Our days are getting shorter, and while the temperatures still remind us that it is summer, the cooler days of Autumn are sure to be here in no time! Our Fall Field Trips will resume on most Saturdays beginning the weekend after Labor Day running until mid November. We look forward to Fall migration and anticipate soaring raptors at our hawk watches, and the return of winter birds and waterfowl. 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**
SEPTEMBER
SKYLINE DRIVE (Saturday, Sept 6 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 sylvan birds typical of a mixed PA forest. Fall warblers, migrating hawks, and perennial residents of the woods. We will walk to the vistas that offer a glimpse of the beautiful Susquehanna valley, before returning to the parking area. 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)
HAWK WATCH at Montgomery Pike Overlook Rt.15 (Saturday Sept 13th at 10am): 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. September is a prime time to view kettles of Broad-winged Hawks and given favorable weather and good fortune, we may be lucky to see some. Smaller numbers of several other species are usually viewed. Bring a comfortable lawn chair. Directions: Market Street south on Rte. 15 past the overlook to the legal U-turn. Come back on Rt 15 north to the overlook parking lot on the right. Leaders: DON POTE, DAVID ROTHROCK, LARRY WALTZ
ROSE VALLEY LAKE OUTING (Saturday Sept 20th at 8:00 AM): We will meet our leader Bobby Brown at the south boat launch of the lake. There we will survey the waters of the lake for waterfowl; a spotting scope will be available. In addition to the lake species, there are typically an abundance of other species to see and hear at this favorite hotspot. We will work our way along the lake’s east shore, 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)
CANFIELD ISLAND (Saturday, Sept 27th at 5:30 PM): This will be an evening birdwalk at a local hotspot that offers the chance to see and hear a wide variety of species. This will be a leisurely, and flat walk from the parking area, out to the fields and riverfront of the island. The mixed habitat of this location means that one never knows what you might find! Directions: (GPS Address: 2870 Greevey Rd, Montoursville, PA 17754) From Interstate 180/US Rt 220 take exit 23 ”Warrensville Rd” (Exit 23B if heading East) Turn at Old Montoursville Rd (near Paulhamus Litho) and drive 0.8 miles crossing two sets of railroad tracks. Turn left into the parking area of Riverfront Park. Leader DEB BROWN (psp501@aol.com)
OCTOBER
ROBERT PORTER ALLEN NATURAL AREA (Saturday, Oct 4th 8:00 AM): Located between Bald Eagle Mountain and the Susquehanna River this emerging natural area, continues to develop into a unique and significant natural gem. Lycoming Audubon Society is proud to partner with a variety of organizations focused on preserving these nearly 230 acres of mixed meadows and wetlands in the heart of Lycoming County. We will walk this gently rolling landscape and search for a variety of bird species as we also learn about the vision and ongoing work efforts for this special area. We will gather at the Oak Entrance of the Southside Recreation Area Directions: (GPS Address: 721 E Mountain Ave South Williamsport, PA) From US 15 in South Williamsport borough, turn onto East Central Ave. Take this 0.7 miles to the “T” and make a left onto E Mountain Ave. Proceed .25 miles to the end and turn left into the “Oak Entrance" parking area. Leader: DAN BRAUNING
WILLIAMSPORT WATER AUTHORITY, MOSQUITO VALLEY (Saturday, Oct 11th at 8:00 AM.): Join leader Bruce Buckle and birders of all experience levels for an enjoyable Autumn walk on forested trails, and along brushy habitat as we look and listen for fall species. This is a mostly flat and easy walk. We will meet in the parking area at the end of Mosquito Valley Road. 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: BRUCE BUCKLE (bcbuckle60@gmail.com)
LIME BLUFF RECREATION AREA (Saturday Oct 18th, 8:30AM) At Lycoming Audubon’s suggestion, the East Lycoming Recreation Authority decided to leave large areas of Lime Bluff un-mowed to provide habitat for birds. In addition to fields that attract raptors like Red-tail Hawks and American Kestrels, there is plenty of edge habitat favored by a variety of songbirds. This is an easy walk along gravel and mowed paths. Directions: (GPS Address: 461 Elm Drive, Hughesville, PA) From Rt 405 in Hughesville going south, turn right onto Elm Drive, after 1⁄2 mile turn left into Lime Bluff Recreation Area. Drive to parking area. Leader: TED LOY (tloy624@gmail.com)
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WALK, S. Wmspt Side (Saturday Oct 25th at 9 AM): We will again sojourn to our loved river walk this fall. Meeting our leader, Jean Dalton and other birders near S. Wmspt Recycling Center at the top of dike 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)
NOVEMBER
RIDER PARK (Saturday, Nov 1st 8:00 -10AM) Hike with Rider Park Manager, Sara Street, and members of Lycoming Audubon Society, as we look and listen for a variety of species of birds in the woods and meadows of the Allegheny Ridge. The walk follows moderate grades, on mostly grassy trails. We will meet at the yellow gate near the main parking area. 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. Leader: SARA STREET (SaraS@fcfpartnership.org)
OHL / McELHATTEN RESERVOIR (Saturday, Nov 8th 9AM): Our final Saturday trip of the season will be in southern Clinton County. We will walk along the edge of this 100 acre lake and search for winter species possibly including finches, raptors, migrating water fowl and perhaps even shore birds. Wearing blaze orange this time of year is always wise as a precaution. Join our leaders Wayne Laubscher and Amos Hershberger for this relatively flat walk along the water and woods. Directions: We will travel to meet our leader Wayne, at the Valero gas station that is located at the interchange of PA 477 and Interstate 80 (this is I-80 exit 185.) Carpooling will be available from a location near Williamsport, please watch the website or listserve for information as the date nears.
HAWK WATCH (To Be Announced) We hope to offer a late season hawk watching opportunity in November or December, watching for Golden and Bald Eagles and other late season migrants. The location and time are dependent on weather and winds.
DECEMBER
MILL HILL ROAD “Owls/Harriers” (TBA Sunday early to mid-December 14 at 4:00pm until dark) Target birds: Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, Kestrels, and other seasonal field species like Eastern Meadowlarks. Two Directions: (6900 block of Daugherty’s Run Rd., Lycoming Township) #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)