Field Trips

Good Friends ... well, we are off and running (well walking), after our two year hiatus. A word of thanks to faithful leaders who have volunteered to meet us on the five April trips beginning the second Saturday (9Apr). Note that we are going to walk across the Market Street bridge in support of Earth Day (22Apr), and we will have our first walk at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area (30Apr). So invite a friend or two. Looking forward to seeing you ... Larry.

 

April

 

ROSE VALLEY LAKE SOJOURN (9Apr-Sat-8a): Meet LAS birders at the south boat launch of the lake. We will be looking for a wide variety of waterfowl. If you have a spotting scope, bring it. We will also take time to ID land birds. The group will slowly drive counterclockwise around the lake using lay-bys for additional viewing and finishing at the north boat launch. This is an easy-walk-and-ride event. Directions: take Rose Valley Rd. north out of Balls Mills for six miles. Leader: Leader: LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com).

 

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WALK (South Wmspt Side) (16Apr-Sat-8a): This is an easy walking event. Meet your leader and other birders at S. Wmspt Recycling Center. Directions: cross Market St. bridge into South Williamsport, right (west) on W. Southern Ave. to the 700 block past CVS. Look for “Cross Fit Promise” Co. at Poke Alley, turning right and travel two blocks to recycling center. There, join LAS on top of dike on the river walk. Don’t be surprised if we see Ring-billed Gulls on the river and other migrating guests. Songbirds frequent the brush and trees along the walking path and river. Leaders: JEAN DALTON (570-777-0713c).

 

EARTH DAY ON THE RIVER WALK (22Apr-Fri-6p): Fifty-two years ago, Earth Day was initiated as a national expression of appreciation for our planet. Directions: Join the Lycoming Audubon Society as we gather on the north/Wegman’s side near the river dam, where there is parking. Look for LAS signs. We’ll walk clockwise, cross Market Street bridge, walk west a short way, turn around and come back across the bridge again. You may want to continue walking, linger and chat, or head home. Thanks for adding your presence in a simple statement for our beautiful earth. Leaders: LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com), DOROTHY HOLLOWAY (hollowayok@gmail.com).

 

EARTH DAY continues AT RIDER PARK (23Apr-Sat-8a to noon) with a focus on “Invest in Our Planet” with Lycoming Audubon with three offerings:

1.    Celebrate Earth Day with an hour-long bird walk led by FRED STINER and BRUCE BUCKLE (bcbuckle60@gmail.com) along the LAS bluebird trail.  Meet in the parking lot at 8a.  

2.    Plan your own native garden with Rider Park Manager and native plant specialist, Sara Street.  Bring a sketch or Google Earth printout of your property.  Meet at the Pavilion at 9a.  

3.    Volunteer to help plant native tree species at Rider Park.  Meet at the Pavilion at 10 am.

Please register for one or all three activities by clicking here, or contact DOROTHY HOLLOWAY at hollowayok@gmail.com or (814-688-1567). Directions: at Warrensvllle, Warrensville Rd. becomes Pleasant Valley Rd. Continue north (straight ahead) one mile to Caleb Run Road (on right), taking it all the way to its end, the Rider Park entrance.

 

ROBERT PORTER ALLEN NATURAL AREA (30Apr-Sat-8a) Lycoming Audubon, cooperating with other public and private entities, has assisted in preserving 227 acres of grasslands, a beautiful wetland and the riparian forests of an historic farm, strategically placed between Bald Eagle mountain and the Susquehanna. This site, known by many as “Sylvan Dell” area is just east of Little League Stadium. As resources, time and effort come together, it will become a beautiful natural area for the public, especially lovers of the outdoors. It will be a gem, so close to the people-center of Lycoming County. Join DAN BRAUNING, Lycoming Audubon member and President of the PA Society of Ornithology, will lead the field trip. Others involved in RPANA’s emergence will speak to history, to organizational dreams and to the place of Lycoming Audubon. Directions: from Rte. 15 (south Market Street) follow E. Central Ave to its intersection with E. Mountain Ave. (Little League stadium). Turn left and follow E. Mountain Ave to the parking area at the end of the road. Look for Lycoming Audubon signs. Information: LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com).

MAY

CANCELED - WILLIAMSPORT WATER AUTHORITY, MOSQUITO VALLEY (7May-Sat-8a): Forested trails with plenty of brushy habitat as warbler migration starts to ramp up. This location is a prime spot for Hooded and Blackburnian Warblers, as well as hosting a variety of other warbler species. Directions: Take Valley St. south from Duboistown for a half mile then turn left onto Mosquito Valley Road, taking it all the way to the end, meeting birders at the Water Authority’s visitor parking lot. Leader: ERIC HARTSHAW (570-433-4715). 

WAYS GARDEN 845 WEST FOURTH, WILLIAMSPORT (14May-Sat-9-11a): Join us this second Saturday to plant he 2022 Birdy Dozen native plants and also set our educational signposts. Bring a shovel or watering can to help or, stroll around the pathways, enjoying the gardens in May and your LAS friends. Directions: Way's Garden is on the corner of 4th and Maynard Streets. Parking is available mid-Maynard and W. 3rd Sts. (note LAS signs on east/ Gap Church side). Drive down the alley to the SE corner of the park near the pavilion. Coordinator: DOROTHY HOLLOWAY (hollowayok@gmail.com).

SKYLINE DRIVE (21May-Sat-8a): Directions: The Skyline Drive is the closed but quite walkable paved road that gently ascends the NE slope of Bald Eagle Mountain off Rte. 15 just east of South Williamsport, commonly known as ‘Montgomery Pike’. Parking is available off the highway at top in the public rest stop (no comfort facilities). We expect to see and hear resident birds, as well as fall warblers, in a typical mixed PA forest. Towards the mountain top, tree species change, and vistas of the west branch valley are a treat. Leader: MADDI DUNLAP (madwoman951@gmail.com).

BIRDING AND WILDFLOWER BEGINNER’S WALK CANFIELD ISLAND (22May-Sun-2p): Take a leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll around Canfield Island to appreciate the spring migration, landscape and the Susquehanna River. We will stop and chat not only about birds, but wildflowers and some local history. Directions: Travel east on I-180/USRt.220 taking exit #23 (“Warrensville”), turning right at traffic light, taking road behind Motel 8 to the Riverfront Park pavilion on the left. Leader: LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com).

JUNE

BIRDING WITH THE BROWNS (4Jun-Sat-TBD): (watch for LAS ListServ announcement) Leaders: DEB BROWN (PSP501@aol.com / 570-772-8794) and BOBBY BROWN (bobbybrown1011@gmail.com).