Overview and ActivitiesQuick LookNext Field Trip: 8 am Sunday September 21st, Michaux State Forest Next Meeting: Monday 11th August, Annual Picnic, Oaksude Park, Biglerville |
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MeetingsUnless indicated otherwise, all SMAS Programs are held at the Adams County Agricultural Resource Center, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA at 7:30 pm (social time starting at 7 pm). A room number for the SMAS meeting will be posted on the front lobby entry inner door. Field TripsFIELD TRIPS - Field trips will be planned on an annual basis and a tentative list will be sent in late December to those on our email list. Details for day trips will be announced in the monthly email blasts, and details for overnight trips will be announced a few months in advance. Also, information can be found on this website. Each monthly email will list a contact person and a meeting place and time for the upcoming events. If you are not on our email list, you can contact Mike Bertram at the2nomads@gmail.com or call 717-809-3911 (please leave a voicemail) if you have questions or need other details. Field trip cancellations will be announced by email as soon as possible and also on this website. Local Bird Sightings in 2024One new species was seen in Adams County in 2024, an American White Pelican. Other rare species observed included: Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Ross's Goose, Mississippi Kite, White-rumped Sandpiper, Log-billed Dowitcher. Species that were expected, but not found, were Bank Swallow and Dickcissel. In the grasslands IBA (Important Bird Area), as well as many of the sightings mentioned under the Adams County list, there was a sighting of a rare Barn Owl in the IBA. In the South Mountain IBA was the first sighting of a Trumpter Swan. Also there were sightings of probable escapees, Northern Bobwhite and Chukar. Meetings and other ActivitiesMeeting: Monday, August 11, Annual Picnic, Oakside Park, Biglerville Meeting: Monday, September 15, Karen Kaslow - Watersheds Bird Walk: 7:30 am Sunday, September 21, Michaux State Forest Bird Walk: Saturday, September 27, Slyder Farm Bird Walk: 8 am Saturday, October 25, Oakside Park, Biglerville - meet at 8 am at the parking area to the left of the entrance. The Park is on route 394 a mile east of Biglerville.
The South Mountain Audubon Society aims are to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity focusing on Adams County, PA. Click here to join National Audubon and the South Mountain Audubon Society. Please select U17 as the Chapter code from the drop down menu on the form. If you want to join the South Mountain Audubon Society but not National Audubon then sign up at the next event you attend. The annual membership is $15. The Society can be contacted in the following ways: email: the2nomads@gmail.com Educational InitiativesSouth Mountain Audubon sponsors educational efforts on natural history in the local schools. This year it financed the purchase of books by the Bermudian Middle School.
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Oakside ParkOn the 3rd of May South Mountain Audubon visited Oakside Park, outside Biglerville; 56 species were observed (link to eBird report). These sightings bring the total species observed at Oakside Park over the years to 102.
male Scarlet Tanager
female Scarlet Tanager Photos by Linette Mansberger State Game Lands #230On the 4th May SMAS explored the State Gamelands #230, near Carlisle, observing 73 species.
Indigo Bunting
Magnolia Warbler Photos by Evan Vaeth Spangler's Spring, Gettysburg NMPOn Saturday, 10th May, International Migratory Bird Day, SMAS members took their annual walk around the Spangler's Spring area in Gettysburg NMP. 86 species were observed, which must be a record.
Blackburnian Warbler
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher on nest Photos by Jamie Noble State Game Lands #249 NorthOn Saturday, the 19th April, SMAS members visited State Game Lands #249 North - near Heidlersburg. 48 species were observed.
Photos by Linette Mansberger Devil's Den AreaOn Friday, 13th June, a SMAS group walked around the trails in the Devil's Den area of Gettysburg Park. 43 species were observed.
Indigo Bunting
Turkey Vulture Photos by Kevin Hall |
