Field Trips
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Located in the Dover, Delaware area, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to see a wide variety of birds. The combinations of habitats within the refuge make it an attractive sanctuary for waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, birds of prey, and a nice assortment of songbirds.
Some of the interesting birds that are commonly seen in the area include: Glossy Ibis, American Avocet, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Seaside Sparrow, Clapper, Royal Tern, and many others! Much of the birding will be done from vehicles, with some limited walking of trails to look for songbirds. Port Mahon Road and Little Creek Wildlife area may also be visited if time permits.
The group will meet at 6:00 AM (the drive takes approximately two and a half hours and return by approximately 6:00 PM. Contact trip leader Pete Fox at 583-2639 (please call earlier than 9:00 PM) or pfox@raiderweb.org.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Ralph Kinter Memorial Walk for Gentians and Fall Wildflowers
This popular trip recognizes Ralph’s contributions to the natural history interests of the Harrisburg area. Join AAS to visit the Cornwall area to look for Gentians and other fall flowers at a favorite location of Ralph’s. Contact Dan Welte at 728-0421 for details concerning this popular fall outing.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Beginning Birders
This trip is designed for BEGINNING birders. We will visit areas to acquaint participants with fall migrants and with local areas good for birding. Call Ramsay Koury at 761-1871 for details.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Introduction to Hawk Watching for Novices and Families
Visit Waggoner’s Gap, Appalachian Audubon’s very own hawk watching locale to learn the fine points of this great fall pastime. Children and their parents are encouraged to participate in this special offering. Appalachian’s Board member Paul Zeph will lead this field trip. Contact Paul at 691-0288 for times and directions.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Hawk Watch at Waggoner’s Gap
Another day of late season hawk watching with featured birds such as Golden Eagles and Northern Goshawks. Located along Route 74 north of Carlisle, Waggoner’s is especially good for excellent closeup views of all migrating hawks and some selected waterfowl as they travel south for the winter. Deuane Hoffman will lead this watch. Contact Deuane at 564-7475 or by email at corvuscorax@comcast.net.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Eagles at Conowingo Dam
Join Appalachian Audubon to witness this annual gathering of Bald Eagles along the lower Susquehanna River at the Conowingo Dam in Maryland. Other birds of note are the large concentrations of gulls that usually include some of the more uncommon species. Al Mercik will lead this trip. Contact Al at 657-8548.
Christmas Bird Counts
Appalachian Audubon participates in four of the surveys in this century old tradition of Christmas Bird Counts. Teams of birders are given designated areas to conduct the counts. The CBC’s provide an excellent way to volunteer and spend a pleasant winter day away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Information for each count can be obtained from the contacts listed below.
Harrisburg Christmas Bird Count - December 15th
Contact Deuane Hoffman at 564-7475
New Bloomfield CBC - December 22nd
Contact Ramsay Koury at 761-1871
Curtin CBC - December 27th
Contact Scott Bills at 896-8859
Newville CBC - December 29th
Contact Bill and Linda Frantz at 776-4463
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Northern Jersey Shore for Winter Specialties
Shark River, Manasquan and Barnegat Inlets will be the targets for this field trip. Birds of interest for the trip will be alcids, gulls and of course Harlequins. The trip will be a “travel on your own” to Shark River where the trip will begin. Trip leader will provide essential details. Contact Ed Chubb at 233-4807.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Leader’s Choice
This somewhat unusual format will be determined by what birds are being seen in the general vicinity of Harrisburg but could mean traveling to the Philadelphia area for gulls at dumps or farmland hawking or chasing the rarity of the day. Participants should contact Deuane Hoffman for the latest info’ on this potentially outstanding excursion to the unknown. Phone Deuane at 564-7475 or email him at corvuscorax@comcast.net.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Ned Smith Waterfowl Watch
The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art holds this annual river watch for waterfowl and other birds of interest along the Susquehanna River in Millersburg at the Riverfront Park. Excellent views of various Eastern Flyway waterfowl as well as Bald Eagles can be seen from the park’s vantage point. Contact Ed Chubb for additional information at 233-4807 on this joint field trip with Ned Smith Center members.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Middle Creek Waterfowl Trip
Late winter is the peak time to visit Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. Tens of thousands of Snow Geese and a variety of other waterfowl can be seen. Call Ramsay Koury at 761-1871 for details.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wildwood Lake Sanctuary, Joint Field Trip with Quittapahilla Audubon
Art Schiavo will lead this trip to Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department’s Wildwood Lake Sanctuary to witness the season’s arrival of the Great Egret. Other early season migrants will be sought. This outing offers two choices for the length of the day’s hike around the sanctuary. Check with Art for details of the day’s activities at 520-5711 or 533-1978.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Pinchot State Park Spring Wildflower Walk
The outing will feature early wildflowers of this popular local state park. Dan Welte will lead participants through Pinchot to find what spring offerings are showing. Call Dan at 728-0421 for meeting time and location.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Nescopeck State Park Early Spring Birding
Another one of Pennsylvania’s outstanding state park facilities will be featured in this early birding trip. Highlights to include thrushes and warblers in this Luzerne County (north along I-81). Al Mercik will lead, he can be reached at his home number of 657-8548.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Stony Creek Valley Warbler Walk
Stony Creek Valley is a hotspot for migrating songbirds. This walk is reliable for finding Yellow-breasted Chats and winged warbler species. For details, contact trip leader Tom Smith at 921-2461.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
PA Migration Count Annual Survey
This annual survey provides an excellent opportunity for birding and learning while contributing to a scientific effort. Various leaders scour the Tri-County area in order to count as many species as possible within the day.
Contact County Coordinators for details:
Dauphin County-Jan Getgood 566-9875
Cumberland County-Ramsay Koury 761-1871
Saturday, May 11, 2008
State Gamelands 230 Warbler Walk
This popular walk near Carlisle Springs will be hosted by Pete Lusardi at the peak of the spring migration season. Join Pete and others as they search for wandering warblers, furious flycatchers and tremendous thrushes. This trip has proved very special for good finds! Call Pete at 243-6419 for last minute details prior to the trip.
All Field Trips are free of charge and open to the public. Please contact the trip leader before going on any field trip. For more information on any trip call Ed Chubb at 233-4807.
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