Juniata Valley Audubon Society

Juniata Valley Audubon Society http://www.jvas.org

A chapter of National Audubon Society dedicated to nature education and conservation in south-central Pennsylvania (Blair, Bedford, Huntingdon, Centre, and portions of adjacent counties.)

🐦 Grasshopper Sparrow 🐦With subtle flecks of mustard yellow on the face and a soft, understated beauty, the Grasshopper ...
06/14/2026

🐦 Grasshopper Sparrow 🐦

With subtle flecks of mustard yellow on the face and a soft, understated beauty, the Grasshopper Sparrow is a true specialist of North America’s grasslands. As its name suggests, this sparrow frequently feeds on grasshoppers and other insects, often removing a grasshopper’s legs before eating it.

Unfortunately, the Grasshopper Sparrow is among many grassland bird species experiencing significant population declines across North America. The loss and fragmentation of native grasslands continue to reduce the nesting and foraging habitat these birds depend upon.

Protecting and restoring grasslands is essential if we hope to ensure that Grasshopper Sparrows—and countless other declining species—continue to have a place to raise future generations. Every preserved meadow, pasture managed for wildlife, and restored grassland helps keep the songs of these remarkable birds on the landscape for years to come.

🌾 Conservation of grasslands is conservation of the wildlife that depends on them. 🌾

Photo by Michael Kensinger.

Some refer to them as the “Snakebird.” Others say “water turkey,” “master fisherman,” or even “nuisance,” but the truth ...
06/06/2026

Some refer to them as the “Snakebird.” Others say “water turkey,” “master fisherman,” or even “nuisance,” but the truth is the Double-crested Cormorant inspires many opinions depending on who you talk to.

Cormorants are extremely talented underwater hunters, capable of outswimming many fish and even being used in some parts of the world as a means of catching them. However, unlike ducks, the D.C.C.’s feathers are not fully waterproof. This unique adaptation allows them to become partially saturated, reducing buoyancy so they can dive and pursue fish with remarkable agility.

Once they are done fishing, you’ll often find cormorants perched with their wings stretched out to dry in the sun.

I photographed this individual at Canoe Creek State Park, where the species often remains for weeks at a time. Their timing is perfect, coinciding with the approximate trout-stocking schedule.

These living dinosaurs didn’t always have it easy. Because they depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems, their numbers declined dramatically during the era of widespread pesticide contamination, including DDT. Thankfully, stronger environmental protections and improved water quality have helped the species recover across much of its range.

Cormorants are just one of countless species that depend on clean water. From trout and mayflies to herons, otters, and people, healthy waterways connect us all. What affects the cormorant ultimately affects the rest of us as well.

Join us tomorrow morning at 10 for Juniata Valley Audubon Society’s first Tuesday birding walk at the Northern Blair Cou...
06/01/2026

Join us tomorrow morning at 10 for Juniata Valley Audubon Society’s first Tuesday birding walk at the Northern Blair County Rec Center!

“Is this my good side?”The truth is, the Chestnut-sided Warbler doesn’t have a bad side. These tiny birds fly all the w...
05/31/2026

“Is this my good side?”

The truth is, the Chestnut-sided Warbler doesn’t have a bad side. These tiny birds fly all the way from Central America to make use of new growth forest and shrubby field edges in order to reproduce. They are a symbol of why forest management doesn’t always mean “let it grow”. Sometimes it means careful planning. Flooding and natural fires once produced such openings which the species relied on. Now, prescribed fires as done by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, do much good for birds and wildlife species that share this same habitat.

This Wood Thrush has worked tirelessly on her nest, along with her mate. Neatly woven with threads of twigs and mosses,...
05/29/2026

This Wood Thrush has worked tirelessly on her nest, along with her mate. Neatly woven with threads of twigs and mosses, there is a level of dedication in their relationship that is to be admired. We wish them 🍀 luck as they work together on bringing another generation of these fantastic songsters to Pennsylvania’s forests.

The Great Egret is an elegant bird that has made a dramatic rebound from the brink of extinction. In the late 1800’s and...
05/23/2026

The Great Egret is an elegant bird that has made a dramatic rebound from the brink of extinction.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the Great Egret was one of several birds targeted for its feathers. In the case of the egret, it was the long breeding plumes that were being used in women’s hats during the height of the feather trade. Thousands upon thousands were killed during the nesting season, leaving chicks to slowly starve and perish in the nests.

Can you imagine?

This thoughtless slaughter, however, create a spark. That spark turned into a fire, which was and continues to be the conservation movements that lead to stronger wildlife protection laws and the creation of organizations like the National Audubon Society.

As I paused to observe this tall, elegant bird at Wildwood Park in Dauphin County, I was hushed by its ghostly beauty, plumes bending in the breeze. The beauty is impossible to ignore on a bird that is over 3 feet tall. I shot the bird of course - but with my camera. How anyone could shoot it with anything else is beyond me. And as I pressed down on the shutter button I was reminded that the Great Egret was once a bird in great decline.

In the dramatic light and warm wetland air, the egret alighted - with a wingspan of 5 feet - it never fails to take my breath away. And to think we almost lost this bird forever!? Gosh, I can’t even fathom it.

The Great Egret is *more* than a bird. It is quite frankly, a living example of how measured and concerted conservation efforts can save our wild neighbors from disappearing forever.

🇺🇸 The Juniata Valley Audubon Society would like to recognize and applaud Blair Memorial Park for making an environmenta...
05/23/2026

🇺🇸 The Juniata Valley Audubon Society would like to recognize and applaud Blair Memorial Park for making an environmentally responsible change by replacing balloon releases with a beautiful Bubble Launch during memorial events.

While balloon releases are often done with heartfelt intentions, released balloons eventually return to the environment as litter, where they can impact wildlife, waterways, forests, and farmland. Balloon fragments may be mistaken for food by birds, livestock, and other animals, and even “biodegradable” balloons can persist in nature for years before fully breaking down.

By choosing bubbles instead, Blair Memorial Park has found a meaningful and visually uplifting alternative that honors loved ones while also protecting the natural world we all share.

Conservation is often built upon small but thoughtful decisions, and we believe positive changes like this deserve recognition and community support. We thank Blair Memorial Park for leading by example and demonstrating how traditions can evolve in ways that are both compassionate and environmentally conscious.

Please consider supporting this family-friendly event!

⭐️ Last night at the Juniata Valley Audubon Society Creator’s Night, some wonderful and talented folks shared their crea...
05/20/2026

⭐️ Last night at the Juniata Valley Audubon Society Creator’s Night, some wonderful and talented folks shared their creative endeavors and interests. It was a great evening of fun Puffin cookies, art, poetry, and free trash picker-uppers! 🗑️ 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃‍♀️ 🎨

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Altoona, PA
16603

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