2023-2024 Field Trips

Sunday May 5, 2024

WARBLER WALK AT STATE GAME LAND 230

Pete Lusardi will lead a walk along the base of Blue Mountain near Carlisle Springs to look for migrating and summer resident warblers and other songbirds. This trip has a history of uncommon birds showing up including Golden-winged Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Canada Warbler, Summer Tanager, and Bobolink. Participants will meet at the second parking lot ( on the other side of the road from where we used to meet) at 7:30 AM. Contact Pete Lusardi at 717 243-6419 or pjlusardi@aol.com to register.

Saturday May 11, 2024

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY

Experienced birder Kevin Shannon of Appalachian Audubon will lead a team at Memorial Lake State Park to actively count as many birds as possible for World Migratory Bird Day. In 2021 we got really lucky and counted an American Bittern in our total of 56 species. In 2022 we had 59 species. While weather patterns reduced our totals for 2023, we’re hopeful that this year we will exceed our past totals. Come out and help us in this effort.

Contact Kevin Shannon at kbsathome@comcast.net or (717-395-2368) to register. Note: Be sure to wear long pants and bring insect repellent to discourage ticks on this trip.

We will be meeting at the Middle Lot at 7:30 a.m.

Sunday May 19, 2024

FIELD TRIP TO SERPENTINE BARRENS IN CHESTER COUNTY

AAS President Zach Richard will lead a walk around the Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens - a unique landscape that harbors a variety of shrubland and woodland birds as well as rare plants suited to the nutrient-poor soil. We can expect to see Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and possibly Blue Grosbeak on the barrens and will venture along the wood edge to see Blackpoll and Pine Warblers, among others. Some plants that we may find in bloom include Small’s Ragwort (Packera anonyma), Rock Sandwort (Sabulina michauxii), Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata), and Azure Bluet (Houstonia caerulea). Those interested in geology are encouraged to attend!

Contact Zach Richard at zachrichard021@gmail.com to register. Bring sun protection and insect repellant.

May-June 2024

HARRISBURG FALCON WATCH - Dates to be announced after eggs hatch.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to observe and help young Peregrine Falcons at the Rachel Carson Building in downtown Harrisburg. As the young fledglings attempt their first flight, the Harrisburg Falcon Watch team will be on the lookout for mishaps or injuries.

For more information, contact Sue Hannon at hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com

Saturday June 1, 2024

BREEDING BIRDS AT VINCENT DiFILIPPO NATURE PRESERVE

Join Appalachian Audubon’s Jonathan and Gigi Gere for a walk to find breeding birds at this multi-habitat natural area which used to be a golf course. Both songbirds and raptors have bred here in the past and waterfowl and waders are commonly seen at the small ponds and along the creek.

Contact Jonathan and Gigi Gere to register at jonathangere@yahoo.com