Wilson's Snipe by Bob Keener
- June 2026 from the President
Well, we’re past the peak of spring migration, yet there are still some stragglers and long-distance travelers passing through. The rainy weather created some opportunities to see some cool shorebirds including, Dunlin, Hudsonian Whimbrel (maybe Eurasian as well!), White-Rumped Sandpiper, and Pectoral Sandpiper. Songbird-wise, I was hearing Blackpoll Warblers last week on their way to the upper reaches of Maine and northern(!) Canada. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Blackpolls that nest in Western Canada actually have extra-long wings to help them along their epic migration route. While Blackpoll Warblers are still heading north, other birds are raising young. Already, I’ve seen several fledglings: Downy Woodpecker, Fish Crow, Northern Cardinal, Killdeer, American Robin, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, and Northern Mockingbird. Time’s a-wasting, Blackpolls!
Get Involved with CAS
Your support for Conococheague Audubon makes everything we do possible. We are currently seeking volunteers to pitch in with the following.
Technical Know-how: Urgent Our website could probably use some security upgrades, but our current web maintainers lack the knowledge to decide. Please contact Val Barnes (717-352-4397) ASAP to share your expertise.
Vice President: Currently the position acts as an assistant to the President and will not be required to become President at the end of their term. There is plenty of flexibility here, so if you’re interested in possibly maybe volunteering, we can discuss how you would like to contribute to the leadership team of CAS. Contact me at writinron@comcast.com
Trip Leaders: We are looking for some new field trip leaders for 2027: May Horse Valley field trip, the May Letort Spring Garden field trip (previous leader John Greer) and the June Chambersburg Rail Trail field trip (previous leader Debby Hook). If you’d like more information about what’s involved please contact the previous trip leaders. If you want to lead one of these or if you have an idea for a new trip that you would like to lead, email conaudubon@outlook.com
Programs for Monthly Meetings: We’re working on next season’s activities list and are in need of ideas for the programs for our monthly meetings. We’re currently in need of programs for Sep 14, Dec 14, and Feb 8. We always look to the members of the board to arrange these, but everyone is invited to share their suggestions. We welcome topics related to birds, nature, and conservation. Email conaudubon@outlook.com
Financial Support: Thanks to all who have made a donation. If you would like to donate, please send your check to Conococheague Audubon Society, PO Box 20, Fayetteville, PA 17222.
Everything: Email conaudubon@outlook.com if you would like to get involved in any of our activities: monitoring Bluebird trails, maintaining birdfeeders at Caledonia State Park, caring for the native plant garden at Norlo Park, providing outreach to the public, clearing trash for our Adopt a Highway project, counting birds for the annual Christmas bird count (feeder watching or in the field), presenting free nature films to the public, leading bird trips, contributing photos and articles to our newsletter Naturally, offering our yearly Beginning Birder Workshop . . . Whew, we do a lot! Thanks, volunteers!
Next Meetings
Our next regular meeting is not until Monday Sep. 14. There will be a joint meeting of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors on July 21, 2026, at St. Lukes. Committee chairs are also invited.
During the upcoming seasons of flu, COVID-19, and RSV, we encourage you to be safe. We urge you to check on an event’s status via the Calendar on this site before you attend.
Conococheague Audubon Society is pleased to offer student and teacher support for educational activities in keeping with our mission: promoting the conservation of wildlife and the environment by appreciating, studying, and observing nature. Please see the Scholarship and Teacher Grant Support page for information.
Calendar of Events
Feel free to experiment with different views of the calendar – daily, weekly, monthly, or single event (agenda).
You can filter which kind of events appear by using the Category pull-down. To switch back to viewing all event categories, use the small green x in the Category control to clear the filter. You may also download the entire Activities List (pdf file) for the current season.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Saturday Bird Walks 8:00 am First Saturday Bird Walks Oct 4 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am  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; see Buttonwood Nature Center, 717-762-0373 for schedule. | ||||||
| Gen Mtg, Oct: Youth Contests; 5 Years of Birding in our Mobile Home 6:45 pm Gen Mtg, Oct: Youth Contests; 5 Years of Birding in our Mobile Home Oct 13 @ 6:45 pm – 8:15 pm  Topic 1: Youth Contest Bird Photos & Lists due. Submit to Terri Kochert. Topic 2: 5 Years of Birding in our Mobile Home Presented by: Members Jeff and Sue Schmaltz Available in-person or via Zoom[...] | Third Saturday Bird Walks 8:00 am Third Saturday Bird Walks Oct 18 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am 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; see Buttonwood Nature Center, 717-762-0373 for schedule. | |||||
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ABOUT US
Conococheague Audubon Society
The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.
Conococheague Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society based in Fayetteville in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The group started in 1961 as the Conococheague Naturalists. Through programs, field trips, nature films, displays, and a newsletter, we promote conservation of wildlife and the natural environment with a focus on appreciating, studying, and observing birds.
We are a family-friendly organization. The membership includes over 400 people residing primarily in Franklin, Cumberland, and Fulton Counties.
Conococheague Audubon meets monthly September through May on the second Monday at 7:00 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2695 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17202. At a pot luck supper in January, held at 6:00 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church, members share stories, photographs, fellowship, and home-made food.
Please make a difference in our local community by being good stewards of the earth in your daily lives. Share our passion for conservation, birding, and the natural world by coming to our meetings and films, going on field trips, helping with projects, and participating in bird counts. Our experienced birders love to teach beginners. Read Audubon Magazine and our Naturally newsletter to stay abreast of national, international, and local environmental issues. You and your family can enjoy educational opportunities at Audubon’s Nature Centers and Sanctuaries across the country. Take peaceful walks and learn the wonders of nature.
We welcome new members! Anyone who joins the National Audubon Society from our area automatically becomes a member of our chapter. Similarly, anyone who joins the local chapter can also join the national organization. To join, please go online to the National Audubon site or click here to go the Join or Renew page or contact our current membership chair, Lisa Coombs.
In 2016 the CAS leaders updated the chapter’s 10-year plan to help guide our future actions and strengthen the organization. To volunteer, please contact our current president, Ron George. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please mail your check payable to CAS.
What we do
Conococheague Audubon Society meets the second Monday each month, September through May, at 7 PM at St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
Program topics focus on birds, wildlife and conservation. All are welcome.
Nature films, produced by PBS are shown each year at Chambersburg Area Middle School South.
CAS leads many free field trips throughout the year.
Projects
Norlo Park Native Plants Garden
Scholarship and Teacher Grant Support
