FALL 2022 (September–December)
Unless otherwise noted, all field trips are open to the public and do not require registration. We hope to see you in the field!
ROSE VALLEY LAKE (3Sep-Sat-8a): The day will start at the South launch. Group will scope out the water and walk portions of the road for waterfowl and look for migrating warblers and sparrows. Directions: travel Rose Valley Lake Road seven miles north out of Balls Mills. Leaders: BOBBY (bobbybrown1011@gmail.com) and DEB BROWN (psp501@aol.com).
PIZZA and “CHIMNEY SWIFTS” in JERSEY SHORE (4Sep-Sun-6:00p - Dusk): Join birders around a table at Santinos (Main and Allegheny) for a slice of pizza and salad, sharing what we understand about swifts. Then, being refreshed in body and spirit, we will stroll nearby city blocks and witness the phenomenon of “cigars with wings” and, assuming timeliness, witness their descent into a nearby roost spot … a chimney? Email Larry Waltz (LNRWaltz@aol.com) reserve a spot, “pass the hat” meal, reservation deadline 31Aug (Wed). Leader: CLAIR “DOC” THOMPSON. (docpawsitive@gmail.com).
“BUTTERFLYS AND BIRDS” at Lime Bluff Park, Hughesville (10Sep-Sat-2 to 4p): Several years ago, Lycoming Audubon affirmed the action of East Lycoming Recreational Authority when the grasses were allowed to grow for longer periods of time. We will explore this beautiful site where people enjoy a wide range of recreation, and now, a greater flora and fauna diversity. Directions: take rte.405 east from Muncy towards Hughesville, passing Heatherbrooke Estates and May’s Restaurant on the left. Proceed approx. 1.5mi. looking for the blue sign on the left, “Lime Bluff Recreation Center” at Elm Dr. (If you pass McDonalds on the right, you just missed it!). Take Elm Dr. less than a mile to the Center entrance on the left. Look for and follow “Audubon Event” signs to the first parking lot and pavilion on your left where we will gather for a short tutorial on butterflies and birds. Center amenities: wide-easy walk paths, wheelchair accessible, comfort station, and LAS loaner binoculars. Leaders: NANCY HORNBERGER (nahornberger@gmail.com), ERIC HARTSHAW (hartshaw4@gmail.com).
HAWK WATCH at Montgomery Pike Overlook rte.15 (17Sep-Sat-10a): This hawk watch is close to home, inviting and beautiful. It has easy parking, is handicapped accessible, and has a spectacular view of the Susquehanna Valley. These days in September, Broad-winged Hawks are abundant and given favorable weather and a little luck, we may see several of them. Smaller numbers of several other species are usual viewed. Bring your comfortable lawn chair. Directions: Market Street south on Rte. 15 past the overlook to the legal U-turn. Come back to the overlook parking lot on the right. Leaders: AUDUBONERS
DALES RIDGE, Lewisburg (24Sep-Sat-8a): The Ridge is a popular site of our sister Seven Mountains Audubon, and on this occasion, our two birding groups will share this field trip together. There are two well maintained walking paths: the lower one does not lose sight of historic Buffalo Creek with beautifully aged trees (limbs of one healthy sycamore has a horizontal limb out over the creek, it’s diameter is trunk-like); the upper trail gently ascends past cultivated fields, cuts thru dense brush, and powerlines entice the walker to pause for field birds and raptors before descending through a managed forest which then opens up to two overlooks providing miles of viewing. Because both paths begin at the parking lot, participants may choose to enjoy one or both. Directions: rte.15 south from Williamsport, pass Evangelical Hospital to first traffic light, (rte.192). Turn right, west for 1.7mi to Strawbridge Rd. (note sign “Dale’s Ridge”). Turn right and go 1.5mi for event parking. Leaders: DOROTHY HOLLOWAY (hollowayok@gmail.com) and LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com). Link: https://linnconservancy.org/trails/dales-ridge-trail/
SKYLINE DRIVE (1Oct-Sat-8a): 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 west branch forest, marinated or peeking through clouds of early morning fog. Directions: the Skyline Drive is closed but is a 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’. At the top of the mountain, where parking is available off the highway, we will gather for the walk at the public rest stop (no comfort facilities). Leader: MADDI DUNLAP (madwoman951@gmail.com).
WAYS GARDEN 845 WEST FOURTH, WILLIAMSPORT (8Oct-Sat-9-11a): Join us this second Saturday to plant the 2022 Birdy Dozen native plants and set educational signposts. Bring a shovel or watering can to help or, stroll around the pathways, enjoying the October gardens and your LAS friends. Directions: Way's Garden is on the corner of 4th and Maynard Streets. Parking is available mid-Maynard and W. 3 rd Sts. (note LAS signs on east/ Gap Church side). Drive down the alley to the SE corner of the Garden near the pavilion. Coordinator: DOROTHY HOLLOWAY (hollowayok@gmail.com) and Carl Bower (cbower2@pct.edu).
COUNTY CONSERVATION LEARNING TRAIL (15 OCT-Sat-8am): Enjoy a birdwatching walk in the country, but close to town. The one-mile County Conservation Learning Trail begins at the eastern end of the Master Gardener's Sensory Garden. We will scan the farm pastures and fence rows before descending into a wet forested area paralleling a small creek. The trail ascends to a deer exclosure with fields to the sides and an overlook above Loyalsock Creek. The return trip follows the edge of a farm field where Lycoming Audubon has placed bluebird boxes. Parts of the trail may be wet. Enjoy a variety of bird habitats and learn about the Lycoming Audubon Bluebird Project. Directions: from I-180 follow Warrensville Rd approx. 1.5 mi. Turn right on County Farm Rd (at Valley View Nursing Center). Turn left at the barn and follow the road to the front of the County Farm building. Meet at the far end of the parking area. Co- leaders: BRUCE BUCKLE (bcbuckle60@gmail.com) and FRED STINER (F.Stiner@ymail.com).
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WALK, S. Wmspt Side (22Oct-Sat-8am): This is an easy walking event. Meet your leader and other birders at S. Wmspt Recycling Center at the top of dike on the river walk. You will view waterfowl and enjoy species of raptors like Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Red-tailed Hawks. We will check out birdlife that frequent the brush and trees along the path. Directions: go west from Market Street on W. Southern Ave in S. Wmspt. to the 700 block past CVS. Look for “Cross Fit Promise” Co. at Poke Alley, turning right and travel two blocks to recycling center. Leader: JEAN DALTON (jklotz6@gmail.com).
MILL HILL ROAD, Lycoming Township (4Dec-Sun-5p ‘till dark): The Ulmer family has graciously permitted us to view raptors at dusk in their set-aside fields just off the 6900 block of Daugherty’s Run Rd. Target birds: Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, Kestrels, and other seasonal field species. Two Directions: 1. From Williamsport Ford dealership (3600 West Fourth St), North on Daugherty’s Run Road for 6.7 mi. (note: Bottle Run Rd at 3 mi., at 6 mi, Kiess Hill Rd.) continuing right 0.7 mi., on Daugherty’s Run Rd. just pass State Road Church. 2. From old Rte. 15/Lycoming Creek Rd. Cogan Station, Left/West on Rte. 973 for 3.9 mi. At that point look for “Linden” directional sign, then Left on Daugherty’s Run Rd. 1.5 mi. to Mill Hill Rd. Leader: LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com).
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS: (Sats, 17 and 31Dec): Teams are formed, usually two to four persons in a car, covering two Lycoming Co. areas, Williamsport metro and Lycoming County north (Note: because 31Dec is New Year’s eve, participants may be polled for a single alternate Dec date for Lycoming north). Length of day spent by teams is negotiable. Birds and their numbers are counted and then submitted to a national CBC registry (this has been going on for now over a hundred years). Volunteers are needed to ride with key leaders to help (the more eyes, the better). These trips are a terrific way to pick up and learn birding insights from experienced birders. If you are interested contact Coordinator: DAVID BROWN, davidebrownpa@gmail.com or, Assistant Coordinator: BOBBY BROWN (bobbybrown1011@gmail.com).