American Tree Sparrow at Wildwood
2026-27 Field Trips
PRIVATE OUTINGS FOR NEW BIRDERS
Long time AAS member Jon Dale is available for individual and family local outings for the purpose of teaching birding fundamentals to those new to this informative and entertaining pass time. Contact Jon at jwdale4@comcast.net to find out more about this opportunity.
ADDITIONAL FIELD TRIPS WILL BE ANNOUNCED DURING THE YEAR AS LEADERS ARRANGE THEIR SCHEDULES.
September 2026
Saturday 9/26/26
FIELD TRIP TO SECOND MOUNTAIN HAWK WATCH
Second Mountain Hawk Watch is located on a mountain ridge at Ft. Indiantown Gap and sometimes surpasses renowned Hawk Mountain on its daily fall migration counts. Former AAS Board member and veteran hawk watcher Mary Brenner will be the trip leader for this outing. Bring a snack, drink, binoculars, jacket, and a folding chair for this activity. Plan to stay from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. A porta-potty is available on site. Insect repellent is a good idea. Expect to see Bald Eagles and Ospreys as well as good numbers of Broad-winged Hawks. Falcons and passerines are also a good possibility.
Contact Mary Brenner at mbrenner822@comcast.net to register for this trip.
Saturday 9/26/26
MOONWATCH & NIGHT FLIGHT: A NOCTURNAL BIRDING ADVENTURE
Join AAS and Dark Sky PA for a unique nocturnal birding experience. In addition to the possible nocturnal bird sighting, we will watch migratory songbirds pass over the moon. Telescopes will be available for viewing. Learn more about the importance of naturally dark night skies for our migratory birds.
Meet at State Game Land 230 on September 25, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the archery range lot just east of the intersection of Enola Rd and Sheaffer Rd. Contact zachrichard021@gmail.com with any questions. Rain date will be Sunday, September 26th at the same time and location.
October 2026
Saturday 10/3/26
TROUT RUN NATURALIST PROGRAM NEW!
Drop by our AAS sanctuary, Trout Run Preserve, between 8 am and 11 am for an introduction to our preserve or a short walk to see lots of late blooms, butterflies and migrating birds. The address is 2200-2256 Stumpstown Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. A certified naturalist will be on the site to answer your questions and discuss the natural history of the area. This program is free of charge and offered by the Appalachian Audubon Society (AAS.) The naturalist will be on site weather permitting. The event may be canceled on the day due to inclement weather. Invite your friends and neighbors and join us to enjoy our beautiful sanctuary. For more information, please contact the leader, Stan LeQuire, at stan.lequire@gmail.com
NOVEMBER 2026
Sunday 11/29/26
FIELD TRIP TO LEWES, DE
Since dipping on the Brown-headed Nuthatches at Eastern Neck NWR in MD, we are off on another quest for them in the nation’s first state, DE. Cape Henlopen State Park boasts a year round population of them. The park encompasses no less than fourteen ebird hotspots in its location at the confluence of the Atlantic and the Delaware Bay. In addition we will search for other specialities here including Red-breasted Nuthatches and a myriad of waterfowl, including all three scoters, Brant, N. Gannets, and a possible Common Eider in some years. Those who need to get back home for Monday may leave after our time in the state park.
For those who can stay, overnight accommodations are available at the Home 2 Suites by Hilton located in Lewes. ( 1-302-200-7373.) Options for Monday include birding Prime Hook NWR and possibly a boat trip on the Bay for a fee.
For more information and to register for the trip, contact Rick Price at richardprice210@yahoo.com
DECEMBER 2026
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
December
Please see the following dates and compiler contacts to participate in the century plus Audubon tradition of Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs.)
The Harrisburg CBC will be on Saturday 12/19/26. Contact Zach Richard at
The New Bloomfield CBC will be on 12/26/26. Contact Tiffany Willow at
The Newville CBC will be on Saturday 01/02/27. Contact Vern Gauthier at
2027
January
Saturday 01/09/27
WINTER BIRDING AT WILDWOOD PARK
Join leaders Rick and Peggy Price for a new year of birding beginning at local Wildwood Park in Dauphin County. We will meet at the entrance of the Olewine Nature Center at 8:00 AM to search for year round resident birds and visiting waterfowl and winter songbirds from the north. At 10:00 AM those who wish may stay for “Birds and Brew” co- hosted by Wildwood Park and AAS, which consists of watching feeder birds from the comfort of warm chairs with a sampling of hot coffee or tea. AAS volunteers will be available to assist new birders.
Contact Rick Price at richardprice210@yahoo.com to register for the walk.
February
Sunday 02/21/27
BIRDING AT BOILING SPRINGS
A few years ago, Jonathan and Gigi Gere improved our annual walk around Children’s Lake with the addition of a hike through the Wittlinger Nature Preserve. We will look for waterfowl around the lake as well as raptors, kinglets, wrens, woodpeckers, gulls, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Spotting trout, mink, and early blooming plants offer other opportunities for the curious naturalist. Contact Jonathan Gere at jonathangere@yahoo.com to register.
March
Tuesday 03/02/27
THE ANNUAL SNOW GOOSE SPECTACLE AT MIDDLE CREEK
This year’s trip to Middle Creek will again fall on a week day to avoid the weekend crowds that converge on this venue at this time of the year. Expect to see good numbers of Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, Bald Eagles, a variety of of ducks, and other birds including possible N. Harriers, Turkeys, Ring-necked Pheasants, and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Leader and details to be determined later.
April
Saturday 04/10/27
MYSTERY WILDFLOWER AND NATURE WALK WITH DAN WELTE
Join naturalist Dan Welte as he leads another adventure for AAS. Time and location to be determined closer to the trip. Save the date. Participants will register with Dan at dcmawelte@comcast.net after the details are announced.
May
Saturday 05/08/27
WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
AAS member and PA Bird Atlas co-coordinator for Dauphin County, Kevin Shannon, will return to lead this annual bird count at Memorial Lake State Park in Lebanon County. This world-wide migratory count occurs during the peak of spring migration. Expect to see an array of birds at this time including waterfowl, passerines, and raptors. Bring binoculars, a drink, and a rain jacket. Insect repellent is recommended as ticks are a possibility. Additional spotting scopes are welcome for the sector where we scan the lake for water birds.
Contact Kevin Shannon at kbsathome@comcast.net to register.
Sunday 05/09/27
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 breeding warblers and other song birds. This walk has a history of uncommon birds showing up including Golden-winged Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Summer Tanager, and Bobolinks. Registration is not required. Meet at the parking lot on the south side of Rt. 944 at 7:30 AM. Participants may contact Pete Lusardi at peter.lusardi@ghd.com if needed.
Sunday 05/16/27
CONODOGUINET YOUTH PARK WALK
Conodoguinet Youth Park has a nice mix of creekside and wooded hillside habitat within a narrow 3/8 mile long park. A loop around both sides of the park is an easy 3/4 mile walk on level turf and gravel paths. Last year Zach Richard reported 35 species during the walk, plus seven more while packing up. It was a good mix of water and woodland birds including Great Egret, Osprey, Bald Eagle, N. Flicker, Great-crested Flycatcher, E. Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Experienced AAS birders are encouraged to help out on this joint AAS/ Hampden Township Bird Town PA bird walk. All are welcome.
The walk will last from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Contact Jonathan Gere at jonathangere@yahoo.com if you have additional questions.
MAY THROUGH JUNE
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 Falcon Watch team will be on the lookout for mishaps or injuries. Contact Sue Hannon at hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com for more information.