South Mountain Airs

The Newsletter of the South Mountain Audubon Society

October – December 2013, Volume XXXVIII #4 – The E-mail Edition

UPCOMING SMAS PROGRAMS & PRESENTATIONS

Unless indicated otherwise, all SMAS Programs are held at the Adams County Agricultural Resource Center,
670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA at 7:30 PM. A room number for the SMAS meeting will be posted on
the front lobby entry inner door.

UPCOMING MONTHLY PROGRAMS

Monday October 14th - “A Fledgling Experience – Inside the Nest Box”

Ms. Nancy Putt, York County Coordinator for the Bluebird Society, presents: “A Fledgling Experience” - slide
show / video about bluebirds, and what we can do to promote nesting success for bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds.
Ms. Putt’s interest in bluebirds started 15 years ago when she created a “Bluebird Trail”at Range End Golf
Course, the Audubon Sanctioned Golf Course where she is employed as the horticulturist. This is when she
joined up with the Bluebird Society of PA, serving currently as Secretary (and is a past President).

Monday November 11th - "From Idea to Icon: The Appalachian Trail"
Mr. Larry Luxenberg will cover a brief history of the Appalachian Trail, what it's like to hike the entire
Appalachian Trail and the establishment of the Appalachian Trail Museum at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
Larry Luxenberg thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1980. He is the founder and President of the Appalachian
Trail Museum and the author of "Walking the Appalachian Trail." Larry is also an honorary life member of the
Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association and a life member of the
Keystone Trails Association. He is also a board member of the American Hiking Society and the Earl Shaffer
Foundation.

UPCOMING SMAS FIELD TRIPS

Contact Mike O'Brien, Field Trip Chair, as necessary for more information on all Field Trips, the annual
Christmas Bird Count and the Spring Migration Count: 717.642.6676 Res / maddogobrien@gmail.com E-mail.
Please let the Leader know in advance if you plan to attend any field trip, especially if you plan to go direct.
Trips are subject to weathering out, especially in the colder months, or otherwise being changed. In addition, if
we have only one or two known attendees, we may change, cancel or reschedule a given field trip. We cannot
alert you unless we hear from you.

Wednesday October 9th - Codorus State Park / Lake Marburg
Pennsylvania's 3,490-acre Codorus State Park is in the rolling hills of southern York County about 3 miles
southeast of Hanover, PA. The 1,275-acre Lake Marburg, is centered in the park with 26 miles of shoreline and is
a rest stop for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. There is no entry fee for PA State Parks.
Meet in parking area between Burger King and CVS on US Rte #30 (York Street) near its intersection
with US #15 in the shopping area where Staples and CVS are located - across the street from Walmart.
We will carpool to the extent possible. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, snacks, drinks, lunch per
personal choice and apparel as dictated by the forecasted weather. Meeting time is 8:30 AM with return in midafternoon.

Saturday November 16th - Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
We will travel to Blackwater NWR in Dorchester County, near Cambridge Maryland.
There should be early resident winter birds and late passage migrants including shorebirds, raptors and
waterfowl. The refuge is billed as the largest Bald Eagle gathering spot in the Eastern USA outside of Florida.
Departure time is 6 AM.
The field trip will leave from the trip leaders home at #231 Carroll's Tract Road, a Tee intersection with PA Rte
#116, at the Fairfield Post Office. #231 is about ½ mile down Carroll's Tract Road on the right, the second
driveway on the right after crossing the intersection with Bullfrog Road and Mt. Hope Road; the house sets back
several hundred feet from the driveway entrance. There is no mailbox. A standard green fire sign with 231 on it
is attached to the lower trunk of a small tree where you turn in. Immediately beyond the driveway is a mail box
displaying 75 Sugarloaf Lane for the next house, which also sets well back.

Saturday December 14th - #114 Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) - Gettysburg Areas
All are invited and welcome to join SMAS for the 2013 CBC. This will be the 114th consecutive Christmas Bird
Count and is an example of Citizen Science at its best.
Please note the annual CBC is traditionally in lieu of a December field trip.
Please see the upcoming 4th Quarter Newsletter for complete information and details on this year's CBC.
Mark your calendars now for the #114th Audubon Christmas Bird Count.