Overview and ActivitiesQuick LookNext Field Trip: Tuesday, 3rd March,Thursday 5th March Middle Creek Next Meeting: 5:00 pm Thursday, 2nd April Annual Banquet |
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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 2025The Adams County list for 2025 had 3 species that are not regularly seen: Common Gallinule, Little Blue Heron, and Alder Flycatcher. The South Adams Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA) had 5 species that are not not regularly observed: Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Common Gallinule, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Cerulean Warbler, and Clay-colored Sparrow. The regularly seen Bonaparte's Gull was missing. The South Mountain IBA list was missing 9 species that are normally observed: Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Kestrel, Bonaparte's Gull, Horned Lark, American Pipit, Prairie Warbler, and Rusty Blackbird. There were no observations of new species on any of the lists. Meetings and other ActivitiesField Trip: Tuesday, March 3rdThursday 5th March Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County Meet at 8:50 AM in the parking lot behind the Burger King that is across the road from WalMart on Route 30 east of Gettysburg. From there, carpools can be arranged as needed and we hope to depart no later than 9:00 AM. If you prefer to drive directly to Middlecreek, we will meet in the parking area at the Visitor’s Center around 10:30-10:45 AM. After using the restroom facilities in the Visitor’s Center, we will proceed on the Self-guided Driving Tour with a possible short hike to Willow Point. Although we will be in the cars much of the time, appropriate footwear and dressing for cold and windy conditions are recommended. Bring a snack/lunch and drinks. We hope to depart Middle Creek around 2:30 PM and return to Gettysburg around 4:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, please reply to Scott Wood at the following email address so that he knows to look for you. Indicate whether you plan to meet in Gettysburg or at Middlecreek. Swood1@gmail.com If you are unable to find the group on Tuesday morning, you should contact Scott. He will check his email prior to departing Gettysburg. For further information, please visit the Middle Creek website - https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/about-us/contact-information/offices-and-regions/middle-creek-wildlife-management-area Meeting: 7:00 pm Monday, March 16th, Birds of Prey - presented by Patrick Miller of Miller’s Wildlife and Conservation Specialists
Patrick Miller and Great Horned Owl This program will feature LIVE ANIMALS and is being funded by donations to our education budget. Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a bird of prey? These mighty hunters, also known as raptors, are specialized to catch their own meals - but the way each species does it is unique! During our Birds of Prey program, we will take you under our wing and teach you about the distinct characteristics of a variety of raptors. From “feathered missiles” to “wolves of the sky,” this program will take your understanding of raptors to new heights! Miller’s Wildlife was founded in 2019 by Maggie and Patrick Miller. Our mission is to foster an appreciation for all things wild by bringing the “wild” to you! Our program features a selection of ambassador animals who help us share the story of their wild counterparts. Join us to discuss the unique ecology of each animal - that is, the way each animal interacts with their ecosystem - and discover ways that YOU can help them in the wild! By using knowledge, humor, and ecological enthusiasm, we hope to inspire others to protect the natural world! Prior to the presentation there will be a brief business meeting. Annual Banquet: 5:30 pm, April 2nd, at Inn94 You are invited to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the South Mountain Audubon Society’s charter - granted September 1, 1981. We will gather at the INN 94 restaurant near New Oxford on Thursday evening, April 2nd at 5:30 PM for a social half-hour/cash bar, dinner celebration at 6:00 PM, and brief comments to follow dinner. A banquet room has been reserved for us for the evening. We will offer the following 5 menu items that will include a house salad and baked potato, with dessert provided by SMAS.
There is no need to pre-pay. Separate checks will be delivered at the end of the meal. We do, however, need to know your meal preference if you plan to attend. I hope you will consider joining us to celebrate the founding of this organization and to recognize the accomplishments of all who have volunteered their time over the years to continue this worthwhile endeavor. South Mountain Audubon Society is not just about birds. It’s also about preserving our local surroundings, teaching of the inter-relatedness of our environment, and developing friendships while sharing the joys of the natural world with like-minded folks. If you have never dined at the INN 94, I think you will be very pleased with our choice of venue for this special occasion. While not fancy either on the inside or the outside, the graciousness of the staff and the quality of your meal will be difficult to surpass. There is ample parking and the restaurant is conveniently located right along Route 94, four miles north of the Routes 30 and 94 intersection at Cross Keys. INN 94 is a well-hidden gem in Adams County! Please reply to Linette Mansberger at no later than February 27th to indicate your meal choice(s) if you are going to join us on April 2. The restaurant needs a 30-day time period to prepare their waitressing schedule and to order the food. Hope you will be able to join us! 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 InitiativesEach year, South Mountain Audubon chooses a school to be the recipient of new library books chosen by the school’s librarian, approved by our board, and funded with members’ donations to our education budget. Recently the Alloway Creek Elementary School in the Littlestown Area School District received their donation. Pictured below is the school’s librarian, Linda Fink, with the new collection.
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Slyder Farm, Gettysburg NMPOn the 27th September SMAS explored the Slyder farm area of Gettysburg NMP, observing 50 species.
Blackpoll Warbler
Palm Warbler Photos by Evan Vaeth East Berlin Community ParkOn Saturday, 4th October, SMAS members walked around East Berlin Community Park; 41 species were observed.
Northern Flicker
Great Blue Heron Photos by Linette Mansberger Oakside ParkOn Saturday, 25th October, a SMAS group walked around the perimeter of Oakside Park. 33 species were observed including one new species for the Park, a Golden-Crowned Kinglet, and 2 species that had not been previously seen in October.
Northern Mockingbird Photo by Kevin Hall
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Photo by Jamie Noble Battlefield Bed and BreakfastOn the 15th November South Mountain Audubon hiked on trails around the Battlefield B&B; 22 species were observed.
Brown Creeper
Northern Mockingbird Photos by Jamie Noble and Linette Mansberger |
