Overview and ActivitiesQuick LookNext Bird Walk / Field Trip: Sunday 23rd February, 8:30 am - Birch Run Reservoir Next Meeting: Monday 17th March, 7pm, Meeting, Chemical-free Cleaning |
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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 (refreshments 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 ActivitiesSunday February 23, Field Trip - Birch Run Reservoir Monday, March 17, Meeting Deona Schmittel - Chemical-Free Cleaning Monday, April 14, Meeting Katie Fallon- Cerulean Warblers Saturday, May 10, Field Trip World Migratory Bird Day - details to be announced Monday, May 19, Meeting Charlie Gomer - Peacocks in the Garden Monday, June 16, Meeting The Bug Man Monday, September 15, Meeting Karen Kaslow - Watersheds 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 only want to join the South Mountain Audubon Society only 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 Park, BiglervilleOn Saturday, 12th October, a group of SMAS members walked round Oakside Park, outside Biglerville. 39 species were observed. The Lincoln and Savannah Sparrows had not been seen at Oakside previously.
Lincoln Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Immature Red-headed Woodpecker Photos by Evan Vaeth and Linette Mansberger Monterey PassOn Sunday, the 20th October, SMAS members visited Monterey Pass. 27 species were observed.
Photo by Linette Mansberger Oakside ParkOn Saturday, 2nd November, SMAS walked around Oakside Park outside Biglerville. 33 species were observed. Duck DriveOn the 7th of December South Mountain Audubon looked for ducks at several sites in Adams county; 45 species were observed (link to eBird report).
Green-winged Teal
Common Goldeneye Photos by Linette Mansberger and Kevin Hall Big Spring WalkOn the 12th January SMAS walked the road along Big Spring run, observing 36 species. |
