SEPTEMBER
ROSE VALLEY LAKE (2 Sep-Sat-8a): Starting at the south boat launch, the group will scope the lake for herons, shorebirds, and waterfowl, and will also walk portions of the road to look for migrant songbirds. Directions: travel to Rose Valley Lake Road seven miles north out of Balls Mills. Leaders: BOBBY (bobbybrown1011@gmail.com) and DEB BROWN (psp501@aol.com).
(A POP-UP) “CHIMNEY SWIFTS” (dusk, early weeks of September) could be downtown Williamsport, Lewisburg, Jersey Shore or even Picture Rocks. Though PA-Birds, PA Ornithology Society’s ListServ has reported early departures, and even an outright dearth of CHSWs, several LAS birders are watching the skies and chimneys for us and will report via “Pop-Up” or “Impromptu” what we might observe. Keep in touch with LAS ListServ.
“BUTTERFLYS AND BIRDS” at Robert Allen Porter Natural Area (9 Sep-Sat-2 to 4p): Lycoming Audubon Socie- ty (LAS), cooperating with other public and private entities, has assisted in preserving 227 acres of grasslands, a beautiful wetland, and the riparian forest of an historic farm, all strategically placed between Bald Eagle mountain and the Susquehanna. This site, known by many as “Sylvan Dell”, is just east of Little League Stadium. As resources, time and effort come together, it will become a beautiful natural area for the public, close to the people-center of Lycoming County. 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. Leaders: NANCY HORNBERGER (nahornberger@gmail.com) and LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com)
HAWK WATCH at Montgomery Pike Overlook rte.15 (16 Sep-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 usually 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. Join us.
SKYLINE DRIVE (23 Sep-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).
(A POP-UP) “FALL MIGRATION” (30 Sep-Sat): “hot spot” field trip, time and place to-be-determined. LEADER DAN BRAUNING.
OCTOBER
“ANNUAL WALK IN PENN’S WOODS” (1 Oct-Sun-2to4p): gathering at Rider Park’s main parking lot, this initiative of Penn State’s forestry departments, supported by birding groups across Pennsylvania, as well as our Northcentral PA Conservancy, is an opportunity for collaborative learning about our forests and the interdependency of our natural world. We will also discuss the benefits of forests to your health. Directions: at Warrensvllle, north on Pleasant Valley Rd. one mile to Caleb’s Creek Road (on right), taking it all the way to its end, the Rider Park entrance. LEADER: SARA STREET, Park Manager (570-321-1500, SaraS@fcfpartnership.org)
(A POP-UP or IMPROMPTU) (7 Oct-Sat-TBD am): (check LAS ListServ)
WAYS GARDEN 845 WEST FOURTH, WILLIAMSPORT (7 Oct-Sat-1-3p): Join us this first Saturday afternoon to plant the 2023 Birdy Dozen native plants and review our educational signposts. Bring a shovel or watering can to help, or just stroll and chat enjoying the October gardens with LAS friends. Directions: Way's Garden is on the corner of 4th and Maynard Streets. Parking is available at mid-Maynard and W. 3rd 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 (14 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 (21 Oct-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).
(A POP-UP or IMPROMPTU) (28 Oct-Sat-TBDam): (check LAS ListServ)
NOVEMBER
(A POP-UP or IMPROMPTU) (4 Nov-Sat-TBDam): (check LAS ListServ)
(A POP-UP or IMPROMPTU) (11 Nov-Sat-TBDam): (check LAS ListServ)
(A POP-UP) “RAPTORS” (18 Nov-Sat): possible carpooling field trip to the fields of Turbotville PA, time and rendezvous spot to-be-determined (check LAS ListServ). LEADER WAYNE LAUBSCHER.
DECEMBER
MILL HILL ROAD “Owls/Harriers” 6900 block of Daugherty’s Run Rd., Lycoming Township, (3Dec-Sun-5p ‘till dark): The Ulmer family has graciously permitted us to view raptors at dusk. Target birds: Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, Kestrels, and other seasonal field species like Eastern Meadowlarks. 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: (Sat’s, 16 & 30Dec): Teams are formed, usually two to four people in a car, covering two Lycoming Co. areas, Williamsport metro and Lycoming County north. Length of day spent by teams is negotiable. The birds and their numbers are counted and then submitted to a national CBC registry (this has been going on for now for over a hundred years). Volunteers are needed to ride with key leaders to help (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).