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 2024

One new species was seen in Adams County in 2024, an American White Pelican. Other rare species observed included: Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Ross's Goose, Mississippi Kite, White-rumped Sandpiper, Log-billed Dowitcher. Species that were expected, but not found, were Bank Swallow and Dickcissel.

In the grasslands IBA (Important Bird Area), as well as many of the sightings mentioned under the Adams County list, there was a sighting of a rare Barn Owl in the IBA.

In the South Mountain IBA was the first sighting of a Trumpter Swan. Also there were sightings of probable escapees, Northern Bobwhite and Chukar.

Meetings and other Activities

Saturday, November 15 at 8:00 AM - Bird Walk at Battlefield Bed and Breakfast, Emmitsburg Road, Gettysburg.

Meet at 2264 Emmitsburg Road, Gettysburg at 8:00 AM. The entrance to the property is on the left if you are heading south on Emmitsburg Road out of Gettysburg. It is about 1.5 miles south of the entrance to the Eisenhower National Historic Site.

As you enter the drive, keep to the left and continue to the parking area. Again, keep to the left and park behind the main building.

This is a mostly level walk with no elevation gain, but there are a few obstacles such as low-hanging branches, fallen tree limbs, and an uneven (but easy) bridge crossing. It is possible that the path will be wet and/or muddy, so please wear boots or hiking shoes with good tread.

Please RSVP to Linnette Mansberger at Imcopperhead@gmail.com. If you have any questions please call Linette on 717-495-8137

Meeting: Monday, November 17, Chris Davis, Biologist, will talk about the beavers living in Gettysburg National Military Park.

Audubon Christmas Bird Count: Saturday, December 20. If you are interested in helping contact Evan Vaeth at nexevan@gmail.com

Meeting: Monday, January 26, Linette Mansberger will present 'Winging it Near Water'

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:

• South Mountain
  
• South Adams County Grasslands

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

South Mountain Audubon sponsors educational efforts on natural history in the local schools. This year it financed the purchase of books by the Bermudian Middle School.

Long Pine Reservoir

On the 21st September South Mountain Audubon hiked on trails close to Long Pine Reservoir; 43 species were observed (link to eBird report).

Philadelphia Vireo

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Photos by Evan Vaeth

Slyder Farm, Gettysburg NMP

On 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 Park

On Saturday, 4th October, SMAS members walked around East Bermin Community Park; 41 species were observed.

Northern Flicker

Great Blue Heron

Photos by Linette Mansberger

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 has not been previously seen in October.

Indigo Bunting

Photo by Kevin Hall

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Photo by Jamie Noble