Dear friend,

This week we're exploring some interesting characteristics of the feathered friends in our region. Some birds visit us seasonally and others live here permanently. Some are very vocal, others don't have too much to say. Some enjoy being near people and homes while others prefer the wilderness. Which birds do you see most often

Like people, no two birds are alike and each one contributes to its ecosystem in a unique and significant way. Like birds, each of us contributes to the health of our community in some way. Spending time outside is good for individuals, but it also helps build a collective understanding and appreciation for our region's natural resources and the importance of protecting their resilience today to ensure their ongoing health.
Also, are we excited to share ClearWater Conservancy's first virtual tour , available to everyone, everywhere, at anytime. During this tour, you'll join Scot Chambers on a scenic hike through Nittany Noll Preserve, a 452-acre parcel of land in Pleasant Gap, PA that was permanently conserved by ClearWater Conservancy in 2018. Along the way to an unforgettable view, you'll learn interesting facts and details about how the property has been used in the past and the many efforts underway today to conserve the land for future generations. While we hope everyone has the opportunity to explore this property in person at some point, this virtual tour offers a new way to connect individuals with the outdoors at a time when many do not have the opportunity to conveniently travel or hike long distances or steeper trails. We hope you enjoy this 16-minute tour produced entirely by our team at ClearWater, and look forward to sharing more virtual tours with you soon!

Thanks,
Dan Trew, Adventure Coordinator, ClearWater Conservancy

P.S. If you haven't already, please take 2 minutes to complete the CO survey at the end of this issue for a chance to win an awesome bag from Organic Climbing!
Looking and listening for midsummer birds
Learn something new!

Midsummer offers a much different bird-watching experience compared to spring or fall. For example, the many migrating species that use our region as merely a rest-stop have moved on by this time. Therefore most of the birds you can expect to find out and about during midsummer aren’t going anywhere because they are here to build a home and raise a family.

Foliage is another factor that affects a birdwatcher’s strategy. Finding birds in the summer requires more listening than looking, as many of our summer species like to hide in the upper reaches of t rees or are masked by the now dense growth of plants. Fortunately, many of these friends have very distinct voices and an outsized volume for how tiny they are. Digital guide apps are a major plus as they allow you to compare the sounds you hear directly with confirmed observations, without needing to speculate what a guide might mean by “ethereal.”

Birds more likely to be seen in the forest, away from homes:
Red-eyed Vireos are one of the most plentiful summer forest birds. They are incredibly difficult to spot as they prefer to hang out in the very tops of the trees in summer and are camouflaged with green and white coloration. Despite their tendency to hide, they are easily the most vocal soundtrack in the summer woods with individual males singing 20,000 or more times a day. Their call is similar to a robin’s, but the habitat you’re in can help you decipher between the two. If you hear what sounds like a robin in the woods, it is likely a Red-eyed Vireo. (photo credit: Kelly Colgan Azar, flickr )
With a call that can be heard over hundreds of yards, Ovenbirds are the rock stars of the bird world. Despite their big voices, they are tiny in size and weigh about half as much as a tennis ball (about 1 oz.). Their distinctive “Teacher-Teacher-Teacher” increases in volume over the course of the song. (photo credit: Susan Young, flickr )
Step outside in the early morning or evening for a chance to hear the distinctive call of a Wood Thrush as it lilts from deep in the woods. If ovenbirds are rockstars singing the hits, then the wood thrush is a church chorister producing a three-part cantata. Truly a songbird, the many flutelike notes produced by the wood thrush come from two different vocal structures enabling them to produce two harmonizing notes at the same time. They are mostly vocal in the limited light of dawn and dusk, so it can be tricky to find them in their preferred habitat of dense trees. (photo credit: Mike's Birds, flickr )
Rarely heard but often seen are ubiquitous Turkey Vultures (not that you would ever want to hear one as they make a very aggressive hissing sound). They soar on air currents from North to South America using dihedral—the V-like position of their wings—to maintain stability during flight and stay aloft for extended periods without constant adjustment. (photo credit: Allan Hack, flickr )
More likely to be seen in suburban areas, near homes and neighborhoods:
The House Finch is likely one the most frequent visitors for those who keep a feeder full in the summer. They tend to gather in loud groups that hunt for new feeders to swarm and devour their favorite food, black oil sunflower seeds. The males are usually clad in a bright red chest and head, distinctly marking them from other common feeder birds. (photo credit: Dan Trew)
Another very common bird to see around homes are Purple Martins , though not because they like feeders. For thousands of years people have been building homes for Purple Martins from gourds and now most of those along the east coast nest in man-made cavities. Purple Martins tend to eat harmful insects like mosquitos and biting flies making them ideal to have around your home. Their chipping calls are similar to other swallows and swifts though they are much more robust than their sleeker cousins. Unfortunately, they are victims of invasive species as European Starlings and House Sparrows will often force them out and take over their nest boxes. (photo credit: Alan Schmierer ,flickr)
Eastern Phoebes are another species that have adapted to be around humans. Their nests—a jumbled mass of mud, leaves, and grass—are often built under eaves or other protected alcoves near homes, though they are much less happy to share spaces with us and will fly away from humans while letting out quick calls. They are members of the flycatcher family and can often be seen darting after flying insects. (photo credit: Susan Young, flickr )
Lastly, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are common sights near gardens for a fleeting month or two before turning around and returning to Central America. Their tiny bodies burn through energy quickly and so they need to eat nearly constantly to maintain their furious pace. Their constant drive for food makes them relatively bold in that they can be seen feeding on flower and feeders while people are nearby. In fact, you are almost guaranteed to see hummingbirds if you have a properly maintained feeder in June and July. (photo credit: Eric Kilby, flickr )
Tips and Tricks for your bird-watching adventures

Bird Finding Tips:
  • Try to locate the source of the bird call before looking through binoculars or scopes
  • Keep your eyes looking at the location while raising the binoculars or moving eyepieces
  • Remain quiet and still, patience pays off when watching for birds
  • Have a field guide or birding app nearby to match what you see and hear in real life with illustrations and recordings
  • Mark frequently used pages in field guides or apps to make finding them easier in the moment
  • If bird behaviors change suddenly, look for predators like cats or hawks

What to bring on your adventure:
  • A refillable water bottle 
  • Sturdy and water-resistant footwear
  • Binoculars
  • Field guide and/or birding app
  • A light snack or picnic lunch
  • Cell phone for taking pictures or in case you need assistance

Remember: 
  • In order to stop the spread of increasing COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania, please regularly review all safety recommendations related to PA's stay-at-home order
  • Pack out everything that you bring in, including wrappers, food peels, litter, etc.
  • Follow local rules and guidance
  • Be considerate of others 
  • Stay local
  • If parking lot is full, consider entering the site from a different location
Choose your own adventure!

  • The Mid State Trail runs through Poe Paddy and the tunnel along the route also offers a quick reprieve from he sweltering summer heat and once on the other side the trail is a wide and easy to navigate rail-trail. The occassional Bald Eagle has also been known to cruise through in the summer to catch a fish out of the nearby Penns Creek.

  • The Scotia Barrens contains a wide assortment of forest birds and many of the trails pass through areas designated as important bird areas for some threatened species. Starting out at the Patton Woods parking area along Circleville Road grants immediate access to the woodland habitat with Scarlet Tanagers often calling just beyond the end of the parking lot.

  • The Spring Creek Canyon trail, accessed at any of the three main trailheads, gives a stream-side view of many of our feathered friends. In the early evening many insect-eating birds will flock to the water to try and catch some of the hatching insects on the water making for a good show in the cooler part of the day.
At-home adventure: DIY Bird Call

 Click the image below for directions in how to create your own bird call to interact with your local summer birds! Access even more creative, nature-inspired activities on the Centred Outdoors website !
All participants will be entered to win an Organic Climbing bag. Thank you for helping us make Centred Outdoors as great as it can be!
ClearWater Conservancy | 814-237-040 0 | contactus@clearwaterconservancy.org