BIG SPRING -Trip Leader -Bill Franz (Valley/Saturday Only) Summary – A nice and easy walk along three miles of the picturesque Big Spring Creek in the middle of the valley on a paved road. You will see lots of birds and the looks you will have will tend to be in brush and small trees rather than tall trees. Having good looks at Tennessee Warblers almost guaranteed. Red-headed Woodpecker is a pretty sure bet too. No bathrooms along the way of the walk.
BIG FLAT / RIDGE ROAD / MILESBURN ROAD -Trip Leader -Ramsay Koury (Blue Ridge) Summary – If you don’t like to walk much, and like the idea of seeing a lot of migrants, this trip along the ridge in the Michaux State Forest might be for you. Drive, hear birds, get out of car, look, and repeat as needed. This trip is a good candidate for the largest number of warblers and other migrants to be found. Not anything in the way of toilet facilities on site.
COLONEL DENNING / ELK HILL / LAUREL RUN -Trip Leader -Annette Mathes (Kittatinny Ridge) Summary – At Elk Hill take a leisurely 2+ mile walk down hill on a gravel road. The tree canopy to one side of the road isn’t much above eye level which is helpful in dealing with warbler neck. Laurel Run Road (Perry County) will be driving with stops. A fairly good amount of migrants are to be found in this section of the Tuscarora State Forest including numerous Worm-eating Warblers which breed here and perhaps a left over Kentucky Warbler or two which also breed here. There are basic bathroom facilities at Colonel Denning.
PINE GROVE FURNACE / CAMP MICHAUX -Trip Leader -Vern Gauthier (Blue Ridge)
Summary – A fairly easy to moderate 2+ mile loop to hike at Camp Michaux (Michaux State Forest), some of it on the Appalachian Trail. Walking at Pine Grove Furnace is on flat terrain. This is a good spot for Hooded, Canada, and Wilson's Warblers. Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied flycatchers have also been found here over the years. You might also get a Common Nighthawk or two that are late turning in for the day. Bathrooms located at Pine Grove.
STATE GAME LANDS 169 -Trip Leader -Andy Markel (Valley) Summary – A trip with a large variety of habitat including marshes, creeks and ponds. This is one of the better locations for Connecticut, Mourning and Wilson’s Warbler and maybe even an Orange-crowned. Rails and Black-crowned Night Heron are possible. The trip will mostly consist of short walks at various locations on the game lands. If there are field birds or shorebirds of interest in area fields these stops will be added as well. No bathrooms at the game lands
.STATE GAME LANDS 230 -Trip Leader -Peter Lusardi (Valley) Summary – A fairly flat walk of the game lands. A Good supply of migrants with Mourning and Connecticut Warblers found some years. A short drive to Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch, you might want to pack a lunch and go to the Hawk Watch afterwards. Rifle and Hand Gun Ranges will mean some noise. No bathroom facilities on site.
HARRISBURG -FORMER STATE HOSPITAL GROUNDS / WILDWOOD PARK -Trip Leader -Ted Nichols (Valley) Summary -On the stately grounds of the former State Hospital you will see a wide variety of warblers and other migrants. At Wildwood these same woodland migrants are possible along with the addition of waterfowl, shorebirds, and herons. Ian Gardner will lead this trip on Sunday Bathrooms are available at Wildwood Park.
HEISEY ORCHARD / STILL HOUSE HOLLOW / MILESBURN ROAD -Trip Leader -Bill Oyler (Blue Ridge) Summary – Begin the trip in an old orchard that attracts a good amount of migrants. Philadelphia Vireos seem to have a thing for the orchard. Then it is driving along the gravel roads of the Michaux State Forest, hear birds, get out of car, look, and repeat as needed. This trip is similar to the Big Flat / Ridge Road / Milesburn Road Trip. There are no bathrooms along the route.
LITTLE BUFFALO / WAGGONER'S GAP HAWK WATCH -Trip Leader -Chad Kauffman (Kittatinny Ridge) Summary -Spend some time at this picturesque park where you are able to encounter a fair amount of migrants. Walks will be level to slight incline. The real draw on this trip is heading up to Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch mid morning for what are the peak dates of Broad-winged Hawk Migration. It is quite possible to get a few hundred Broad-winged and double digit Bald Eagles among other species, such as Osprey and Sharp-shinned. Nice bathrooms at Little Buffalo and port a pots at the Hawk Watch.
MILLER’S GAP / LAMB’S GAP / STATE GAME LANDS 170 -Trip Leader -Ian Gardner (Kittatinny Ridge) Summary -Up on the ridge at Miller’s and Lamb’s Gaps there is usually a pretty good flow of migrants. Just about anything could show up and often does. Down in the valley this trip covers productive parts of SGL 170. This is a trip that combines some walking with driving. Ted Nichols will lead this trip on Sunday. No bathrooms at the locations.
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BIG FLAT / RIDGE ROAD / MILESBURN ROAD -Trip Leader -Ramsay Koury (Blue Ridge) Summary – If you don’t like to walk much, and like the idea of seeing a lot of migrants, this trip along the ridge in the Michaux State Forest might be for you. Drive, hear birds, get out of car, look, and repeat as needed. This trip is a good candidate for the largest number of warblers and other migrants to be found. Not anything in the way of toilet facilities on site.
COLONEL DENNING / ELK HILL / LAUREL RUN -Trip Leader -Annette Mathes (Kittatinny Ridge) Summary – At Elk Hill take a leisurely 2+ mile walk down hill on a gravel road. The tree canopy to one side of the road isn’t much above eye level which is helpful in dealing with warbler neck. Laurel Run Road (Perry County) will be driving with stops. A fairly good amount of migrants are to be found in this section of the Tuscarora State Forest including numerous Worm-eating Warblers which breed here and perhaps a left over Kentucky Warbler or two which also breed here. There are basic bathroom facilities at Colonel Denning.
PINE GROVE FURNACE / CAMP MICHAUX -Trip Leader -Vern Gauthier (Blue Ridge)
Summary – A fairly easy to moderate 2+ mile loop to hike at Camp Michaux (Michaux State Forest), some of it on the Appalachian Trail. Walking at Pine Grove Furnace is on flat terrain. This is a good spot for Hooded, Canada, and Wilson's Warblers. Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied flycatchers have also been found here over the years. You might also get a Common Nighthawk or two that are late turning in for the day. Bathrooms located at Pine Grove.
STATE GAME LANDS 169 -Trip Leader -Andy Markel (Valley) Summary – A trip with a large variety of habitat including marshes, creeks and ponds. This is one of the better locations for Connecticut, Mourning and Wilson’s Warbler and maybe even an Orange-crowned. Rails and Black-crowned Night Heron are possible. The trip will mostly consist of short walks at various locations on the game lands. If there are field birds or shorebirds of interest in area fields these stops will be added as well. No bathrooms at the game lands.
STATE GAME LANDS 230 -Trip Leader -Peter Lusardi (Valley) Summary – A fairly flat walk of the game lands. A Good supply of migrants with Mourning and Connecticut Warblers found some years. A short drive to Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch, you might want to pack a lunch
and go to the Hawk Watch afterwards. Rifle and Hand Gun Ranges will mean some noise. No bathroom facilities on site.
HARRISBURG -FORMER STATE HOSPITAL GROUNDS / WILDWOOD PARK -Trip Leader -Ted Nichols (Valley) Summary -On the stately grounds of the former State Hospital you will see a wide variety of warblers and other migrants. At Wildwood these same woodland migrants are possible along with the addition of waterfowl, shorebirds, and herons. Ian Gardner will lead this trip on Sunday Bathrooms are available at Wildwood Park.
HEISEY ORCHARD / STILL HOUSE HOLLOW / MILESBURN ROAD -Trip Leader -Bill Oyler (Blue Ridge) Summary – Begin the trip in an old orchard that attracts a good amount of migrants. Philadelphia Vireos seem to have a thing for the orchard. Then it is driving along the gravel roads of the Michaux State Forest, hear birds, get out of car, look, and repeat as needed. This trip is similar to the Big Flat / Ridge Road / Milesburn Road Trip. There are no bathrooms along the route.
LITTLE BUFFALO / WAGGONER'S GAP HAWK WATCH -Trip Leader -Chad Kauffman (Kittatinny Ridge) Summary -Spend some time at this picturesque park where you are able to encounter a fair amount of migrants. Walks will be level to slight incline. The real draw on this trip is heading up to Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch mid morning for what are the peak dates of Broad-winged Hawk Migration. It is quite possible to get a few hundred Broad-winged and double digit Bald Eagles among other species, such as Osprey and Sharp-shinned. Nice bathrooms at Little Buffalo and port a pots at the Hawk Watch.
MILLER’S GAP / LAMB’S GAP / STATE GAME LANDS 170 -Trip Leader -Ian Gardner (Kittatinny Ridge) Summary -Up on the ridge at Miller’s and Lamb’s Gaps there is usually a pretty good flow of migrants. Just about anything could show up and often does. Down in the valley this trip covers productive parts of SGL 170. This is a trip that combines some walking with driving. Ted Nichols will lead this trip on Sunday. No bathrooms at the locations.
GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD -Trip Leader -Deb Siefkend & Mike Bertram / (Valley/Sunday Only)
The group will meet up with the leaders at Gettysburg National War Memorial.
Precise directions and GPS address will be provided.
Summary – A little Civil War History with your birding? Well, a lot of Civil War History with your birding is more like it. Along with some migrants you will get Redheaded Woodpeckers and field birds. Something a little different for those who want to take the opportunity to visit Gettysburg while in the area. Bathrooms are available.
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