Bird the Ridge Hike Series: Conservation through Observation

Visit www.kittatinnyridge.org to learn more about the Kittatinny Ridge.

Public Hikes

Delaware Water Gap Region

June 2nd, 2013 l 7:30am - 3:00 or 4:00pm

Heavy rain cancels

Appalachian Trail - Wolf Rocks and Cherry Valley Overlook

Hike the Appalachian Trail along the Kittatinny Ridge north of Bangor, PA.  Total 10 miles, moderate pace but frequent stops, with some rough terrain and rock scrambling but minimal exposure. Hike will start at the trailhead, go 2.5 miles in one direction and comeback where people can drop out, then go in the other direction and come back.

MEETING PLACE: Parking lot on west side of Rte 191. From North: Exit I-80 at 191 South. Proceed on 191 S for about 8 miles to Rt. 611. Continue approximately 2 miles south on 191 from 611. Parking on right. From South: At Wind Gap follow Rte 512 North to Bangor, left on Rte 191 North, go about 4.25 miles, lot is at top of hill on left after yellow pedestrian crossing sign. Parking is limited. Carpooling is recommended.

For details on parking options at the trailhead email the leader by Friday May 31.

Pre-registration is not required. Quest ions?

Susan Charkes, susan@suasncharkes.com

Lehigh Gap Region

June 8th, 2013 l 6:15pm - 10:00pm

No rain date

Lehigh Gap Nature Center

A 5-6 mile nighttime hike at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. This moderate to difficult hike ascends about 1,000 feet and includes listening for the Eastern Whippoor- will during the last mile when walking

back down on Translater Lane.

MEETING PLACE: Lehigh Gap Nature Center

Pre-registrat ion is not required. Quest ions?

lgnc@ptd.net or 610-760-8889

Hawk Mountain/Pinnac le Region

June 2nd, 2013 l 10:00am

Thunderstorms cancel

From Port Clinton to Hamburg Reservoir

Shuttle to Port Clinton, and enjoy a five-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail. Expert birder Dave Kruel will educate the group on bird identification and help collect data on the number/species of birds identified

on the hike to contribute to a larger Ridgewide citizen science effort.

MEETING PLACE: Meet at the Hamburg Reservoir NE of Hamburg at the end of Reservoir Rd, one mile north of Mountain Rd and 1.5 miles north of Old US 22. No intersection with I-78.

MUST PRE-REGISTER:

Karl Gardner at 610-987-3281 or

kargardner@aol.com

Swatara Gap Region

June 14, 2013 l 8:00am - 3:00pm

Rain date June 25th

Birdwalk in Fort Indiantown Gap Grasslands

Only one percent of Pennsylvania’s native grasslands still exist. David McNaughton of Fort Indiantown Gap, will lead a tour of unique grassland habitat, which holds Grasshopper Sparrows, Blue Grosbeaks,

Blue-winged and Prairie Warblers, American Kestrels, and rarer species not found elsewhere in the region.

Meeting Place: Meet at Ft. Indiantown Gap Community Club Boxcar Café at the intersection of Clement and Fisher Avenues.

Pre-registration is not required. QUE STION S?

David McNaughton, davmcnaugh@pa.gov

717.861.8408

Susquehanna Water Gaps Region

June 1, 2013 l 7:30am - 12:00pm

Rain date June 2nd

State Game Lands 211 - Cold Spring Trail to Rausch Gap and back along the railroad bed.

Join Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club for a citizen science birding along the Kittatinny. Leisurely pace, moderate terrain, 5 miles.

Meeting Place: Meet at Memorial Lake State Park- Upper Road Parking area, near restrooms, Grantville, PA. www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/memoriallake/

MUST PRE-REGISTER:

Lorrie Preston at 717-732-5615 or

lpreston5156@gmail.com

Susquehanna Water Gaps Region

June 1, 2013 l 9:45am - 2:45pm

No rain date

Along the Appalachian Trail to the Cove Mountain shelter

This is an 8 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail up to the Cove Mountain shelter, where the group will stop for lunch and return. The hike will include birding stops, but otherwise this will be a relatively fast paced hike. The approximate total elevation change is 1000 feet.

Meeting PLac e: Duncannon at Tubby’s parking lot

MUST PRE-REGISTER:

Peter Johnson at 805-300-4698

North Mountain Region

June 9, 2013 l 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Rain date June 16

Tuscarora Trail atop North Mountain

Join Paul Zeph, Audubon PA’s Director of Conservation, for a fun, family ramble along the Tuscarora Trail atop North Mountain. Learn about nesting songbirds, listen for singing Cerulean Warblers, and enjoy the scenic vistas of the Cumberland Valley.

Meeting Place: Waggoner’s Gap HawkWatch Parking Lot

Pre-registration is not required. QUE STION S?

Paul Zeph, pzeph@audubon.org

717-574-6668

WHAT TO BRING:

Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, binoculars, snacks and fluids. Wear sturdy, close-toed hiking shoes preferably with ankle support; many of the walks will include hiking on uneven or rocky surfaces.

Dress for the weather, but long pants are recommended.

Special places in your section of the Kittatinny Ridge!

Local maps of the regions across the Kittatinny Ridge and corridor are now up on the web site!  These Kittatinny Regions maps highlight the unique natural, historic and recreational resources - the special places - connected to this 185-mile landscape that spans 12 counties at a more local scale.  Each region is referred to by a more local name for the Ridge or a defining geologic or cultural feature - from east to west they are: Delaware Water Gap, Lehigh Gap, Hawk Mountain and the Pinnacle, Swatara Gap, Susquehanna Water Gaps, Capital Area, North Mountain and The Tuscaroras*.

Each region of the Kittatinny Ridge has a number of dedicated conservation partners and local advocates working with the Kittatinny Coalition, communities connected to the Ridge and state and federal agencies to preserve and bring attention to this special landscape.

What makes the Kittatinny Ridge so special in your area?  Are your favorite spots on these maps?  Tell us about it via email or comment on this blog.  Swatara Gap is featured above.  Check out the web site to view the rest! 

* Coming soon!

Upcoming events on the Kittatinny

Sweet Arrow Lake Park, Schuylkill County

Fly-tying, bird feeding and rock hopping in the great Kittatinny outdoors!

Feb. 12, 19 & 28 ~ Fly Tying Classes at Sweet Arrow Lake Park
Sweet Arrow Lake Park, Pine Grove, PA
Join veteran fisherman and fly tier Bruce Schneck and other members of Trout Unlimited for an instructive evening aimed at a great outdoor sport. Whether you are experienced or just a beginner you will be sure to pick up some tips and swap some fish stories. For more information, visit the Sweet Arrow Lake Park events schedule.

Feb. 16 ~ Feed the Birds at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
Join a full day program focuses on common winter birds and birdfeeding. For more information, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary events schedule.

Feb. 17 ~ Manada Conservancy Volunteer Appreciation Reception
Manada Conservancy Office, Hummelstown, PA
Join Manada Conservancy again this year for a volunteer appreciation reception in the Manada Conservancy office! Light refreshments, conversation, and recognition of our volunteers has become an annual tradition. If you have volunteered for Manada Conservancy, or if you are considering it, come to this open house-style event—meet some of the Board members, and bask in the sunshine of their gratitude. For more information, visit the Manada Conservancy events schedule.

Mar. 2 ~ Hawk Mountain Hike with Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
Meet at 9:00AM at the Visitor Center. 6-mile loop to the Sunset Overlook, North Lookout, East Rocks, River of Rocks, South Lookout. One section of boulder scrambling, several sections of rock-hopping, and generally rough trails with one or two steep ascents/descents make this a moderate to difficult hike, despite the short distance. Bring lunch and fluids. Trail fee applies if you are not a member of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. For more information, visit the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club hiking schedule.

Thanks to Wanamaker's General Store of Kempton!

Wanamaker's General Store (Photo: Nicholas Tonelli)

The Kittatinny Coalition would like to send a quick thanks to Wanamaker's General Store of Kempton, PA for letting us host our Mini-Grant Committee meeting there last month!   Wanamakers is an old-fashioned, family-owned general store in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. They offer everything from groceries and homemade deli items to locally produced crafts and made-in-the-USA toys.


Wanamakers is located within minutes of the Appalachian Trail, Hawk Mountain Bird Sanctuary, Pamela's Forget-Me-Not B&B, The Country Seat, and WK&S Steam Railroad which even stops at the store on summer weekends.  Appalachian Trail thru-hikers have also been known to hitch a ride from Hawk Mountain for a resupply!

Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Conservancy License Plate

Virginia's Appalachian Trail License Plate 

Calling all Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail enthusiasts!  Many of you know that we have been trying for a number of years to get a specialty license plate to support ATC here in PA. We're finally making progress. Representative Adolph Delaware County District 165 has drafted the bill to allow the creation of the plate.

We REALLY need you help on this and ask that you contact your state representative and ask them to consider signing on as a co-sponsor to Representative Adolph's bill. You can find rep's name and contact info by selecting your county, then your municipality here:
http://www.house.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#county 

North Carolina's A.T. License Plate

ATC has benefited greatly from similar license plate efforts in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, PLEASE take a moment to contact your state legislator and ask him or her to co-sponsor rep Adolph's bill! Thanks!


Below is a copy of the memo that was sent to each state house rep:

Posted:	February 1, 2013 09:30 AM
From:	Representative William Adolph
To:	All House members
Subject:	Appalachian Trail Conservancy Special Registration Plate
Memo:	Next week I will be introducing legislation that will establish a unique and distinctive Special Registration Plate in support of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. This legislation also provides for organization registration plate application forms to be exclusively distributed directly from the organization that benefits from the registration plate. This provision will allow each organization to administer and benefit directly from any fee charged to obtain a special registration plate from that organization. Additionally, for the first time, an individual may have that special organizational registration plate personalized. The fee to PennDOT for the plate will be $20.00 and the fee to have the same personalized will be $300.00. There will be no cost to the Motor License Fund and the fee established to personalize the plate may generate additional monies for the MLF. Please join me in this effort to help the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Upcoming events on the Kittatinny!

Heart for Hawks, Hikes and History!  Much happening on and around the Ridge.

• Feb. 9 & 10 ~ Heart for Hawks at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
  Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA...Children ages 12 and under who bring a valentine to post in the Visitor Center receive free trail admission. Hawk or nature-themed valentines encouraged. For more information, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary events schedule.
  
   
• Feb. 9 ~ Eagle Watching Weekend with Jacobsburg Env. Ed. Center
  Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, PA...The upper Delaware River is one of the best places in the east to observe wintering Bald Eagles. Join us for these trips as we venture up along the river in the scenic Delaware Water Gap Natiomal Recreation Area from Arrow Island to Milford in search of these magnificent birds. The rare Golden Eagle has also been observed on these trips in the past. Other possibilities along the river include waterfowl such as Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads and Common Mergansers. This is a great opportunity for photographers. For more information, visit the DCNR event listing.
  
  
• Feb. 9 ~ 7th Annual Blue Mountain Winter Ramble
  Sherwood Drive Appalachian Trail parking area, Middlesex Township, PA...We'll start on the A.T. at Sherwood Drive, then climb Blue Mtn. at an easy pace, continuing on the Darlington Trail for a short distance, then turn around and return. With the leaves off the trees, we'll have spectacular views of the Cumberland Valley and southern Perry County. We'll stop for a snack break at the Darlington Shelter. If snow or ice makes the trip up Blue Mtn. too difficult, we'll choose an easier hike on the A.T. instead. For more information, visit Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club's Hiking and Activity schedule.
  
  
• Feb. 10 ~ A Decade of Research at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge
  Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, PA...Dr. Diane Husic, Chair of Biological Sciences at Moravian College, is a member of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center Board of Directors and serves as our volunteer Director of Research. Here she will talk about the research that has been conducted at the center in the past ten years and give us some hints about what research may be undertaken in the future. For more information, visit the Lehigh Gap Nature Center events schedule.
  
  
• Feb. 12 ~ Wildwood Winter Lecture Series: The First Frontier
  Wildwood Lake Park, Harrisburg, PA...Join Scott Weidensaul, author of the new book The First Frontier, for an exploration of this older, wilder, darker period on Eastern history, when the land between the Atlantic and the Appalachians was contested ground – fought over by people who, despite differences of race, birth and language, considered it theirs, and worth dying for. For more information, visit the Wildwood Park events schedule.

Join us for the second Kittatinny Science Summit on February 27

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  9:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, PA ~ RSVP

Please join us for the second Kittatinny Science and Research Summit to be held at Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, PA on February 27.

This year’s summit will focus on “Closing the Gaps.” We will learn about ongoing research and monitoring projects that are gathering information that is important to conservation of the Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor. And we will have several breakout sessions to help us plan new initiatives for research and monitoring that gather critical information for conservation.  Learn more about last year's Summit.

Diane Husic of Moravian College and Lehigh Gap Nature Center will moderate the Summit. Presenters will include:

• Kim McKee, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Marian Orlouski, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Elizabeth Crisfield, Penn State University
• Terry Master, East Stroudsburg University
• Dave Mitchell, PA Game Commission

In addition, there will be several breakout sessions including:

• Planning for an all Kittatinny Ridge breeding bird survey
• Addressing threats and planning for habitat quality assessment along the ridge and corridor

These sessions will focus on concrete ways to gather information to fill in data gaps in our knowledge of the Ridge to inform our conservation work.

We will conclude with ideas for moving forward with monitoring and filling in the data gaps, plus concrete methods for addressing some of the threats, such as right-of-way management.

Lunch will be provided to summit participants. A final, detailed agenda will be sent to participants prior to the summit. Registration will be at 9:30 a.m with the Summit beginning at 9:45.

The Summit is part of the work of the Kittatinny Coalition (http://kittatinnyridge.org/) and is funded in part by PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lehigh Valley Greenway, Conservation Landscape Initiative.

For directions to Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s Osprey House, see http://lgnc.org/maps-directions.

PLEASE RSVP TO danlgnc@ptd.net BY FEBRUARY 20. THANKS.

"Schuylkill on the Move" posts 2013 Hike and Walk Schedule

Schuylkillon the Move has posted its 2013 guided hike and walk schedule with activities taking place across the public lands and trails of Schuylkill County.  Events such as the Swatara Soiree (Sept. 14th) and Pinnacle Trek (Oct. 19th) feature popular recreation and scenic viewing areas along the Kittatinny Ridge and Appalachian Trail.  Mark your calendars to explore the Kittatinny with knowledgable hike guides in 2013!  Or use this list to inspire and plan your next foray into the outdoors.  The Kittatinny Coalition web site also features a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities across the Ridge on the Recreation page.

Schuylkill on the Move encourages people to take positive steps toward good health and advocates for more walkable communities. SOM is a project of Schuylkill County’s VISION in partnership with the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau. The SchuylkillConservation District partners with SOM as it promotes connections with our environment. Info: “Porcupine Pat”: porcupinepat@yahoo.com or 570.622.4124 x 113

2013 Duncannon A.T. Community Calendars Available

Did you attend Duncannon's June 2, 2012 Appalachian Trail Community designation festival? If so, or if you have an affinity for this historic trail town where the Appalachian Trail meets the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers, check out the 2013 Calendar made available by Duncannon's A.T. Community Committee (DATC).   The day's events featured a variety of local hikes, educational programming, non-profit and artisan vendors, musical performances, the unveiling of the post-card art contest winners and the official designation ceremony.

Mail checks to 2 Ann St., Duncannon, PA 17020.  Make payable to DATC Advisory Committee.  For pick up in Duncannon, contact Mary "Trailangelmary" Parry at trailangelmary@gmail.com or call 717-834-4706.

Let's Talk about Recreation and Conservation in Northern Lebanon County! Public Meeting Jan 31st.

Calling all trail and outdoor recreation enthusiasts in Northern Lebanon County!   The area boasts many natural, historic and recreational resources including the Kittatinny Ridge, 18 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Swatara State Park,Swatara Creek Water Trail, and many more.  Join the Northern Lebanon Recreation and Parks Commission in a conversation on Jan. 31st.  Your input is needed!

Upcoming Events along the Kittatinny

Much to do along the Ridge and Corridor during the winter!  There are many hikes, festivals and educational opportunities coming up:

Jan. 19 ~ Woodpeckers of Jacobsburg
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Wind Gap, PA
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center has some of the best woodpecker habitat in the Lehigh Valley area. Join us as we search the park for local species of woodpeckers like the elusive Pileated Woodpecker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. For more information, visit the DCNR event listing.

Jan. 19 ~ Wild About Winter at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
Full day event includes free information about winter wildlife, a live raptor program, children's activity and winter walk. For more information, visit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary's event schedule.

Jan. 19 ~ Darlington Trail Hike with SATC: Tower Road to Lamb's Gap
Tower Road, State Game Lands parking area, Hamden, PA
Hike the eastern half of the Darlington Trail (east to west) starting at Tower Road through Bryson Hollow followed by an easy climb to the ridge of Blue Mountain and ending at Lamb's Gap PA Game Lands parking lot. Optional post-hike dinner at the Waterfront Bar & Grill in nearby Marysville. For more information or to register with hike leader, visit Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club's Hiking and Activity Schedule.

Jan. 25 ~ Night Hike to Auburn Overlook with BMECC
Mountain Road, Tilden Township, PA
Meet at 7:00PM at the parking lot on Mountain Road in Tilden Township for SGL110. GPS coordinates for start are N 40.55202, W 076.054291. Bring flashlights, preferably with red or green bulbs. This is up the mountain from the base, about a 3 mile hike which is not family friendly. For more information or to contact hike leader, visit Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club's Hike & Activity Schedule.

Jan. 29 ~ Lecture Series - The Coal Mining Patch Towns of Stony Valley
Wildwood Lake Park, Harrisburg, PA
Explore the former coal mining towns of Stony Valley with Brandy M. Watts Martin in a program sponsored by the Friends of Wildwood. During the mid-1800s, the communities of Rattling Run in Dauphin County and Yellow Springs, Rausch Gap and Gold Mine in Lebanon County were thriving industrial towns. Explore their ruins with Brandy, who has been studying the area since, as a third grader, she learned that a hotel once existed in the briar-covered ruins of Cold Springs. For more information, visit the Wildwood Lake Park events schedule.

Feb 10. ~ A Decade of Research at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge
Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, PA
Dr. Diane Husic, Chair of Biological Sciences at Moravian College, is a member of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center Board of Directors and serves as our volunteer Director of Research. Here she will talk about the research that has been conducted at the center in the past ten years and give us some hints about what research may be undertaken in the future. For more information, visit the Lehigh Gap Nature Center events schedule.

A Longer View: The Kittatinny-Shawangunk Raptor Migration Corridor

Kittatinny-Shawangunk Ridge and Corridor, RaptorCorridor.org

Birds and Appalachian Trail hikers don't stop at state borders!  Zooming out from the Kittatinny Coalition's focus on this treasured landscape in Pennsylvania, the Kittatinny-Shawangunk Ridge and Corridor is a geologic feature and famous raptor fly-way that extends 250 miles across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and parts of New York State.

There are five National Natural Landmarks within the Kittatinny-Shawangunk Ridge and Corridor, as well as numerous historic sites and structures listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The new Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge is located near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania, and the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge is located in close proximity to the northern Shawangunk Mountains of New York State. The Nature Conservancy designated the Shawangunk Ridge of New York State as one of the “Last Great Places” on the earth. New York State’s Open Space Conservation Plan has listed the Shawangunk Ridge as a top “Priority Conservation Project Area” statewide.

Delaware Water Gap and Farmland, RaptorCorridor.org

A few years ago, a group of conservationists, including many Kittatinny Coalition partners, coordinated a petition the Secretary of the Interior officially to designate it as the Kittatinny-Shawangunk National Raptor Migration Corridor, a designation that would support continued conservation advocacy programs in the corridor, and foster increased coordination, cooperation, and efficiency in enhancing land-use practices that maintain the special character of the area.

To learn more about the Kittatinny-Shawangunk Ridge and Corridor's values and the designation effort, visit:
www.raptorcorridor.org

Blue Mountain High: Winter Hike on the Kittatinny near Lehigh Gap

Winter can afford some beautiful views from the Ridge-top.  A recent 5.3 mile hike along a section of the Appalachian Trail from Little Gap (Blue Mountain Rd.) to Lehigh Gap brought breathtaking vistas north into Carbon County and south into Northampton County, interesting information about the Palmerton Zinc Pile Restoration efforts and of course.. a work-out.  Have you been up on the Ridge in this section?  Parking is available at Little Gap just south of the Blue Mountain Ski Area entrance and at Lehigh Gap on both sides of the river.  Philadelphia Trail Club volunteers maintain this section of the Appalachian Trail.  Check out some of the scenes below!

Trailhead at Little Gap, near Danielsville, PA

Marker for Boundary of State Game Lands along Appalachian Trail

"Resource Island" area along Appalachian Trail, part of Palmerton Zinc Pile Restoration efforts

Looking north over Palmerton Borough from the Kittatinny Ridge

A bird traveling the famous migratory fly-way

Approaching the descent into Lehigh Gap, looking west to Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge