Dear Conococheague Auduboners and friends \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s Mike Wright describe the project at our 7 PM October 10 general meeting at St. Luke Evangelical Church<\/a>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are interested in recording the birds you observe on a Christmas Bird Count, please contact Valerie Barnes<\/a> (BarnesVa4@comcast.net or 717-352-4397) for the December 17 Chambersburg area count and\/or Vern Gauthier<\/a> (verngauthier14@gmail.com or 717-385-9526) for the December 14 Buchanan Trail CBC in Franklin\/Fulton Counties. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> to learn more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We continue to look for someone to handle Publicity for our activities. Please contact Valerie Barnes<\/a> to volunteer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The winter finch forecast is available at https:\/\/finchnetwork.org\/winter-finch-forecast-2022<\/a>. There\u2019s nothing too exciting forecast, but we should watch for Redpolls, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, and Purple Finch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Upcoming activities include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n