Meetings

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 (social time starting at 7 pm). A room number for the SMAS meeting will be posted on the front lobby entry inner door.

Field Trips

FIELD 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 2024

One 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 Activities

Saturday, May 10, Field Trip World Migratory Bird Day - 7:00-7:30 AM gathering time Spangler’s Spring, GNMP

Saturday, May 17, Field Trip 8 am, Plum Run near New Oxford

Monday, May 19, Meeting Charlie Gomer - Peacocks in the Garden

Sunday, May 25, Field Trip 7:30 am, Strawberry Hill, near Fairfield

Saturday, June 14, Field Trip 7 am, Devil's Den and surrounding areas, GNMP

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.

The Society works towards those aims with meetings, birding trips, and conservation activities.

There are 2 Important Bird Areas locally:

• South Mountain
  
• South Adams County Grasslands

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

Tel.: 717-809-3911

Mail: SMAS, P.O. Box 3671, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

Educational Initiatives

South 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.

Big Spring Walk

On the 12th January SMAS walked the road along Big Spring run, observing 36 species.

Nixon Park, York County

On Friday, 28th March, a group of SMAS members visited Nixon Park, York County. 31 species were observed.

Red-winged Blackbird

Passenger Pigeon display

Photos by Linette Mansberger

Hashawha Environmental Center

On Saturday, the 19th April, SMAS members visited Hashawha Environmental Center. 46 species were observed.

Blue-headed Vireo

Northern Parula

Photos by Linette Mansberger and Evan Vaeth

Taneytown Road Area

On Friday, 25th April, a SMAS group walked around the trails in the area of Gettysburg Park HQ. 50 species were observed.

Eastern Kingbird

Catbird

Photos by Linette Mansberger

Oakside Park

On 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

Contact Mike Bertram at the2nomads@gmail.com with any corrections, questions, and/or comments concerning the web site.