Field Trips

MARCH

MILL HILL ROAD, Lycoming Township (Date to be determined, an hour before sunset): The Ulmer family has graciously permitted us to view raptors at dusk in their set-aside fields just off the 6900 block of Daugherty’s Run Rd. Target birds: Short-eared Owl, Northern Harrier, Kestrel, and other seasonal field species.
Two Directions: From Williamsport Ford dealership (3600 West Fourth St), North on Daugherty’s Run Road for 6.7 mi. (note: Bottle Run Rd at 3 mi., at 6 mi, Kiess Hill Rd.) continuing right 0.7 mi., on Daugherty’s Run Rd. just pass State Road Church.
From old Rte. 15/Lycoming Creek Rd. Cogan Station, Left/West on Rte. 973 for 3.9 mi. At that point look for “Linden” directional sign, then left on Daugherty’s Run Rd. 1.5 mi. to Mill Hill Rd. Leader: LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com).

WOODCOCK, Old Lycoming Township (Mar/Apr, an hour before sunset): A spontaneous, impromptu outing: Dave Ferry, a past president of LAS, has graciously invited birders to gather in his neighborhood with nearby fields and a wetland. Come and listen, experience the spring treat of woodcock mating behavior. You won’t believe your ears! LAS listserv will announce date and time a few days prior to our gathering. So, pick up a mate and join us. Directions: At Weis Market (Lycoming Creek Rd.), west on Mill Lane (.7mi) to top of hill, left on Princeton Ave. (.6mi) to 50 Marvin Circle (on left), look for LAS “event signs”. Email/phone LARRY WALTZ for assistance LNRWaltz@aol.com, (570-323-2385h, 447-8894c).

APRIL

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WALK, S. Wmspt Side (Saturday April 6th at 10 a.m.): This is an easy walking event. Meet your leader and other birders at S. Wmspt Recycling Center at the top of dike on the river walk. You will view waterfowl and enjoy species of raptors like Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Red-tailed Hawks. We will check out birdlife that frequent the brush and trees along the path. Directions: Go west from Market Street on W. Southern Ave in S. Wmspt. to the 700 block, past CVS. Look for “Cross Fit Promise” Co. at Poke Alley, turning right and travel two blocks to recycling center. Leader: JEAN DALTON (jklotz6@gmail.com)

ROSE VALLEY LAKE SOJOURN (Saturday April 13th at 8:00 a.m.): Meet LAS birders at the south boat launch of the lake. We will be looking for a wide variety of waterfowl. If you have a spotting scope, bring it. We will also take time to ID land birds. The group will slowly drive counterclockwise around the lake using lay byes for additional viewing, and then, finishing at the north boat launch. This is an easy-walk-and-ride event. Directions: take Rose Valley Rd. north out of Balls Mills for six miles. Leader: BOBBY BROWN (bobbybrown1011@gmail.com)

COUNTY CONSERVATION LEARNING TRAIL (Saturday, April 20th at 9:00 a.m.): This walk is primarily for “beginner” birders.* Enjoy the one-mile County Conservation Learning Trail that begins at the eastern end of the Master Gardener's Sensory Garden. Practice identifying birds by their distinctive field marks, shape, size, behavior, and vocalization. Connect bird species with their preferred habitats. The trail features farm pastures and fence rows before descending into a wet forested area paralleling a small creek, then ascends to a deer enclosure with fields to the sides and an overlook above Loyalsock Creek. The return trip follows the edge of a farm field where Lycoming Audubon has placed Bluebird boxes. Parts of the trail may be wet. This walk is a follow up to a free April 13, 1-3pm, course for “beginner” birders which will be held at the JV Brown Library. For more information and to register for this course, email Bonalyn Mosteller, Audubon education coordinator, at BonalynMost@verizon.net by April 8. Directions: From I-180 follow Warrensville Rd approx. 1.5 mi. Turn right on County Farm Rd (at Valley View Nursing Center). Turn left at the barn and follow the road to the front of the County Farm building. Meet at the far end of the parking area. Leader: DAN BRAUNING

EARTH DAY AT RIDER PARK (Saturday, April 20th)
8am. Learn about the Lycoming Audubon Bluebird Trail and look for birds along Francis Kennedy and Meadow Trails. Leader: BRUCE BUCKLE (bcbuckle60@gmail.com) Meet in the parking lot.

10am - 1pm. Tree planting to enhance bird habitat. Leader: SARA STREET, Rider Park Manager, Meet at the Pavilion.

Please contact Amy Poust, AmyP@fcfpartnership.org, (570-321-1500) to register for these activities.

Directions: At Warrensville, north on Pleasant Valley Road, one mile to Caleb Creek Road (on right), taking it all the way to its end, the Rider Park entrance. (RiderPark.org)

EARTH DAY over the BRIDGE (Monday, April 22nd at 6:00 p.m.): Fifty-four years ago, Earth Day was initiated as a national expression of appreciation for our planet. Directions:Join the Lycoming Audubon Society on the River Walk gathering on the north/Wegman’s side, near the river dam. Ample parking available. Look for Audubon signs. With signs and flags, we’ll walk clockwise, cross Market Street bridge, walk west a short way, stop and chat, then turn around and come back across the bridge. You may want to continue walking, or head home. Thanks for adding your presence in this simple statement of celebrating our beautiful earth. Leaders: DOROTHY HOLLOWAY(hollowayok@gmail.com), LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com).

ROBERT PORTER ALLEN NATURAL AREA (Saturday, April 27th at 8:00 a.m.): Lycoming Audubon Society (LAS), cooperating with other public and private entities, has assisted in preserving 227 acres of grasslands, a beautiful wetland, and the riparian forest of an historic farm, all strategically placed between Bald Eagle Mountain and the Susquehanna. This site, known by many as “Sylvan Dell”, is just east of Little League Stadium. As resources, time and effort come together, it will become a beautiful natural area for the public, close to the people-center of Lycoming County. We will be given a development update, bird the easy trail and learn this time about RPANA’s geology with Ted Loy, Conservation Chairman. Directions: from Rte. 15 (south Market Street) follow E. Central Ave to its intersection with E. Mountain Ave. (Little League stadium). Turn left and follow E. Mountain Ave to the parking area at the end of the road. Look for Lycoming Audubon signs. Leader: TED LOY (meltel79@hotmail.com)

WAYS GARDEN 845 West Fourth St., Wmspt (Saturday, April 27th 1:00-3:00 p.m.): Join us this third Saturday to plant the 2023 Birdy Dozen native plants and set our educational signposts. Bring a shovel or watering can to help or, stroll around the pathways, enjoying the gardens in early spring chatting with friends. Directions: Way's Garden is on the corner of 4th and Maynard Streets. Parking is available at mid-Maynard and W. 3rd Sts. (note LAS signs on east/ Gap Church side). Drive down the alley to the SE corner of the park near the pavilion. Coordinators: DOROTHY HOLLOWAY (hollowayok@gmail.com) and CARL BOWER of Penn College, a Ways Garden Committee supervisor.

MAY

WILLIAMSPORT WATER AUTHORITY, MOSQUITO VALLEY (Saturday, May 4th at 8:00 a.m.): Come, enjoy forested trails, brushy habitat as the warbler migration at its heights. This location is a prime spot for Hooded and Blackburnian warblers, as well as hosting a variety of other species. Directions: Take Valley St. south from Duboistown for a half mile then turn left onto Mosquito Valley Road, taking it all the way to the end, meeting birders at the Water Authority’s visitor parking lot. Leader: Melissa Holland

Rider Park Bluebird Trail (Tuesdays, beginning May 14th at 8:00 a.m.) Bird the Lycoming Audubon Bluebird Trail while monitoring nest boxes. Learn about the Bluebirds, their calls, nests, habitat, and how they raise their young. Please email Bruce Buckle beforehand to confirm as our monitoring schedule is subject to change. Leader: BRUCE BUCKLE (Bcbuckle60@gmail.com) SKYLINE DRIVE (Saturday, May 18th at 9:00 a.m.): The Skyline Drive is closed to vehicular traffic, but the paved road is quite walkable, gently ascending the NE slope of Bald Eagle Mountain. We expect to see and hear resident birds of a typical mixed PA forest, including late spring warblers. Towards the mountain top, tree species change, and the vistas of the west branch valley are a treat. Directions: Take Rte. 15 out of South `Williamsport, pass Little League and climb ‘Montgomery Pike’ to top of the mountain and park at the rest stop (no comfort facilities). Leader: MADDI DUNLAP (madwoman951@gmail.com).

State Game Land 252 Birding Tour (Saturday, May 25th at 1:00 p.m.): Join Mercy Melo, Game Commission Educator, to tour State Game Land 252 – a birder’s paradise of habitat diversity! At this game land, habitat crews manage for grasslands, forests, and early successional habitat while also boasting a great variety of wetlands, ponds and creeks giving birders a great opportunity to see quite a wide variety of birds right here in Lycoming County! Meet at the parking lot just west of the Game Commission Crew Building (41.136313, -76.959345) for a 2-4 mile walk through diverse habitats in the pursuit of great bird diversity! DIRECTIONS: Take Rte. 15 out of South Williamsport to Elimsport Rd (Rt 54). Right onto Elimsport Road for 5.2 miles to Alvira Road. 2 miles to the Game Commission Crew Building. Leader: MERCY MELO. (mmelo@pa.gov).

JUNE

BIRDING for FAMILIES at Canfield Island (Saturday, June 1st at 9:00 a.m.): Kids, moms and dads, grandparents, will take a leisurely easy Saturday morning stroll around Canfield Island where we will enjoy birds settling in for the season, appreciate the diversified landscape, walk through a quiet woodland, and of course view the Susquehanna River for waterfowl. We will stop and chat not only about birds, butterflies, wildflowers but some local history. Directions: Travel east on I-180/USRt.220 taking exit #23 (“Warrensville”), turning right at traffic light, taking the road behind the motel and then, less than a mile park at Riverfront Park pavilion on the left. Leader: LARRY WALTZ (LNRWaltz@aol.com).

SUGAR VALLEY for Purple Martins (Saturday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m.): Meet at the Pine Creek Rail Trail Parking Area in Jersey Shore to carpool to an Amish farm, joining this family which has had unusual success in having Martins return each to their four ‘condominiums.’ (12 individual nest spaces in each!). Leader: MIKE KURIGA (michaelkuriga@comcast.net).

JUNETEENTH Brandon Park (Saturday, June 15th-Sat-11a): As we did last year, Lycoming Audubon will have an informational table at the annual Juneteenth Celebration in Brandon Park. Volunteers are welcome to help us connect with the public and answer questions about birds and LAS. This event is a chance for LAS to engage with folks in-town than our other tabling events in rural parks. Birds are everywhere! Come out and join us at this very enjoyable event celebrating African American heritage and culture. Or simply stop by and say HI.