Montour Preserve Autumn 2011 Newsletter

Autumn Nature Notes
The color change of leaves on deciduous trees is the highlight of October in Pennsylvania. This leaf change creates a visual splendor in Penn’s Woods as trees make the transition to a dormant state for the winter. Each year brings its own unique blend of colors and offers a brilliant end to a long and productive growing season. With over 100 species of trees growing in Penn’s Woods it’s no wonder our forests display such a wonderful variety of colors. This year’s color could be somewhat muted as a result of the July drought and then many cloudy days in September. A week or so of sunny weather in October could bring out the colors.
 
From late October into November, Red-tailed hawks are moving south. Look overhead on a warm autumn day for a “kettle” of red-tails circling as they glide on a bubble of rising air. Wild Canada Geese migrate in November (except for resident birds). Witch Hazel blooms near the middle of the month in our forests. Milkweed pods begin to open and spill their silk-stranded seeds to the wind. Waterfowl migration peaks during the late November or early December and Tundra Swans often make a brief appearance.
 
Male Great Horned Owls begin to establish their territories in December. Listen for their “Who’s awake? Me too” calls on frosty nights. Later this month look for the moth-like flight of Short-eared Owls over grassy fields just before sunset. Keep a close look out for a possible Arctic visitor, Snowy Owl. One could show up this winter.
 
Sky Watch
Venus is just visible in the west after sunset but is very low in the sky. Mars rises between 1 and 2 a.m. and is high in the east to southeast sky by dawn. It will be just to the right of a waning crescent moon in the southeast on October 21. Jupiter is low in the east at twilight. By late evening it is higher up and the brightest star-like object in the sky. October’s full moon is on the 11th and the new moon on the 26th.
 
The moon and planets bring a number of pairings and close encounters in November. About one hour after sunset from November 8-11 look for the near to full moon pass by Jupiter in the east. The moon slips lower each night as it rises later after sunset. On the nights of November 26 and 27, a crescent moon appears in the southwest about 30 minutes after sunset near both Mercury and Venus. November’s full moon is on the 10th and the new moon on the 25th.
 
A moon approaching full slips by bright Jupiter from December 6th through the 8th. Look to the east about one-third up above the horizon an hour after sunset. From December 25 through 27, a thin crescent moon appears near Venus in the southeast about an hour after sunset. December’s full moon is on the 10th and the new moon is on the 24th. TheGeminid meteor shower peaks the night of December 13-14 but is washed out somewhat by a waning gibbous moon.
 
October Programs
 
MARVELOUS WILD MUSHROOMS OF PENNSYLVANIA
Saturday, Oct. 1
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Meet in Environmental Education Center
Presented by: Bill Russell, PA mushroom field guide author
 
Prompted by rainy weather, mushrooms seem to pop up overnight in gardens, fields and forests. Some are colorful, others drab. They grow in a variety of fantastic shapes and can be difficult to identify. Bill Russell, author of “Field Guide to Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic,” will help unravel the often confusing world of mushroom identification. The program will begin indoors with a slide show on wild mushrooms of Pennsylvania. Then we’ll head outside to look at mushrooms growing on site.
 
ALL SHOOK UP
Saturday, Oct. 8
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Environmental Education Center
Presented by: Jon D. Beam, Senior Naturalist
 
August’s earthquake that shook the East was a big surprise to most people. Although not as earthquake-prone as California, this is not the first earthquake to hit Pennsylvania. Join us as we explore the cause of earthquakes, the geology of Pennsylvania and the history of earthquakes here in the East. There will be a short discussion of the August quake as well.
 
TURKEY TALK
Ages 8-14
Advanced Registration Required
Saturday, Oct. 22
1:30–3 p.m.
Meet in Environmental Education Center
Presented by: Jon D. Beam, Senior Naturalist, and Amanda Jenkins, Naturalist
 
With Thanksgiving just a month away, let’s take time to celebrate its most popular bird. We’ll explore a little history of wild turkeys in North America, learn how turkeys make their living and how they almost became our national symbol. We’ll also spend some time in a couple of fun turkey activities. Advanced registration is requested. Call the preserve office at 570-437-3131.
 
 
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
Friday, Oct. 28
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Meet in Environmental Education Center
Presented By: Jon D. Beam, Senior Naturalist, and Amanda Jenkins, Naturalist
 
        Halloween is only a few days away. It is a time when things that go bump in the night send chills down our spines. To dispel some Halloween myths and have some fun in the process, we’ll take a walk in the dark and discuss the cultural, natural, and unnatural histories of Halloween. We’ll start with the origin of Halloween and explore bats, spiders, black cats, owls and other hair-raising creatures. We’ll even share a few tales with you along the way. Plan to spend time outdoors. However, if the weather is not cooperative, we will hold the program indoors.
 
 
November Programs
 
YOUNG EXPLORERS: TURKEY TALK
Ages 3-5
Advanced Registration Required
Thursday, Nov. 3
10-11 a.m.
Meet in Environmental Education Center
 
They strut, they gobble, they fed the Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving. Wild turkeys are fascinating birds. Join us to learn about wild turkeys through a story, hands-on activities and a craft project. Please register by calling the preserve office at 570-437-3131.
 
 
AT HOME IN THE WOODS: KEEPING WARM
Saturday, Nov. 5
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Meet in Environmental Education Center
Presented by: Fred Gast, Preserve Supervisor, and Jon Beam, Senior Naturalist
 
Cold winds, rain, snow and cold temperatures can make any outdoor stay uncomfortable this time of year unless you are prepared for the weather conditions. Whether you are hiking, camping, hunting or enjoying another outdoor activity, you should know how to keep warm from the inside out. Join us as we discuss tips and techniques to prepare for and enjoy any fall outing. We’ll cover clothing, food and making fire using old-fashioned as well as more modern methods. We’ll also discuss hypothermia and how to prevent it.
 
WILDLIFE ART EXPO
Saturday, Nov. 12
Noon to 4 p.m.
and
Sunday, Nov. 13
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Environmental Education Center
 
Pennsylvania is the home to a wide variety of wildlife, which in turn is the inspiration to wildlife artists. Join us to enjoy the skill of these artists as they display the wild outdoors captured in photos, oils, pen and ink, and wood. It might be a strutting turkey, a sun-dappled rainbow trout or a white-tailed buck slipping through an autumn forest. It could be a hawk riding a west wind or a colorful songbird picking berries from a bush. This is a great opportunity to get a close look at original art, meet the artists behind the creations and pick up a few ideas for your own artistic side.
 
WINGS OVER WATER
Saturday, Nov. 19
9-11 a.m.
Meet in Environmental Education Center
Presented by: Jon D. Beam, Senior Naturalist
 
The annual autumn waterfowl migration is under way. Ducks, geese and other water birds stop at lakes and ponds for a time before moving farther south for the winter. This is a great opportunity to observe migrant species we rarely see at other times of the year. The program will begin indoors with a brief talk and video presentation on the identification of waterfowl. Then we’ll bundle up and go outdoors to observe and identify water birds on the lake at the time. Dress for the weather and plan for some walking. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope and a field guide if you have them.
 
December Programs
WINGS OVER WATER
Saturday, Dec. 3
9-11 a.m.
Meet at Goose Cove Overlook
Presented by: Jon D. Beam, Senior Naturalist
 
The numbers and species of waterfowl moving through during migration can change from day to day, so we’ll have a second look at migrants on Lake Chillisquaque. This is a great opportunity to observe migrant species we rarely see at other times of year. Bundle up to spend time outdoors to observe and identify water birds on the lake. Dress for the weather and plan for some walking. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope and a field guide if you have them.
 
HOOT 'N' HOLLER
Friday, Dec. 9
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Environmental Education Center
Presented by: Jon D. Beam, Senior Naturalist and Amanda Jenkins, Naturalist
 
Owls are creatures of mystery and magic, both feared and revered by ancient cultures. Today these winged hunters of the night are still cloaked in mystery and superstition. Join us to explore the legend, lore and natural history of owls. We'll discuss adaptations, identification and behavior of local species. We’ll spend time indoors, then bundle up and head outside to try our hand at calling an owl. We’ll hoot ‘n’ holler and listen to find out if any owls really do give a hoot. Join us for a fun, family evening. Dress for time outdoors.
 
 
Around the Preserve
Keep in touch with the weekly changes in nature by listening to WVIA-FM & PPL’s “The Nature Notebook” broadcast at 89.9. This fall you can learn about scarlet stags, reverse diets, mob behavior and more. “The Nature Notebook” airs at about 4:57 p.m. Sunday afternoons. Or you can hear broadcasts from the comfort of your computer using the following link: http://www.pplweb.com/community+partners/nature+notebook/broadcasts.htm.
 
Hours for the Visitors Center this fall will be M-F 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekend days when there is a scheduled program. That tends to be most Saturdays until about mid-December. From then until mid-January, the center will be closed weekends and holidays.