SMAS

Overview and Activities

Quick Look

Next Field Trip: 7 am, Saturday 23th May Carbaugh Run or SGL #249. Watch for announcement.

Next Meeting: 7 pm Monday, 18th May, Home Is Where You Lay Your Eggs - Nests

Meetings

Unless 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 Trips

FIELD 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 2025

The 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 Activities

Meeting: 7:00 pm Monday, May 18th, Home Is Where You Lay Your Eggs - Nests, by Kathy Gingerich

You decide if you want to live in the city, suburbs or country. Will this be a temporary home or a forever home? You choose a design for your home. You select building materials, construction begins, you move in. For birds it is the same.

Find a location, choose and collect materials and construct a nest(s) to keep eggs and young alive and safe. Is this accomplished by the male, female or together? Since there are about 11,000 species of birds the answers to these mandates are fascinating!

Kathy Gingerich taught Earth Science and Astronomy for 28 years, mostly at Red Land High School in York County. She ran the West Shore School District’s Environmental Center at Pinchot State Park for 10 years. She was awarded for having the top Environmental Program in the state of Pennsylvania. After retiring, Kathy continues as a volunteer, leading nature walks for school groups at Pinchot State Park. As a member of the Garden Club of York, Kathy is the Chair of the Birds, Bees and Butterflies Committee. She is a past recipient of grants from Audubon and National Geographic Society, National Secondary Teacher of the Year award winner, and was a teacher consultant to the Society for many years.

Field Trip: 7:00 am, Saturday 23th May, Carbaugh Run Scott Wood will lead this walk.

This may be changed to State Game Lands #249 at Heidlersburg. Watch the web site for an announcement.

Meet at 7:00 AM in the parking area on the north side of Route 30 at the intersection of Routes 234 and 30 - approximately 3 miles east of Caledonia State Park. From there we will carpool and/or caravan to the bird walk location. Hiking boots and insect repellent are recommended.

Field Trip: 7:00 am, Friday 29th May, Strawberry Hill Tony Arnold will lead this walk.

We will meet in the large parking lot at 1537 Mount Hope Road, Fairfield at 7:00 AM. The terrain is uneven and could be wet. Hiking boots and insect repellent are recommended.

DIRECTIONS from Gettysburg: Starting at the intersection of Fairfield Road and Confederate Avenue on the western side of Gettysburg, go west on 116 for approximately 6 miles and turn right on Bullfrog Road. Note, Bullfrog Road turns into Mount Hope Road. The parking lot will be on your left in about 3 miles.

Field Trip: 7:30 am, Saturday 13th June, Oakside Park Meet at the parking area by the park entrance on route 394, 1 mile north of Biglerville. Contact Mike Bertram at 717-809-3911 with questions.

Meeting :7:00 pm Monday, June 15th, Birds of Prey - presented by Patrick Miller of Miller’s Wildlife and Conservation Specialists

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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 Picnic: 5 pm, Monday 10th August, Location: Oakside Park, Biglerville, details to follow.

Field Trip:, Saturday 15th August, Shorebird Drive Depends on conditions. Details to follow.

Field Trip: 7:30 am, Saturday 22nd August, Big Spring This walk will follow a paved road. Details to follow.

Meeting: 7:00 pm Monday, September 21st, The Peregrine Falcons of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg.

Meeting: 7:00 pm Monday, October 19th, Gettysburg’s Bucket List: Least Shrew and other small mammals from the battlefield.

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.

The Society works towards those aims with meetings, birding trips, and conservation activities.

There are 2 Important Bird Areas locally:

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

Tel.: 717-809-3911

Mail: SMAS, P.O. Box 3671, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

Educational Initiatives

Each 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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Oakside Park

On 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.

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