Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society

08/31/2022

📣📣📣Audubon is Looking for Volunteers📣📣📣
Northeast Pa. Audubon’s annual litter pick-up will be on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Lake Ariel, and they are looking for a minimum of twelve volunteers to donate a few hours to the effort which starts at 9 AM. Gloves, safety vests, and bags will be provided. “For decades, Audubon has been doing this annual litter pick-up along a two-mile section of route 191,” says pick-up coordinator, Katharine Dodge, “and some of us are getting on in years. That is why we really need new volunteers to help us.” Volunteers are being asked to sign up by Saturday, October 1 st by contacting Audubon at [email protected] or calling 570-253-9250.

07/11/2022

We are joining the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society Discussion Group in their letter writing campaign, and SO CAN YOU! 📨📨📨📨 Check out the details in the images below, and click here to send a message to the committee: [email protected]

05/07/2022

ANNOUNCEMENT: the Lacawac Sanctuary Walk has been postponed due to inclement weather. The walk will now take place on June 11th at 8:00am
You can learn more about this and other events at Lacawac Sanctuary here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/pafe/event/846939/

11/04/2021

Did you guys see this?! A dinosaur was invited to address the UN! He came out to warn the collective about driving themselves to extinction.

This video was produced by The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the voice of Jack Black.

The UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

For more information on the ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign, visit: dontchooseextinction.com

The world spends an astounding US$423 billion annually to subsidize fossil fuels for consumers – oil, electricity that is generated by the burning of other f...

10/19/2021

DID YOU KNOW?

This week is Birdability Week 2021! And along with National Audubon and our fellow chapters across the state and country, NEPA Audubon wants to recognize this important week of awareness.

Birdability Week is a celebration of birders with disabilities and other health concerns, and an opportunity to share resources and ideas to help the birding community be accessible, inclusive and welcoming to everybody and every body 💙

The first Birdability Week, held during October 2020, launched Birdability into becoming a nonprofit organization. This year, National Audubon is excited to celebrate inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) in the birding community and the outdoors through online workshops, panels and interactive activities.

Want to know more? Check out: https://www.birdability.org/birdability-week-2021?fbclid=IwAR2O1rf4VJwbUF4YO6vVAfwv8ugT4t5LZbbpoBjAyu0fSUtQZgfpMEa7xxE

PHOTO CREDIT: Accessible outing lead by Birdability at the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival in Tucson taken by Freya McGregor

09/10/2021

We're at the NEPA Community Day at the Vooperage until 6pm! Come learn about Audubon!!

09/09/2021

Emily was one of our Hog Island Environmental Camp scholarship winners!

Each year, the Northeast PA Audubon Society provides a full scholarship for a young adult and family member of Lackawanna, Wayne, Susquehanna or northern Pike County to visit Maine’s scenic Hog Island.

Hog Island’s Family Camp provides a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy nature together. The pristine environment on Hog Island offers a wide variety of habitats for nature study. Campers cruise Muscongus Bay in search of seabirds and seals. They examine aquatic insects and amphibians in a freshwater pond, look for mushrooms and wildflowers in the forest, and search for fish and marine invertebrates along the intertidal zone. Evening programs include night hikes and stargazing.

We're so glad that you had such an amazing and memorable experience Emily!

These scholarship experiences are made possible through the continued support and generous donations of our members and the Northeast PA community. The ability to offer younger generations the opportunity for immersive experiences in nature like that of Hog Island is something that our chapter will always champion.

"The mud will wash off, but the memories will last a lifetime." 🌿💚

07/27/2021

Our friends at the Audubon Society of Western PA has a new program offering Pollinator friendly seed mix. Click the link below to see if you qualify and how to get your seeds!

The Audubon Society of Western PA is offering 50 percent off a special pollinator seed mix for Monarchs, bumblebees, and other native polli...

07/24/2021

DAY 50 of the 50 Birds in 50 days for 50 Years NEPAS Virtual Anniversary Celebration
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TODAY'S BIRD OF THE DAY:
is the Dark-eyed Junco!!

Who will be our last Bird of the Day as our Virtual Anniversary Celebration comes to an end!

John Audubon called the Dark-eyed Junco the little Snow-bird and it is still called that today. Because it is easy to capture and handle, much of the information that we know of bird biology has come from studies with this bird. The birds appear in flocks during winter and return to previous areas that they once visited. The annual return rate is about 50%.

NEPAS HISTORY OF THE DAY:

NEPA Audubon has recently joined with other PA Audubon chapters working on a regional basis to advocate for environmental issues, including the most recent collaboration with Lehigh Valley Audubon and their awareness campaign of the dangers of wildlife bycatch using glue traps for the Spotted Lanternfly. We’ll have more news on this in a separate post!

THANK YOU ALL FOR CELEBRATING WITH US!

We hope you all enjoyed learning about the birds of our area and the history of our chapter. Thank you for joining us for our virtual anniversary celebration! We hope you'll continue to engage with us on social media. Be sure to sign up for updates on our website. Want to become a member of the NEPA Audubon Society? You can do that too at www.nepaaudubon.org/

Photo: Michael Stubblefield/Alamy

07/23/2021

DAY 49 of the 50 Birds in 50 days for 50 Years NEPAS Virtual Anniversary Celebration
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TODAY'S BIRD OF THE DAY:
is the Mallard!!

The Mallard is most familiar and widely distributed of the dabbling ducks and was once known as the "wild duck" in England. The Mallard is the source of all domestic ducks, except the Muscovy Duck. Feral populations composed of mixtures of both wild and domestic Mallards inhabit and breed in urban areas throughout the world. where they habituate to humans who feed them. It is successful in the wild pointing to its hardiness and wide food tastes and tolerance of humans.

NEPAS HISTORY OF THE DAY:

Our chapter has just recently become active in an Upper Delaware River Watershed working group. Multiple chapters across several states are coming together to educate, advocate, and preserve this critical area.

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY

This week's Family Fun Activity (Activity #7) is Inside My House - Who's Been Here?!

For the activity details, please visit our website at nepaaudubon.org/nepas-50th-anniversary-celebration/, scroll to Activity #7, and you'll find the instructions and accompanying materials!

07/22/2021

DAY 48 of the 50 Birds in 50 days for 50 Years NEPAS Virtual Anniversary Celebration
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TODAY'S BIRD OF THE DAY:
is the Bald Eagle!!

Dedicated as the national emblem of the United States in 1782 by Congress, …. It was so abundant in Alaska that a 50¢ bounty was established in 1917, increasing to $2 in 1949 before the bounty was overruled by federal regulation in 1952. Over 128,000 bounties were paid out between 1917 and 1952. The entire Bald Eagle population in the contiguous United States was listed for protection in 1978 under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Populations have increased dramatically since 1980 as DDT levels dropped and breeding productivity returned to pre-DDT levels. One of the most studied birds having thousands of articles written about it.

NEPAS HISTORY OF THE DAY:

Northeast PA Audubon is a member of the Pike-Wayne Conservation Partnership, a consortium of environmental organizations and agencies who meet throughout the year to share their programs and visions for the future. One of the highlights is an annual legislative breakfast where the member groups present issues of concern to local, state, and national elected officials.

07/21/2021

DAY 47 of the 50 Birds in 50 days for 50 Years NEPAS Virtual Anniversary Celebration
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TODAY'S BIRD OF THE DAY:
is the Red-tailed Hawk!!

Widespread and commonly observed birds of prey in North America, this bird occupies a broad range of habitats from central Alaska south to Venezuela and east to the Virgin Islands up to 16 subspecies recognized. Mated birds initiate courtship and maintain the pair bond with spectacular aerial maneuvers performed by both members of the pair. Red-tails are tolerant of exurban and agricultural development as long as food is available and the converted landscape includes adequate open space and perch sites for hunting and tall trees or other structures for nesting. Some individuals successfully breed in large, urban environments.

NEPAS HISTORY OF THE DAY:

Northeast PA Audubon was one of the charter organizations at Earth Day celebrations in the Hawley area. We, along with numerous other organizations and agencies, tabled and presented programs for large numbers of attendees for many years. One of our specialties was bird walks.

BIRD QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Are birds smart?

Bonus Question: What kind of bird behaviors have you observed in your community?

Go on! Take a guess in the comments! We'll post the answer later tonight!

07/20/2021

DAY 46 of the 50 Birds in 50 days for 50 Years NEPAS Virtual Anniversary Celebration
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TODAY'S BIRD OF THE DAY:
is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird!!

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the only breeding hummingbird species in eastern North America in the United States, the western boundary of its breeding range ends along a remarkably straight north–south line, just east of the 100th meridian. Many of these tiny birds fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico during fall and spring migration, a round-trip of more than 1,600 km. Although the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is common and widely distributed, scientists do not know many aspects of its life cycle including nesting success. We do know that during courtship, the female sits quietly on a perch while the male flies in a pendulum arc to dazzle her, he also displays this behavior to defend a flower patch.

NEPAS HISTORY OF THE DAY:

Based upon extensive 2014 and 2019 National Audubon studies on the effects of climate change on bird populations, board member Barbara Leo put together a program on Birds and Climate. She has presented this at various venues including part of a series of talks in local breweries and bars called “Science on Tap.”

07/19/2021

DAY 45 of the 50 Birds in 50 days for 50 Years NEPAS Virtual Anniversary Celebration
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TODAY'S BIRD OF THE DAY:
is the Common Merganser!!

This large, cold-hardy, fish-eating sea duck nests worldwide near large lakes and rivers in northern forested habitats. In North America, it winters on large lakes, rivers, and reservoirs of the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, central United States, Great Lakes region and along the coasts as far north as Alaska. It generally nests in tree cavities (or nest boxes) but will nest on the ground or in crevices. Females breed in their second year, generally lay one clutch per year, and will lay their white eggs in the nests of other cavity-nesting ducks. Mergansers have fine sharp serrations along the sides of its bill to hold slippery fish. As a top predator in aquatic food chains, this species has served as an indicator of environmental health both for contaminants (pesticides, toxic metals) and lake acidification.

NEPAS HISTORY OF THE DAY:

Thanks to support from our members and friends, we have been able to sponsor scholarships to environmental camps at Lacawac Sanctuary, in Vermont, and in Maine. We have also sent students to the Pennsylvania Wildlife Leadership Academy, and Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute. You can find out more about scholarship opportunities on our website: http://www.nepaaudubon.org/

CONSERVATION CALL TO ACTION:

Today's CCTA is all about Creating Bird Friendly Communities!! Most Americans live in cities or suburbs, and people can play a critical role in fostering healthy wildlife populations and communities. Rural regions have an outsized opportunity to contribute. As the leading voice for birds, Audubon can inspire the one in five adults who watch birds to make daily lifestyle choices that add up to real conservation impact. www.audubon.org/bird-friendly-communities

07/18/2021

We wanted to share something awesome that Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support (SEEDS) is doing!

Be sure to check out Today’s Main Ingredient: Bringing Farm Food to Your Table!

It's a podcast produced by SEEDS of Northeastern Pennsylvania and consists of 15-minute audio programs, focusing on local farms and food businesses one ingredient at a time!

"Today’s Main Ingredient: Bringing Farm Food to Your Table” is a podcast produced by SEEDS of Northeastern Pennsylvania and consists of 15-minute audio programs, focusing on local farms and food businesses one ingredient at a time.

07/18/2021

DAY 44 of the 50 Birds in 50 days for 50 Years NEPAS Virtual Anniversary Celebration
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TODAY'S BIRDS OF THE DAY:
are the Great Blue Heron and Green Heron!!

The Great Blue Heron is one of the most widespread and adaptable wading birds in North America. Most commonly breeds in colonies which are vulnerable to disturbance and habitat loss, climate change and increasing predator populations all of which may bring new challenges. There are migratory and non-migratory populations over most of North America, however, this species exhibits a general movement away from the northern edge of its breeding range for winter, sometimes covering vast distances.

The Green Heron is a relatively small, dark, compact, crested wading bird, the Green Heron is a common species of wetland thickets throughout much of North America. Some of this bird's behaviors are especially well appreciated; flying away from human disturbance, for example, it often produces a scolding squawk and a stream of white defecation, giving it such vernacular monikers as "fly-up-the-creek," "sh*te-polk," and "chalk-line.” They are among the few tool-using birds, fabricating various baits that entice fish to where they can grab them.

NEPAS HISTORY OF THE DAY:

Northeast Pa. Audubon has collaborated with a number of other groups including Lacawac Sanctuary, Pocono Environmental Education Center, the Sierra Club, and SEEDS (sustainable Energy Education & Development Support). We also offer free space to conservation groups to display and present at our annual Art & Craft Festival.

07/17/2021

DAY 43 of the 50 Birds in 50 days for 50 Years NEPAS Virtual Anniversary Celebration
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TODAY'S BIRD OF THE DAY:
is the Black Vulture!!

Black Vultures lack a highly developed sense of smell and so cannot find carrion by scent alone. However, they exploit the superior food-finding skills of Turkey Vultures by following them to carcasses and then displacing them from the food. The sight of one vulture descending to a carcass draws others from over a large area and dozens may assemble at a single carcass. Black Vultures do not build a nest. Instead, they lay their (usually two) eggs on the bare ground in a cave, hollow tree, abandoned building, or other dark recess. Black Vultures are monogamous and maintain long-term pair bonds. The pair associate closely year-round and may feed their young for as many as eight months after fledging. This prolonged dependence of the young on their parents may, in part, be responsible for the strong social bonds with kin that Black Vultures maintain throughout their lives.

NEPAS HISTORY OF THE DAY:

From 2013 through 2017, Audubon board members Pat and Jim Sanders produced 92 segments called “For the Birds” for the Saturday morning Farm and Country show on WJFF public radio (90.5 FM). Archived episodes can be found on our website: http://www.nepaaudubon.org/