Outdoor notes
First Posted:
The Stanley Cooper Sr. Chapter of Trout Unlimitedwill kick off thir 28th year of chapter meetings beginning Tuesday Sept. 9 with guest speaker Mike O’Brien. Mike is the co founder of the monthly Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide magazine and often contributes articles to the magazine; is also a guide, author and lecturer. He will present — Carp on the Susquehanna with a Fly.
In October, Henry Ramsey, author, lecturer and noted fly tier will have a presentation on fly fishing for trout with terrestrial patterns.
The November and December presentations will be especially interesting to all sportsman — anyone that hunts, fishes, hikes, enjoys the outdoors, not just those interested in fly fishing. In November, there will be a short video presentation from Trout Unlimited National Headquarters entitled “What is hydraulic fracturing? How does it potentially affect the watershed?” In December, Paula Piatt from PA Trout Unlimited will have a presentation on how to watch for and report occurrences associated with fracking.
All meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month in the VFW Anthracite Post, on Wyoming Avenue in Kingston, at 7:30 p.m. There is no cost and meetings are open to the public. For more information visit www.sctu.org.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission will host an educational program on Pennsylvania elk at the Northeast Region Office in Dallas on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The program will start at 7 p.m. and be repeated at 8:15 p.m.
Elk biologist Jeremy Banfield will be presenting this free program that will cover elk biology and behavior, elk history in Pennsylvania, population monitoring and viewing opportunities. A film titled Pennsylvania Elk, Celebrating 100 years, will be shown as part of the program.
“This presentation will be of interest to hunters, wildlife watchers, educators and the general public,” said William Williams, Information and Education Supervisor for the Game Commission’s Northeast Region. “The successful reintroduction of elk into Pennsylvania occurred 100 years ago and is truly one of Pennsylvania’s greatest wildlife success stories.”
“We hope to see a good turnout for this informative and entertaining program about one of Pennsylvania’s most fascinating animals.”
The Game Commission Northeast Region Office is located at 3917 Memorial Hwy. in Dallas. The office phone number is (570) 675-1143. No reservations are required.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold a free “Fly Fishing Introduction Course” on Saturday, Sept. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at Ricketts Glen State Park. This course is designed for families interested in learning the basics of fly fishing equipment, casting techniques and on water skills. The course is the perfect place to learn fly fishing basics and meet other people interested in fishing. This program is being hosted by DCNR Ricketts Glen State Park.
Preregistration is required: Register by 4 p.m. Sept. 11. Registration can be completed online at www.gonefishingpa.com under the “family fishing” program link. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis and space is limited. Participants should dress for outdoor weather and the program will be held rain or shine. For more information contact Allan Schreffler at 570-477-2206.
Promised Land State Park and Varden Conservation Area will hold the 5th annual Varden Conservation Day on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Varden Conservation Area is a hidden gem located in Wayne County near Lake Ariel, discover its historical and natural wonders during this day-long event. The day will include activities for the entire family such as a silent auction, kid’s fishing derby, tracks and signs program, a history of the Varden area and much more. Activities will run throughout the event. Come out & celebrate the beauty of Varden Conservation Area. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Varden Conservation Area. If you have questions or need directions [email protected] or call 570-676-0567 or stop at the Park Office located on Route 390 in Greentown.
The Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society will hold the following programs this fall:
Iroquois Trail Birding – Sept. 6 at 8 a.m., free; Join Sandy Goodwin and Jon Thomas of the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society as our guides on this leisurely, two-mile, rail to trail bird walk overlooking the Tunkhannock Creek below. Meet at the Weis Market parking lot on Route 29 in Tunkhannock at 8:00 A.M. Call Sandy at 570-639-5785 to register.
Compost and Carbon Footprint – Monday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. at the Trinity Presbyterian Church on Irem Road in Dallas, free; Amos Valenti, Audubon Coordinator for the Huntsville Golf Club, will explain to us how last year Huntsville made serious efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by starting a robust compost program. Every week several hundred pounds of kitchen waste is kept out of landfills and being turned into nutrient rich compost. Huntsville practices three types of composting: Aerobic composting (piles that are turned), vermi-composting (worms) and anaerobic composting (bokashi) which uses a fermentation like process to break down any organic waste including animal by-products. The finished compost is used to fertilize Chef Michael Langdon’s vegetable garden and made available to members for free. For information call 570-479-0400. A field trip to the Huntsville Golf Club on Sept. 27, will demonstrate these unique composting techniques.
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, Sunday, Sept. 28 at 8 a.m., free; Join Bob Wasilewski from the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society as he leads a bird walk through the Kirby Park Natural area. With a species list totaling some 165, you never know what surprises might await us. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch. Lot access is accessed via First Ave., across the street from the Subaru dealership on Pierce Street, Kingston. For information contact Bob Wasilewski at 570-542-5948.
Saw-whet owl banding, Oct. 18, 4:45 pm, free; The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art sponsors this site in Schuykill County where we will go to observe the saw-whet owl researchers catch and band migrating owls. This trip has a limited number of participants so register early. There is no fee for this trip, but we ask that each participant make a donation to help support this research. Bring a camera, snacks and beverages as needed, and warm clothes as the building is not heated. Meet at the Weis Market parking lot in Dallas at 4:45 p.m. or at the Park & Ride across from McDonalds near the Blackman St. Plaza K-Mart at 5 p.m.. Contact Sandy Goodwin at 639-5785 for more information or to register.
USDA Working Lands for Wildlife Program: Golden-Winged Warbler Initiative, Monday, Oct. 20 at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Irem Road, Dallas, 7 p.m., free; Jason Diaferio, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist out of the Tunkhannock Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Office will give a short presentation on the Working Lands for Wildlife Program (WLFW) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He will inform birders and/or landowners on specific USDA landowner incentive programs that benefit Golden-winged Warblers and other bird and wildlife species as well as habitats that could be created through these incentive programs. He will also point members who are interested in the right direction for further information and/or assistance. For information call 570-479-0400
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, Sunday, Oct. 26 at 8 a.m., fee: Join Bob Wasilewski from the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society as he leads a bird walk through the Kirby Park Natural area. With a species list totaling some 165, you never know what surprises might await us. Join us to see what birds are in the Park this fall. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch. Lot access is accessed via First Ave., across the street from the Subaru dealership on Pierce Street, Kingston. For information contact Bob Wasilewski at 570-542-5948.
Pennsylvania Boreal Conifer Forest Bird Challenges and Opportunities, Monday, Nov. 17 at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Irem Road, Dallas at 7 p.m., free; The boreal conifer forests that support bird species of conservation concern are peatlands at headwaters of high quality, cold water streams. They are habitat islands isolated from other boreal forests but nested within large forest blocks. One of the most important areas for this boreal forest community is what is called “North Mountain,” the eastern part of the Allegheny Plateau that stretches roughly between Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre, including parts of Luzerne, Wyoming, Sullivan, Lycoming, and Bradford counties.
Doug Gross, a PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist and Supervisor for the Endangered and Non-game Bird Section, will describe this specialized habitat, the birds that depend on it, and the efforts that are being made in conducting surveys of these bird species and the management techniques used to protect them and their habitat. . For information call 570-479-0400
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, Sunday, Nov. 23 at 8 a.m., free; For information contact Bob Wasilewski at 570-542-5948.
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, Sunday, Dec. 28 at 8 a.m., free; For information contact Bob Wasilewski at 570-542-5948.
Local Waterfowl, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m.; Jon Thomas will lead an exploration of local areas in search of waterfowl. This is a great trip for both beginners and experienced birders, and most birding will be done from your auto without much walking. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes and field guides if you have them. Meet at the Weis Market parking lot on Route 29 in Tunkhannock at 9 a.m. Contact Jon Thomas at 570-586-3702 for more information or to register.
First Day Hike at Hickory Run State Park, Jan. 1, 2015 at 1 p.m.; During this hectic time of year take a few hours to relax and get some exercise walking through the various habitat zones within this scenic area at the edge of the Lehigh Gorge. Dress appropriately for this 3-mile hike. Meet at 1:00 P.M. at the Gould Trail parking area along Route 534 approximately 3/4 mile west of the Park Office. Contact John Jakoby at 570-474-5884.
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 at 8 a.m., free; For information contact Bob Wasilewski at 570-542-5948.
