WEEKLY Bird Walks in York County!

Join us for an outdoor adventure at different locations in York County each week as we explore to see what birds are in the area.  These are informal walks and anyone with an interest in nature is welcome to attend, regardless of skill level or membership status.  In fact, these walks are an excellent opportunity to learn about birding and nature. There are always some more experienced members on the walk who are  eager to share their knowledge.  No registration required. Click below for details.
A hummingbird gathers nesting material at the Lake Redman boardwalk.
(photo by Michelle Wittig)

Need something to do? Try out a new birding area!
The York County Birding Trail Map was an initiative long considered, but made a reality by former vice-president Andrew Wolfgang. yorkaudubon.org 
provides detailed information on 20+ locations including directions, unusual birds, best times of year, trails and other useful information.

York County Birding Trail Brochure - (printable PDF)
click the button to go to the map!

York County Bird Trail Project:  Signs have been placed at most of the 20+ birding sites that are identified and described on our web site. Thanks to financial support from National Audubon and York County Parks and Recreation, signs have been procured and located so that the visitor will know they are at a special birding site and that more information can be found on our website about their location and other sites. 


york_county_birding_trail_brochure.pdf
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July

July is a pretty slow month for birding. Primarily only local breeders are around.  They tend to be less visible and much less vocal as they are busy raising their young.  Be on the lookout for juvenile birds out and about, which can be confusing since they can vary drastically in plumage from adults.
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The only movement during this month tends to be waders and shorebirds.  Some species, like little blue heron (especially immature ones), tricolored heron, and white ibis, tend to wander after they breed.  On rare occasions, these species show up in York in places like Lake Redman Boardwalk, Sheppard-Myers, Long Arm, or Black Rock. Keep an eye on ebird for any reports of these and other rarities.  

By the last week of July,  some of the expected migrating shorebirds will begin to arrive.  Look for Solitary Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, and Yellowlegs in areas where there are exposed mudflats.  Typically, Sheppard-Myers Reservoir, the southern end of Long Arm Reservoir, and Lake Williams/Redman have exposed mudflats or shallow enough water at this time of year.

August

Shorebirds
Despite not being located along the ocean, shorebird migration can be surprisingly good in York. The water levels at many of the lakes and ponds starts lowering in the late summer , revealing suitable mudflat habitat for migrating shorebirds and waders. During September, the numbers of shorebirds should continue to be increasing with larger numbers of least sandpipers, semipalmated sandpipers, and both species of yellowlegs present. Be sure to check closely for pectoral sandpipers and semipalmated plovers as well. Typically during August, the water level of Lake Marburg tends to fall, exposing the mudflats at Black Rock Flats.  When this happens, this becomes one of the prime hotspots for shorebirds and one should always be on the lookout for rarities. Also, continue to check Sheppard-Myers, Long Arm, Lake Redman Boardwalk, and Lake Williams for exposed mudflats.  Pinchot SP may also produce some good species if the water level there is low.
Best Mudflat Locations in York:
Black Rock Flats is part of Codorus State Park and is usually the best spot in the county for shorebirds in late summer/fall.  The mudflats are usually visible from the Black Rock Boat Launch Parking Lot off of Black Rock Road or from walking the Mary Ann Furnace Trail (trailhead just east of boat launch on Black Rock Road).

Sheppard-Myers Reservoir is just a 9 minute drive from Black Rock Flats, so it is highly recommended to couple any trip to Black Rock with a trip to Sheppard-Myers to check out this often overlooked hotspot for shorebirds. There are several spots to park along Impounding Dam Road with trails down to the lake.  Exactly where to park and which trail to go on will depend on the water level.  Fortunately, the reservoir is small and accessibility is fairly good, so you can drive around and look for where the best mudflats are at that time.

Marburg Flats - this is another spot in Codorus State Park that sometimes has good mudflats.  This is the southeastern most part of Lake Marburg along Blooming Grove Rd where it intersects with Morningstar Rd.  Access is limited to viewing from the somewhat busy road, so care should be taken.  If you are adventurous, there are a few deer paths that can be taken  through the wooded buffer over the rocks and poison ivy down to the lakeside that yield some unobstructed views of the flats.

Long Arm Reservoir can have mudflats on the north end that are visible from Westminster Rd.  There is also usually good shorebird habitat at the south end of the reservoir along Grand Valley Rd.  There is a handicapped parking area 0.2 miles south of Leppo Mill Rd.  Depending on the water level, there may be good mudflats at this parking area.  If the water level at this spot is too high, walk farther south on Grand Valley Rd until you find the waterline and exposed mudflats.

UPMC Hospital (aka Memorial Hospital / aka Hawk Lake Golf Course) Retention Pond.  - Located in West York not far from the West Manchester Mall, this former golf course still retains some nice habitat for birding.  While there is a walking trail on the grounds that winds around several small ponds, a surprise shorebird hotspot in 2020 was a small retention pond on the grounds.  There are two retention ponds located on the south side of the hospital and just north of Innovation Dr.  In fact, Innovation Dr goes right along the ponds.  In 2020, the water level of the west-most pond was just right for small waders and both species of yellowlegs, solitary sandpiper, pectoral sandpiper, and least sandpiper were found there.  The best part about this spot is that you can get very close, eye-level views of shorebirds that you otherwise usually see at a distance.  Time will tell if this continues to be a good hotspot for shorebirds.

​Warblers Arrive!​ - The last week of August marks the beginning of the fall neotropical migrant arrival in York County.  Look for Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Black and White, Blackburnian, and Canada Warblers beginning to move through during this time.  Rocky Ridge, Nixon, and Spring Valley Parks are among the best places to go for fall warblers. 


York Audubon recent activities have included a visit to Gardener of the Owl Valley, a Go Green in the City event, ECO event at Codorus state park, and birding on the Lake Redman Boardwalk, where we met up by chance with the 4-H Wildlife Watchers.
In a replay of our February meeting, Master Gardener Deb Carman covers the habitat elements necessary for the survival of butterflies from egg to adult. The important ecological role that our native plants and butterflies play in food webs, especially concerning nesting birds, are highlighted. Multiple species of butterflies commonly occurring in PA are profiled.

(Click below to view the recording of the meeting)

drive.google.com/file/d/1zd_W8MyuS_7aO95I-Bg4TJ_e_HRjdmG5/view?usp=sharing

Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022:
The annual YAS Gettysburg trip was attended by 12 brave birders under the talented leadership of David Weaver, and the careful coordination of  York Audubon's Tish Swam. . The temperature was brutally cold, but all were excited about the treasure hunt! Northern harriers worked back and forth across the field, a red-headed woodpecker gave quite a show on a bridle path that overlooked the Eisenhower farm, kestrels, red-tailed hawks and an immature bald eagle gave birders a thrill. A beaver pond with a lodge was in the basin below Little Round Top. There was NO FEE required, as York Audubon sponsored this event FREE for all attendees. 
THE RESULTS ARE IN!!

2021 Christmas Bird Count for Kids

York County Parks and the York Audubon Society held the 2021Christmas Bird Count for Kids at Nixon County Park on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.  26 Participants reported bird sightings while hiking trails at the park. The bird sightings included 20 species and 128 individual birds. These details were included in National Audubon's 122nd Christmas Bird Count, an international, citizen science effort used by scientists to track the health of bird populations.




















2021 Christmas Bird Count

The weather for the CBC was cloudy and in the high 30's, but the birders in the tricked out bird truck were warm because of the heated seats. Sightings included 34 species, including 10 red-tailed hawks, 2 yellow-bellied sapsuckers, 35 cardinals, 33 red-bellied woodpeckers, and 3 red-shouldered hawks.
The truck had a banner and a flashing yellow light for the roof. Even so, 2 homeowners accosted the birders as to why they were looking at their properties with binoculars!
2021 Bird Seed Sale a Success!!!

York Audubon Society recently held its 2021 Bird Seed Sale. Pickup day was Saturday, October 30. The sale was again orchestrated by long time leader of 38 years, Dick Humbert. A motley crew of volunteers ran the efficient pickup operation, loading the bird seed orders into customers vehicles in very efficient fashion. The only delays were caused when old time friends would meet, and find it necessary to engage in some friendly banter, briefly holding up the line!

On a more sober note, Dick Humbert has decided to step down from running the bird seed sale after 38 great years. While he will still be involved in the sale, he has decided to hand over the detailed operations to Kyle Groft starting next year. I'm sure Dick will enjoy his retirement, knowing the operation will be in great hands with Kyle.

The binoculars winner is Rich Coons, longtime Audubon member. The fellow holding the sign with Dick is Larry Pritt, who worked on the very first bird seed pick-up . A truck full of seed came to Larry's house, where customers picked up their orders. Larry did that only once! But Dick soldiered on for a total of 38 years! Karl and Susan Kleiner are our biggest supporters, filling 2 Subaru Outbacks each year.
Re-live recent presentations

View "SAMBURU SAFARI: A Stunning Side of Kenya" presented by  Adrian Binns, of Wildside Nature Tours. Just click on the button below!
View the entire  webinar from Wildside Nature Tours, titled "Trinidad and Tobago: A Relaxed Introduction to South America". Just click on the button below!
 
View "Birding in Big Bend National Park" presented by Lee Hoy via Wildside Nature Tours by clicking on the following button.

View "U.S. National Park Treasures: Yellowstone, Tetons, and Glacier" presented by Kevin Loughlin, president and owner of Wildside Nature Tours by clicking on the following button.

View " Botswana: Okavango Delta Wildlife" presented by  Adrian Binns, of Wildside Nature Tours. Just click on the button below!

Garden Day at John Rudy County Park

York Audubon's first foray of the new season was the annual Garden Day at John Rudy County Park, when the public can tour the pollinator gardens, vegetable gardens, listen to seminars, get free plants, taste garden delicacies, and visit booths. The York County Master Gardeners play a huge role in this yearly venture, volunteering many hours of planting, tending, and harvesting. We all enjoyed the fruits of their labor today. Dick Humbert, Michelle Wittig, Bill del Grande and I spread the word about the York Audubon Society!




Neither rain, nor snow, nor heat of day shall deter us from watching birds!

Our 4 scheduled walks for the spring have been completed. They were very well attended, even though we endured a snow squall while walking amidst early spring wildflowers at the river, and showers on the boardwalk at Lake Redman, followed by an early taste of summer heat at Hopewell! What could Mother Nature possibly have in store for us next!
Don't forget to visit the York Audubon feeders at Pinchot Park
(photos courtesy Sherry Lookofsky)

Have an unusual bird sighting?

An unusual bird for the area, an unusual time of year for a bird to be seen, or maybe the first of the season as the migration season begins!
Report it on our new Birding Blog!
Members can enter their sightings (text only) on the blog for other members to read and comment on.
Click the button below to check it out!
Baltimore Bird Club's Martin Brazeau has created a new website! If you loved his bird identification video quiz, and enjoyed his presentation at our December meeting, you will love this!

Birding videos and quizzes, topics on bird songs, warblers and more! Check it out! Thanks Marty!

To contact us by email, or to unsubscribe from our email list, send a note to:

audubonyorkpa@gmail.com

Still need something to do? Try out the wealth of resources available from the American Birding Association (ABA) website, including tips on birding from home.

https://www.aba.org/
Please Note Our NEW MEETING LOCATION 

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH of YORK,
925 S. GEORGE ST, YORK, PA
(just north of York Hospital)

Regular Monthly Meetings are free and open to the public - Come join us!

 



Peter Kaestner shared some of his marvelous worldwide adventures at our March York Audubon Society meeting. The audience loved listening to his near-death experiences of birding in many remote and beautiful places! His life list is at 9,450 so far, with a goal of an unfathomable 10,000 birds! Peter is pictured here with Tish Swam and Carolyn Mathur.
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Our February 2020 meeting featured Mark Kocher, veteran volunteer for local raptor rehabilitator Mitzie Eaton. He wowed the  crowd tonight with live raptors and his many colorful stories about them. We got up close with a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk, a cute little Screech Owl and a handsome Barred Owl!





The crowd was huge for the York Audubon January meeting, when George Schardt presented "The Desert Southwest~ A Birder's Paradise". His photos and stories were spellbinding, and humorous parts were charming! We applauded a spectacular program! Pictured are George and his wife Darlene.

Images from the Desert Southwest
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Our November 19 meeting featured the very talented photographer Bob Anderhalt (right), show here with York Audubon vice-president Andrew Wolfgang. Bob narrowed over 17,000 pictures down to his 100 best in order to present "The Birds of Magee Marsh". The photographers in the audience were enlightened on some of the techniques used to shoot the pictures, while the bird lovers were just "wowed" by the gorgeous photos. Thanks Bob for a great evening!
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York County geologist Jeri Jones (left) enlightened us about the many fascinating geological features of our county. He will lead a field trip to the Chickies Rock area on Saturday, Oct. 26. If you're interested, call him at 717-887-7103. Jeri is pictured here with our Audubon vice-president Andrew Wolfgang.

http://www.jonesgeo.com/


At our September 2019 meeting, Cliff Beittel, acclaimed bird photographer who now lives in Sanibel, Florida, offered tips on capturing the best possible nature photos. He revealed secrets about lighting, timing, subjects, equipment, and more. Check out his amazing photos at:

https://www.cliffbeittel.com/index
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Cliff Beittel, shown here with Program Director extraordinaire Tish Swam, and the York chapters own photography buff, Bob Anderhalt.
Shown above are just some of Cliff's cover photos found on several national magazines.
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Guest speaker Doc Schoch with YAS President Carolyn Mathur following Doc's extremely interesting and informative presentation entitled

“Damsels and Dragons—Flies, that is!”

at the May 2019 chapter meeting.
View a copy of our most recent newsletter and calendar of events
2022_spring_newsletter.pdf
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2021_2022_yas_calendar.pdf
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Membership application for York Audubon Society - print and mail
york_audubon_membership_application.pdf
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York Audubon Society is a tax-exempt charitable organization under IRS regulations [section 501(c)(3)]
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