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and, announcing our most popular and highly anticipated trip . . . .
 
MAGEE MARSH &

OHIO’S NORTHWESTERN SHORE

May 10-13, 2023

See info and pictures from previous years Magee Marsh trips

This trip is for the BIRDS!

That’s right. You will have every opportunity to explore the spring migration waypoint along Lake Erie’s southern shore in northwestern Ohio. Birders from across the world make this pilgrimage just to be able to see the birds feeding low in the branches. Warblers galore! Nashville, Black-throated Greens, Black-and-whites, Yellow, Cape May, Black-throated Blues, Prothonotary, Wilson’s, and the list goes on and on!
You’ll explore the shoreline, the marsh and wooded areas in search of every bird that is passing through, as well as, those present year-round. The exploration is at your own pace for most of the trip.

NatureStabler Explorations, LLC
1 Center Square, Suite 201
Hanover, PA 17301
NatureStabler.com
NatureStabler@gmail.com
717-688-5183

Click below to check out the Magee Marsh flyer

    

magee_2023_flyer.pdf
File Size:	604 kb
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     Gettysburg Battlefield Tour
Saturday January 21

Tour Gettysburg Battlefield with licensed guide Dave Weaver to look for winter wildlife while listening to Dave's stories about the battle at each site we visit. Carpool from the Visitors' Center. Meet in the lobby at 1:45.
Tour lasts 2 hours. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars.

Reservation required. NO FEES. Coordinator: Tish Swam 717-235-2578 (Inclement weather date: January 28)

York Southeast Christmas Bird Count
Also on Wednesday December 28

Please consider participating in the new York Southeast Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday December 28 . Your eBird checklists within the count circle can be sent directly to eBird. Your paper checklist should be sent to Chuck Berthoud at chuckbmib@gmail.com. The CBC will include Modern Landfill in Yorkanna, Spring Valley and Nixon County Parks, Lakes Redman and Williams, Reservoir Park and Hopewell TWP Recreational area. If you live within the count circle please keep a feeder list! If you live within 7.5 miles of Rt 24 (Winterstown Road) and Barshinger Road you are within the count circle. Please consider taking the time to count and report all the birds you see on December 28.

 Christmas Bird Count for Kids
December 28, 2022

Are you between the ages of 8 and 18 and would like to participate in a citizens science project to identify and count birds? Experienced birders from York Audubon Society will explain how to use binoculars to identify birds, record them on a check list and submit your findings on the eBird website at Cornell Labs.
 
WHEN:              December 28, 2022 from 10:00 AM to noon.
 
WHERE:           Nixon County Park Nature Center, 5922 Nixon Dr, York PA 17403
 
REQUIREMENTS:       -register by calling Nixon Park at 717-428-1961. Registration may be limited.
-bring a parent or adult who will stay with you.
-wear clothing appropriate for walking on trails for up to 90 minutes.

 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Saturday, December 17
 
Join the 123rd Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on Saturday, December 17. First conducted in 1900, this is the nation’s longest running wildlife census. Around the USA and 19 other countries, participants join a group that identifies as many species and their numbers within a circle with a 15 mile diameter. Census data are compiled and sent to the National Audubon organization. Results are used by researchers, scientists and wild life agencies to assess the health of bird populations and to guide conservations efforts. The Environmental Protection Agency has used the findings as an indicator of climate change.
 
The York Audubon circle centers on Lake Marburg in Codorus State Park. Counters form teams and search areas likely to have many and/or unusual birds. Birders of all levels are welcome. If interested, contact  Bernie Frick at 717-843-6675 or email at BernardFrick@alum.lehigh.edu. In case of bad weather, our alternate date is December 30.

Monday, Jan. 10, 2022: Meeting has been cancelled.

Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022:
Tour Gettysburg Battlefield with licensed guide Dave Weaver to look for winter wildlife while hearing Dave's stories about the battle at each site we visit. Carpool from the Visitors' Center. Meet inside the lobby at 1:45 p.m. Tour is about 2 hours. Dress for the weather. Event is now being sponsored by York Audubon and is FREE to all attendees. Please register.
Coordinator: Tish Swam 717-235-2578. (Inclement weather date: Jan. 22, 2022)

Monday, Feb. 14, 2022:
Join Penn State master gardener Debra Carman as she shares her passion with pollinators in a presentation titled, "Creating Habitat for Butterflies". 7:00 p.m. at Lutheran Memorial Church (or by Zoom if necessary, TBD)

Monday, March 14, 2022: 
On Zoom, Peter Kaestner will present: "Micronesia~~~Jewels Above and Below the Water.”
Memories of World War II battles, rare endemic birds, and spectacular undersea life highlight a month-long journey through the tiny islands of Micronesia.

Saturday, April 2, 2022:
York Audubon banquet at East Berlin Area Community Center! Family style dinner, silent auction, raffle, and a great presentation by Maryland photographer Middleton Evans, titled, "Birds of Maryland, Delaware, and  the District of Columbia." Autographed copies of his book will be for sale. SAVE THE DATE!

Wednesday, April 20, 2022:
Spring wildflower walk near Otter Creek, Airville. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Queensgate Shopping Center near the Community Aid Thrift Store towards the southwest edge where we will carpool. Expect a rich vein of wildflowers near the river. After a trail walk, we can move to the Urey Overlook for a view of the river. Bring a lunch, if inclined. Leader: Bernie Frick at Bernardfrick@comcast.net

Thursday, May 5, 2022:
Trip to The Gardener of the Owl Valley near Hellam, owned by Judy and Dick Bono. Stroll along paths of woodland gardens by a stream, while viewing many varieties of native wildflowers and trees. Also, visit their lovely shop on the property. Meet at the Red Robin parking lot at York Galleria at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. Call coordinator Tish Swam at 717-235-2578 to
 reserve your spot. 

Saturday, May 7, 2022:
Bird walk at Nixon County Park and Lake Redman boardwalk. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Hollow Creek Trail parking lot, 400 Valley Road. Note that this is NOT the parking lot area at Nixon Park Visitors' Center. Walk will include trails and some moderate climbs, open fields, wetlands, and streams. Leader: Bernie Frick at Bernardfrick@comcast.net

Monday, May 9, 2022: 
David Arrow presents a very helpful and informative program titled, "Viewing Nature in the Digital Age: Smart Tools to Help Find, Identify, and Preserve".  7:00. Location TBD.

Wednesday May 11 - Saturday May 14, 2022:
Magee Marsh, here we come! Join Becky Stabler on the bus for the warbler adventure of a lifetime! Contact Becky at Naturestabler Explorations for all of the details! 717-688-5183.

Wednesday, May 18, 2022: 
Bird walk at Kiwanis Lake at 9:00 a.m. Park on Wood Street just off Pennsylvania Avenue, west of the lake. See nesting Great Egrets and Black-crowned Night Herons and see why this is designated a PA Audubon Important Bird Area. Contact Bernie Frick at BernardFrick@comcast.net

Thursday, May 26, 2022:
Visit Draycott Gardens in northern Baltimore County. Stroll through Carol Warner's private gardens to see a huge collection of irises, peonies, and exquisite tree specimens, alongside spring perennials and annuals. Her license plate says "IRIS LADY"...her gardens have been visited by countless groups from all over the country! Meet at Shrewsbury Giant parking lot at 9:00 a.m. to carpool. Plan to eat lunch in Hereford on the way back. Leader: Tish Swam 717-235-2578.

Saturday, June 11, 2022:
Annual York Audubon Society picnic at William Kain Park's Muskie Pavilion.  Meet at 12:00 noon with a dish to share and your own utensils. The pavilion has electrical outlets. All are invited for fun and games! Bring your binoculars for birdwatching!  Questions? Contact coordinator Tish Swam 717-235-2578.


CLICK BELOW FOR A PRINTABLE PDF OF OUR 2021-2022 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The guidelines of our meeting host, the Unitarian Universalist Church of York, requires us to once again hold the meeting via Zoom. If you are on our email list and did attend our Zoom meetings previously, you will be sent the invitation link automatically. If you are not on our list and want to attend in the event of a Zoom meeting, you can sign up by sending a request (including your email) to:
audubonyorkpa@gmail.com

yas_liability_release_form_v2.pdf
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NEW - Scheduled Field Trips

 1.     Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00AM - Nixon Park
Meet at the lower parking lot. We will walk the fields and woods. Good trails, one moderate climb. Contact Bernie Frick to register: BernardFrick@comcast.net

2.    Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020; Arrive at 10:00 AM: Field trip to Peggy Frey's extensive gardens to observe late summer-flowering plants, birds, dragonflies, etc. Bring a picnic lunch, if desired. Cameras and binoculars are encouraged. Peggy has a golf cart available. Her gardens have been on the East Berlin Area garden tours for many years...a joy to behold!
 
Address: 2015 Ridge Road, East Berlin, PA 17316
Leader: Tish Swam 717-235-2578 (Call to reserve your spot)
Limit: 10 participants - No carpooling
 
3.     Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020:   Same as #2 above
 
4.     Wednesday, September 23, 9:00 am. Pinchot Park birding walk. RAIN OR SHINE.
         Contact Jean and Jim Leaman to register: gardenjean2@yahoo.com.  A limit of 10 participants, so sign up early.
EASY WALKING on roads through the campground and short side trails, some near the lake edge may be muddy.
Jim and Jean Leaman will lead the walk from the parking lot at the East Area Campground entrance

DIRECTIONS: From York, take 74 North to a point 3 miles beyond the Dover Square. Turn Right on East Area Campground Road and follow the brown sign to the Office.We will meet at the office parking lot.
Download the Liability Form from the link below and bring completed form to the leaders. Leaders will have additional forms on site.

NOTES:  Masks are required in Park buildings only. Bathrooms are available throughout the campground.


Fall activities come with certain rules:

1. Participants will be limited to 10 and must register with the leader before the activity.
2. Participants will meet at the site. No organized carpooling.
3. Social distancing and wearing of masks should be observed.  
4. Participants will need to sign a release form and give it to the activity leader prior to participating. Leaders will have copies the day of the event, or you may print the following form ahead of time and bring it with you. 

Be sure to send your email address to
sherrylookofsky@comcast.net
in order to obtain the meeting link and instructions

in memoriam
ALICE FRICK

York Audubon Society lost a valuable member of our organization late this spring. Alice Frick succumbed to cancer, a battle she valiantly fought for 20 years. She had a dedication to the natural wonders all around her, especially the birds. Alice and Bernie shared countless outdoor adventures while camping and hiking and exploring parts of the U.S. and beyond. Alice enjoyed sharing her vast library with others, and teaching us about the latest birding technology.

For the last few years, Alice was our Conservation chairperson. She volunteered, along with Bernie, to work with PA Audubon leaders on a variety of projects with school children at Hannah Penn School, William Penn High School, and Kiwanis Lake. Alice established the annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids at Nixon Park, recruited Andrew Wolfgang to be our YAS vice-president , and hosted lunch for all of the Christmas Bird Count participants from our organization. Each autumn, Alice willingly helped with our annual bird seed distribution day.

Alice and Bernie invited the executive board to meet monthly in their home a few years ago, saving our organization hundreds of dollars in room rental fees at the church. She graciously served refreshments as well during those meetings. She readily shared ideas for speakers and field trips. She and Bernie gave some delightful presentations to our group during monthly meetings, and led several field trips to local birding hotspots.

Alice remained a true friend to York Audubon Society, bequeathing a generous amount of money toward our endeavors. We remain ever grateful to Alice Frick.

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Creating Habitat for Butterflies"

to be presented by Debra Carman via Zoom

If you have not done so for a previous Zoom meeting, be sure to send your email address to
sherrylookofsky@comcast.net
in order to obtain the meeting link and instructions

The presentation will cover 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, will be highlighted. Multiple species of butterflies commonly occurring in PA will be profiled. Deb’s informational sheet “Butterfly Larval Host Plant List” will be available, along with other related topics.

(Deb has also informed us of the following resource: The Native Plant Habitat Team has partnered with
C3 (Community Conservation Committee) and they have posted all of the reference sheets that are offered on their website.  The web address is https://c3conserve.com/. All of the sheets are under “Resources” in pdf form. They are very easy to access.)

Debra Carman is a Penn State Master Gardener in York County, Native Plant Habitat Team Committee Chair, Butterfly and Moth Habitat Specialist, avid eBirder! Deb’s mission is to inspire others to make positive environmental changes in their gardening practices. Butterflies are excellent examples to show the complex connections between wild creatures and native plants. Through the natural attraction which people feel for butterflies, Deb teaches the importance of creating environmentally friendly habitats with native plants that foster food webs for all wildlife.