As we emerge from another winter season, it’s time to dust off the binoculars, treat the pants you wear afield with permethrin, and update your phone’s birding apps! We are looking forward to warmer, brighter days, and the joy that is watching and listening for birds! Spring migration is a much anticipated part of the birding calendar and we plan to offer a variety of trips to locations that are old favorites and some less common places as well. Field trip announcements will be made weekly through the LAS Listserve. To be added to this, please email us at lycomingaudubon@gmail.com with listserve in the subject line.
**Loaner binoculars will be available for all LAS trips**
MARCH
WOODCOCK, Old Lycoming Township (March evening an hour before sunset): A spontaneous, impromptu outing: One of our past presidents of LAS, Dave Ferry, has graciously invited birders to gather in his neighborhood with nearby fields and a wetland. Come and listen, experience the spring treat of woodcock mating behavior. These secretive birds may be hard to spot, n]but they are anything but introverted during courtship! LAS listserv will announce date and time a few days prior to our gathering. Directions: At Weis Market (Lycoming Creek Rd.), turn on Mill Lane (.7mi) to top of hill, left on Princeton Ave. (.6mi) to 50 Marvin Circle (on left), look for LAS “event signs”. Email DREW HAUSSMANN for assistance drewhaussmann@gmail.com
APRIL
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WALK, S. Wmspt Side (Saturday April 5th at 9 AM): Our inaugural Spring Field Trip will be at our cherished River walk. We will meet our leader, Jean Dalton and other birders near S. Wmspt Recycling Center at the top of dike on the walk overlooking the dam. We hope to view waterfowl and enjoy species of raptors -Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Red-tailed Hawks. There are frequently many other birds that can be seen and heard along the brushy riverbank. Directions: (GPS Address: 720 Matthews Blvd, South Williamsport, PA) From Market St in South Williamsport, turn west onto W. Southern Avenue (passing the Uni-Mart on the left) Travel 0.5 miles to a right turn onto Poke Alley (just past the “Buttery Biscuit”) and proceed two blocks to the recycling area. Leader: JEAN DALTON (jklotz6@gmail.com)
ROBERT PORTER ALLEN NATURAL AREA (Saturday, April 12th 1:00 PM): Note the time change to the afternoon due to wet weather in morning. Lycoming Audubon Society (LAS), cooperating with other public and private entities, has assisted in preserving 227 acres of grass lands, a beautiful wetland, and the riparian forest of an historic farm, all strategically placed between Bald Eagle Mountain and the Susquehanna River. We will gather for an initial birding walk ~2hrs along the fields and marshes. Immediately following this will be our community volunteer day at the natural area. We will work together to remove invasive plant species and continue efforts to restore native habitat to this vital wildlife area. Directions: (GPS Address: 1722 Sylvan Dell Rd, South Williamsport, PA) from Rte. 15 North (Hastings Street) just before the bridge to Williamsport and Journey Bank take the exit- E. Second Ave and proceed straight at stop sign on Main St. Travel 0.4 miles and curve left onto Sylvan Dell Rd. Proceed to railroad crossing and then travel another 1.6 miles to parking area on the right. Look for Lycoming Audubon signs. Leaders: DREW HAUSSMANN (drewhaussmann@gmail.com) and DOROTHY HOLLOWAY (hvozdade@gmail.com)
ROSE VALLEY LAKE OUTING (Saturday April 19th at 8:00 AM): Meet our esteemed leader Bobby Brown at the south boat launch of the lake. We will be looking for a wide variety of waterfowl. There will be a spotting scope, but if you also have one, please bring it. In addition to the lake species, there are typically an abundance of other species to see and hear. We will work our way along the east shore by driving with several walking stops This is a flat and easy walk-and-ride event. Directions: (GPS Address: Rose Valley Lake Boat Ramp South) From Balls Mills take PA 973 East and make first left onto Rose Valley Rd, follow for 4.5 miles, turn right onto Twp Rd 691 for 2 miles and left into parking area. Leader: BOBBY BROWN (bobbybrown1011@gmail.com)
EARTH DAY over the BRIDGE (Tuesday, April 22nd at 6:00 p.m.): Fifty-five years ago, Earth Day was initiated as a national expression of appreciation for our planet. Directions:Join the Lycoming Audubon Society on the River Walk gathering on the north/Wegman’s side, near the river dam. Ample parking available. Look for Audubon signs. With signs and flags, we’ll walk clockwise, cross Market Street bridge, walk west a short way, stop and chat, then turn around and come back across the bridge. You may want to continue walking, or head home. Thanks for adding your presence in this simple statement of celebrating our beautiful earth.
EARTH DAY AT RIDER PARK (Saturday, April 26th) 8:00 AM. Learn about the Lycoming Audubon Bluebird Trail and look for birds along Francis Kennedy and Meadow Trails. Leader: BRUCE BUCKLE (bcbuckle60@gmail.com) Meet in the parking lot.
- 10AM-1PM Native Plant Sale with LEAF
- 1-3PM Environmentally Inspired Creative Writing with Dr. Phoebe Wagner
Sunday April 27th 1:00-3:00 PM Community tree planting to enhance bird habitat. Leader: SARA STREET, Rider Park Manager, Meet at the Pavilion.
Directions: (GPS Address: 1769 Caleb Creek Rd, Trout Run, PA 17771) Take Warrensville Road Exit from Interstate 180 east of Williamsport, turn at the stoplight (near Montoursville green bridge) onto Warrensville Road. Travel 6 miles to Warrensville, continue straight through town, road changes name to Pleasant Valley Road. In approx 0.7 miles turn right onto Caleb Creek Road. It is another 1.5 paved miles up the mountain to the parking area.
MAY
WILLIAMSPORT WATER AUTHORITY, MOSQUITO VALLEY (Saturday, May 3rd at 8:00 AM.): Join Our leader Dan Brauning and other birders for enjoyable spring walk on forested trails, and brushy habitat as the warbler migration reaches its height! This location has been a prime spot for Hooded and Blackburnian warblers, as well as hosting a variety of other species. Directions: (GPS Address: 1600 Mosquito Valley Rd, Duboistown, PA) Take Valley St. south from PA 654 in Duboistown for a 0.6 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: DAN BRAUNING
OHL / MCELHATTAN RESERVOIR (Saturday, May 10th at 9:00 AM): This habitat offers woodland, fields and lake front, giving an opportunity to see a variety of species. Join leaders Wayne Laubscher and Amos Hershberger, as we explore this beautiful part of Southern Clinton County. Waterfowl, warblers and raptors are all hoped to be found. Directions: (GPS Address: 784 N Mill St. Loganton, PA) We will meet at the Valero gas station at I-80 exit 185 (PA Route 477) and then carpool / travel to the reservoir, where parking can be limited. Leader: WAYNE LAUBSCHER (wnlaubscher@comcast.net)
GLACIER POOLS PRESERVE (Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 AM): We will venture to the Eastern portion of Lycoming county and walk the woods and fields of this unique 270 acre preserve. Woodpeckers, and other forest species as well as migrating warblers should be found, the hiking is easy to moderate. Directions: (GPS Address: 757 Pine Tree Rd, Hughesville, PA). From Hughesville, travel North on US 220 to Picture Rocks. Turn left onto PA RT 864 West and proceed 2.8 miles. Turn Right onto Pine Tree Road and in 0.8 miles parking is on the right. Leader: TED LOY (tloy624@gmail.com)
SKYLINE DRIVE (Saturday, May 24th at 8:00 AM): Skyline Drive is closed to vehicular traffic, but the paved road is quite walkable, gently ascending the slope of Bald Eagle Mountain. We expect to see and hear resident birds of a typical mixed PA forest, including late spring warblers. Towards the mountain top, tree species change, and the vistas of the west branch valley are a treat. Directions: Parking area /rest stop off Route 15 SOUTH, 3 miles from Beiter’s Furniture in South Williamsport. **Note** There is no access from Route 15 North, use the jug handle 1 mile past Scenic Overlook to backtrack. Leader: MADDI DUNLAP (madwoman951@gmail.com).
Saturday May 31st To Be Announced or Make up day for weather
SUGAR VALLEY for Purple Martins (Saturday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m.): Meet at the Pine Creek Rail Trail Parking Area in Jersey Shore to carpool to an Amish farm, joining this family which has had unusual success in having Martins return each to their four ‘condominiums.’ (12 individual nest spaces in each!). Leader: MIKE KURIGA (michaelkuriga@comcast.net)