patterson Park asks you to register only if you plan to attend.”

Many of us are heart-broken that our favorite birding festival, Biggest Bird Week Festival, at Magee Marsh, OH is canceled due to Covid-19. CAS had a planned field trip to attend May 3-5, 2021. It is open to residential Ohioans via a lottery system only. If you would like to read about the devastating economic effects of Covid-19 in Clinton, OH area, click on the following link: https://www.audubon.org/news/canceled-birding-festivals-deal-host-towns-major-economic-blow 

In addition, Cornell Lab of Ornithology wants you to be aware of the Global Big Day and World Migratory Bird Day, May 8.  Please go birding, keep track of where you are and what you see, and report your findings in eBird.

I hope you all have an enjoyable Spring! Enjoy the fresh air, the beautiful flowers, and the phenomenal birds!

Terri Kochert

April 2021 from the President

By Valerie BarnesPosted on Posted in Monthly Message, Zoom

Dear Fellow nature lovers, 

Spring is definitely here!  We now have light till after 7:30 PM.  Crocuses and forsythias are in bloom too.  My daffodils and hyacinth are in bloom.  My tulips are pushing through the ground.  Some trees are budding, getting ready to push through the first leaves of the season. The birds are chasing after each other in earnest, searching to mate and produce a brood of chicks.  I believe each of us is ready for this season of rebirth of the earth and of the soul.  

Things are already in swing too at CAS.  We are now close to having our 2021-2022 budget set.  We’re looking forward to our remaining two season’s meetings and especially to the new meetings this next September.  We’re looking forward to an exciting new season with new topics and introducing some new field trips too.  (We’re hoping to be able to present our nature films to you too!) 

Again, all our scheduled nature films for this 2020-2021 season have been canceled due to CASD 2020-2021 Covid -19 rental restrictions.  We were to have one on April 8, but alas, perhaps next season… 

Here is our April schedule and early May events. 

  • April 12, 2021, Monday, general meeting at 7 PM.  This will again be a Zoom only meeting.  See the link below.  The topic is: Open Forum: Field Guide and App Comparison, moderated by Val Barnes.  Included during this meeting we will conduct our annual business meeting and elections. 

In order to do this in a proper and timely fashion, please see the ballot.  Please respond ASAP as to your approval of our two candidates, John and Sue Greer, to serve as our new three-year term directors.  Fill out your ballot today and return it ASAP.  We need your approval.  We thank and honor Conway Bushey and Marguerite Fries for their three years of service as directors.   

Topic: CAS April 12 Business & Field Guides & Apps Meeting

Time: Apr 12, 2021 06:55 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Join Zoom Meeting 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7211203928?pwd=RXNwMjZpQVNvSHJGRld3cWZFQjJiZz09

Meeting ID: 721 120 3928 

Passcode: cardinal20 

  • April 17, 2021, Saturday at 9:30 AM.   Anyone who would like to work in the native garden at Norlo Park, bring your garden tools, and gloves.  Any questions: please call Josh Donaldson, 717-264-6920. 
  • May 1, Saturday at 6:30 AM. Horse Valley for SPRING MIGRANTS.  Meet at North Point Center, US 11 north of Chambersburg.  Bring scopes, binoculars, CB’s and lunch.  Valerie Barnes, 717-352-4397; or Donna Hocker, 717-401-0604. 
  • May 1, Saturday at 9:30 AM.  Workday at Norlo Park native garden. Bring garden tools and gloves.  Josh Donaldson, 717-264-6920. 
  • May 6, Thursday at 6:30 AM. Path Valley for SPRING MIGRANTS. Leave from Keeners home, 5707 Heisey Road.  Bring scopes, binoculars, CB’s and lunch.  Bob Keener, 717-532-9723 or 717-658-8765. 
  • May 7, Friday at 6 PM. Meet at Lehman property for SPRING MIGRANTS.  Meet at 750 Tallow Hill Road, Chambersburg, PA, to walk around a pond, meadows, and woods.  Larry Lehman, 717-263-7203. 

I want to include two more items of interest.  First, the Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology (PSO) is conducting a Breeding Bird Blitz contest (B4C), with competing teams, vying for contributions towards three important conservancies:  Hawk Mountain, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Manada Conservancy.  I am proud to announce that CAS has a competing team!  The name of the team is Blue Mountain Avian Seekers.  The team members are Bob Keener, Dan Keener and son, Sammy (14), and Jefferson Shank (15).  So, if you would like to contribute towards their team (ultimately towards the work of the three named conservancies), please contact Donate/Teams | Breedingbirdblitz and donate on behalf of Blue Mountain Avian Seekers.  I think this could be a fun thing to do!  Plus, the conservancies and birds are the winners! 

Secondly, our Conservation chair, Jim Hardy, has read an interesting article that he requested that I pass on to you.  Therefore, please find the Penn State article from Feb. 18, 2021 concerning research done on the effects of the noise of gas pipeline compressors on nesting songbirds.  I think you will enjoy it. 

On Monday, March 29, Scott Weidensaul was interviewed on WITF.  Listen to this fascinating interview. 

Also, for your viewing pleasure I found a short (6:39 minutes) video produced by Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 2012.  It’s called Birding Warblers.  This should whet your appetite for the coming spring warbler migration.  They show a lot of the colorful warblers and you’ll hear many of their songs/calls.   Birding Warblers – YouTube 

I wish you all a Happy Easter and a productive birding time this spring! 

Terri Kochert 

UPDATED March 2021 from the President

By casbirdsPosted on Posted in Birds, Monthly Message, Uncategorized

Hello fellow nature lovers,

Today is a “ducky” day in two different ways.  First, we are getting drenched with rain.  I believe nearly all the snow will be gone soon. We also will be seeing some warmer temperatures this week to come.  It appears that spring is on its way!

Secondly, as the Brits use the word “ducky,” they mean that whatever they’re referring to is wonderful. Thus, I have some “ducky news” to share with you.  I now have a competent, capable, vibrant Vice President.  Her name is Jessica Ferguson.  She’s very handy with the computer, knowing where to find information. She’s full of ideas and helpful too. She is a budding photographer and an intense neophyte birder, desiring to learn everything she can about birds.  She and her husband have four children and they’ve been in the area for fifteen years. Working for Waste Connections, Scotland, PA, Jessica plans to take college classes this fall, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science through American Public University in West Virginia.  I am so thrilled to have her as my vice president!  Welcome, Jessica!

There are several things to bring to your attention concerning near future CAS events.

Don’t forget to sign up if interested in this Saturday’s March 6, 2021 auto tour to Middle Creek WMA, Lancaster County to see Snow Geese and other waterfowl.  Contact Eric and Rhetta Martin at 717-597-8675.  Meet at the Park & Ride, Scotland, Exit 20, I-81 northbound at 6:30 AM.  Bring scopes, binoculars, CBs, and lunch.   

  • March 8, 2021, Monday, at 7 PM a Zoom meeting: Homeland Security: Native Trees Are a Bird’s Refuge with Scott Willard. Please follow the following Zoom instructions. We will not be meeting in person. 
  • To participate in our Zoom presentation, you need to download “Zoom” onto your computer, tablet, or cell phone. Once you have it downloaded, save this email and/or flag it until Mar. 8, 2021.  I will also send out a Zoom reminder with the Zoom link on Sunday, March 7, making it more easily accessible.  On Monday, March 8, at about 6:50 PM, turn on your computer, open the email, press the link, and you will be invited in by our tech guru, Val Barnes closer to 7 PM.  You may choose to be connected via “video” where we will see your face, or you can connect via “audio only”.  If you choose audio, you/we will see your name, but not your face.  You will be able to see and hear the presentation without being seen.  Once you have been invited, I ask you to kindly “mute” yourself until the end when John will entertain questions.  At that time, you will need to “unmute” yourself before speaking.  Too many unmuted voices at the same time create echoes and sound distortion.  So, please, mute yourselves until you have a question to ask.  I thank you in advance. For your information, there will be NO interruption this time. Here is our Zoom link: 

Conococheague Audubon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Conococheague Audubon’s Zoom Meeting

Time: Mar 8, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7211203928?pwd=RXNwMjZpQVNvSHJGRld3cWZFQjJiZz09

Meeting ID: 721 120 3928

Passcode: cardinal20  

  • March 9, 2021 Tuesday.  Join us for our annual field trip to see the Woodcocks at Heisey Orchard Road.  Meet at the Park & Ride, Scotland, Exit 20, I-81 northbound at this new new time: 6:00 PM. Bring flashlights and binoculars.  Notify Bob Kochert 717-263-3692.
  • Remember that we will be holding our annual business meeting and elections on Monday, April 12 at 7 PM. Prepare to vote for two new directors nominated to serve a three-year term: John and Sure Greer. You may vote during the meeting or in advance via email by sending a message to our email account.
  • For your viewing pleasure, check out the following link for live webcams of Bald Eagles and other birds.

Hoping to see some of you on upcoming field trips,

  Terri

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