AAS 2024-2025 Field Trip Schedule

September

Sunday 9/29/24  

CANCELLED - FIELD TRIP TO COVE MOUNTAIN 

Cove Mountain is a Nature Conservancy site located outside of Marysville, PA. It offers varying habitat and some fantastic mountain scenery overlooking the Susquehanna Valley. In past years we have enjoyed a variety of fall warblers and some migrating Broad-winged Hawks on this trip. Pileated Woodpeckers are also a good possibility. Retired biology teacher and former AAS Board member Rich Riter will return to lead this trip for us. 

Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring binoculars, water, and a rain jacket. Be prepared for moderate hilly trails with some manageable rocky terrain. This year’s route may vary from past years. Register with Rich Riter at rriter3@gmail.com or at 717-503-0073. 

October

Saturday 10/5/24 - (Completed)

FIELD TRIP IN FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP NEW!

We will be meeting in Fairview Township in northern York County to search for birds in a wooded mountain area on private property.  The owners report seeing lots of warblers and other birds while walking on trails they have created on their land. The woods are full of oak, tulip, pawpaw, hickory, and other trees.  Some areas can be wet, others are steep and rocky, so wear sturdy shoes.  We will be hosted by Gary and Dianne Misiti, who have invited us to park near their restored brownstone schoolhouse at 788 Fishing Creek Road, New Cumberland, at 8am.  Jady and Bill Conroy will be the AAS leaders. Come join us! You may contact Jady for further information. 717-433-7178  

Saturday 10/12/24  - (Completed)

FIELD TRIP TO SECOND MOUNTAIN HAWK WATCH NEW! 

Second Mountain Hawk Watch is located on a mountain ridge at Ft. Indiantown Gap and sometimes surpasses renowned Hawk Mountain on its daily fall migration counts. Former AAS Board member and veteran hawk watcher Mary Brenner will be the trip leader for this outing. Bring a drink, snack, binoculars, jacket, and a folding chair for this activity. Plan to stay from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  A porta-potty is available on site. Insect repellent is a good idea. Expect to see Sharp-shinned Hawks, Bald Eagles, and Ospreys as well as migrating passerines.  Straggler Broad-winged Hawks and early Golden Eagles are also possibilities as well as several species of falcons. 

Contact Mary Brenner at mbrenner822@comcast.net to register for this trip.

Sunday 10/13/24 - (Completed)

FIELD TRIP TO THE BOWER & WAGGONERS GAP HAWK WATCH

The Bower is a public garden and sculpture park featuring native plants in meadow and woodland habitat in Perry County.  We will bird the property and tour the landscape.  Afterwards, attendees are encouraged to visit nearby Waggoners Gap to observe migrating raptors.  We will meet at The Bower at 8am. Please contact president@appalachianaudubon.org to register.      

Sunday 10/20/24 - (Completed)

BIRDING ON THE GREENBELT

Join us, in partnership with Capital Area Greenbelt Association and Susquehanna Township, for a casual bird walk on the Veteran’s Park Trail section of the Capital Area Greenbelt.  We could potentially still see some migrating warblers and other songbirds. Please meet at the Veteran's Park Pavilion at 8am.   

November

Saturday 11/16/24

BIRDING ON THE GREENBELT

Join us, in partnership with Capital Area Greenbelt Association and Susquehanna Township, for a casual bird walk on the Veteran’s Park Trail section of the Capital Area Greenbelt.  We should see many of our overwintering bird friends.  Please meet at the Veteran's Park Pavilion at 8am.      

Sunday 11/17/24 

FIELD TRIP TO EASTERN NECK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. NEW! 

Eastern Neck NWR is located on the Chesapeake Bay on the eastern shore of Maryland just south of Rock Hall. Rick and Peggy Price will lead this trip. We will plan to carpool from a meeting place in the Harrisburg/Hershey area. Expect to see lots of waterfowl, raptors, and some waders. We will also make an attempt to find some less common sparrows. On a distant past AAS trip we were also very lucky to find a colony of Brown-headed Nuthatches. We will try again, but no promises! 

Be sure to dress appropriately in layers for sun, wind, and precipitation. Bring binoculars, water, packed lunch, insect repellent, sunscreen, and money for dinner on the way home and an entrance fee if you drive and don’t have a current U.S. Duck Stamp or pass. 

To register contact Rick Price at rprice210@comcast.net or 717 657-1950. 

December

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS 

Please see the following dates and leader contacts to participate in the century plus Audubon tradition of Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs.) 

The Harrisburg CBC will be on Saturday December 14, 2024. Contact Annette Mathes at amathes19@verizon.net to register. 

The Buchanan Trail CBC (PABT) will be on Tuesday December 17, 2024. Contact Vern Gauthier at verngauthier14@gmail.com to register. 

The New Bloomfield CBC will be held on Saturday December 21, 2024. Contact Betsy Riter at rriter27@gmail.com to register. 

The Newville CBC (PANV) will be on Saturday December 28, 2024. Contact Vern Gauthier at verngauthier14@gmail.com to register. 

Please note that Christmas Bird Counts are not considered AAS field trips. The CBCs are a long standing Audubon tradition that pre-dates our chapter. They are generally considered full day activities, working in teams, and may even extend from pre-dawn till dusk. Please be sure to ask your leader if you have any questions. 

January

Saturday 1/11/25  

WINTER BIRDING AT WILDWOOD PARK 

Join leaders Rick and Peggy Price for a new year of birding beginning at local Wildwood Park in Dauphin County. We will meet outside of the Olewine Nature Center at 8:00 am to search for year round resident birds and visiting waterfowl  and winter songbirds from the north. At 10:00 am those who wish may stay for  “Birds and Brew” co-hosted by Wildwood Park and AAS, which consists of  watching feeder birds from the comfort of warm chairs with a sampling of hot  coffee or tea. AAS volunteers will be available to assist new birders. 

Contact Rick Price at rprice210@comcast.net to register for the bird walk. 

February

Saturday 2/22/25 

BIRDING AT BOILING SPRINGS 

 Last year Jonathan and Gigi Gere improved our annual walk around Children’s Lake with the addition of a hike through the adjacent Wittlinger Nature Preserve.  We will look for waterfowl around the lake as well as raptors, kinglets, wrens, woodpeckers, gulls, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Spotting trout, mink, and early blooming plants offer other opportunities for the curious naturalist. Contact Jonathan Gere at jonathangere@yahoo.com to register. 

March

Tuesday 3/4/25 

THE ANNUAL SNOW GOOSE SPECTACLE AT MIDDLE CREEK 

This year’s trip to Middle Creek is again scheduled for a weekday to avoid the thousands more visitors that arrive on the weekends during peak viewing season.  AAS member and Wildwood volunteer Glenn Mitzel is scheduled to lead this outing, which promises to offer thousands of Snow Geese as well as Tundra Swans, migrating ducks, White-crowned Sparrows, and an array of raptor possibilities. Dress in layers and bring drinks and snacks as well as your binoculars. Additional spotting scopes are welcome if you’re willing to carry them out to Willow Point.(approximately .5 miles each way on a paved path.) 

We will convene at 1:00 pm in front of the Visitors Center to allow participants the option of staying at dusk to search for Woodcock, N. Harriers, and/or Short eared Owls, the latter depending on current reports. 

Please contact Glenn Mitzel at gljjzel@gmail.com to register in advance for this event.  

Saturday, 3/29/25

HALDEMAN ISLAND

Haldeman Island, part of State Game Lands 290, is an important waterfowl propagation area along the Susquehanna River.  This trip will be led by Scott Bills, who formerly worked at the Game Commission. He will allow us access to the restricted area on the north end of the island and provide some background on the management of the property.  Other than many kinds of waterfowl, we may also see Savannah Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Northern Harrier, and Wilson's Snipe, among others. Last year, we recorded 68 species! Bring a spotting scope if you have one, though Scott will have his available to view birds of interest. Plan to bird from 8-11am and wear shoes that can get wet. Please contact Zach Richard at president@appalachianaudubon.org to register.

April

Saturday 4/12/25 

WILDFLOWER AND NATURE WALK AT PINCHOT STATE PARK. NEW LOCATION! 

Join naturalist Dan Welte as he returns to Governor Gifford Pinchot State Park in York County to lead us to another beautiful wildflower display. Expect to see an  assortment of blooms, as well as budding trees, and whatever critters seem to  pop up on Dan’s excursions, including birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. 

Participants may contact Dan at dcmawelte@comcast.net to register. 

SATURDAY 4/26/25

TRIP TO MT CUBA CENTER 

AAS will join WildOnes SCPA on a trip to this nationally renowned native plant arboretum in Hockessin, DE.  Expect to see formal and informal designs, a trial garden, and a breathtaking explosion of spring blooms - Trilliums, Wood Poppies, and Phacelia abound.  Bring your binoculars along too to view the many migratory songbirds that make use of the landscape. Please contact president@appalachianaudubon.org if you are interested in attending.  If we have at least 10 people indicate interest in this trip by 4/10/25 they can receive a discounted group rate; otherwise, tickets will cost $15 per adult.        

Sunday 4/27/25  

TRIP TO IBBERSON CONSERVATION AREA

Join AAS President Zach Richard on a walk through this lovely woodland on the north side of Peter’s Mountain.  Expect to see a variety of warblers, vireos, thrushes and other migrants.  The trails are well-maintained, but can be rocky in areas.  Some sections of trail have a moderate incline. Contact president@appalachianaudubon.org to register.   

TBD APRIL-JUNE – Local Harrisburg trips in partnership with the City of Harrisburg.  The City is in the process of determining a schedule.   

May

Sunday 5/4/25 

WARBLER WALK AT STATE GAME LAND 230 

Pete Lusardi will lead a walk along the base of Blue Mountain near Carlisle Springs to look for migrating and summer resident warblers and other song birds.  This walk has a history of uncommon birds showing up including Golden-winged Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Summer Tanager, and Bobolinks. Registration not required. Meet at the parking lot on the south side of Rt. 944 at 7:30 AM.  Participants may contact Pete Lusardi at peter.lusardi@ghd.com if needed. 

Saturday 5/10/24 

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY 

AAS member and PA Bird Atlas co-coordinator for Dauphin County, Kevin Shannon, will return to lead this annual bird count at Memorial Lake State Park in Lebanon County. This world-wide migratory count occurs during the peak of spring migration. Expect to see an array of birds at this time including waterfowl, passerines, and raptors. Bring binoculars, a drink, and a rain jacket. Insect repellent is recommended as ticks are a possibility. Additional spotting scopes are welcome for the sector where we scan the lake for water birds. 

Contact Kevin Shannon at kbsathome@comcast.net to register. 

Saturday 5/17/25

STONY CREEK RD

Join AAS President Zach Richard as we explore a powerline cut near Hahn Rd for possible White-eyed Vireo, Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chats, and Blue-winged Warbler.  Afterwards, we will drive to the Stony Valley Rail Trail Trailhead to search for Cerulean and Blackburnian Warblers.  Contact president@appalachianaudubon.org to register. 

May-June

MAY-JUNE 2025 

HARRISBURG FALCON WATCH - Dates to be announced after eggs hatch. 

Volunteers will have the opportunity to observe and help young Peregrine Falcons at the Rachel Carson Building in downtown Harrisburg. As the young fledglings attempt their first flight, the Falcon Watch team will be on the lookout for mishaps or injuries. Contact Sue Hannon at hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com for more information. 

Sunday 6/1/25

A GUIDED TRIP TO THE SERPENTINE BARRENS 

AAS President and geologist Zach Richard will lead another outing to the Serpentine Barrens in southern Chester County. Last year’s trip proved to be a well-balanced mix of geological history, some less common plant life, and a good number of bird species including five Yellow-breasted Chats and an elusive singing Kentucky Warbler. Be prepared to hike on some hilly terrain and bring binoculars, sunscreen, a packed lunch, drink, and a rain jacket. 

Contact Zach at president@appalachianaudubon.org to register

Monday 6/2/25 

BREEDING BIRDS AT RAYMOND B. WINTER STATE PARK NEW! 

Former AAS Board members Rick and Peggy Price will lead a bird walk on their favorite trails at R.B. Winter State Park in Union County. A number of bird species  breed here including Blackburnian, Canada, and Hooded Warblers, as well as Veery, Blue-headed Vireos, Chipping Sparrows, E. Phoebes, and Dark-eyed  Juncos. For some it will be their first chance to actually hear juncos sing since they generally aren’t singing when they visit our feeders in the winter. 

Plan to wear comfortable sturdy shoes even though the trails are marked and  well maintained. Be sure to bring insect repellent, a packed lunch, drinks, and binoculars. We will also stop at the park office to check the hummingbird feeders and look for returning Rose-breasted Grosbeaks coming to the feeders. This trip is planned for a weekday to avoid weekend campers, swimmers, and hikers at this pristine, but popular park. Contact Rick Price at rprice210@comcast.net or 717-657-1950 to register. 

Sunday 6/8/25  

BIRDING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL NEW! 

Veteran AAS member and active volunteer Gary Labelle will lead a hike along the Appalachian Trail looking for breeding birds such as Cerulean Warblers, Yellow throated Vireos, Indigo Buntings, and Scarlet Tanagers. As their names imply, these are among some of the most colorful birds to inhabit Penn’s Woods. This section of the trail on Peter’s Mountain is relatively flat. Be sure to bring binoculars, insect repellent, water, and a rain jacket. 

Contact Gary at labellega@verizon.net for more details. Participants may be asked to meet and carpool from a location near Route 322 to minimize the number of cars to park at the mountain top lot. 

PRIVATE OUTINGS FOR NEW BIRDERS [To be included in every newsletter]

If you are new to birding and would like an individualized field trip with an experienced birder and longtime AAS member, contact Jon Dale at jwdale4@gmail.com to schedule.  Jon will provide instruction, tips and a field experience at central Pennsylvania locales to individuals, families, or very small groups.

NOTE: Additional field trips may be announced at meetings and the monthly newsletter as the year progresses.