Valley Forge Audubon Society Calendar of Events

 
 
 

If you are a “morning person” (or even if you are not!) get a fun start to the day with Ridley Creek State Park's naturalist on an early morning birding trip on the back trails of this expansive park.

Beginners and families are welcome to join in the search for resident and migrant birds in the woods, fields, and sky of this 2606-acre park in Delaware County. Some of the trails are uneven and rocky and may be muddy, so good footwear is important. Bring binoculars if you have them; a field guide may also be helpful to bring if you have one.

This program will last approximately 2 hours, and registration is not required. Follow the signs to the Mansion (Park Office) after you enter the park; we will meet at the Mansion's upper parking lot. Portable restrooms are available on site.

 
 
 

This wonderful and under-birded area on the Schuylkill Canal is the second in VFAS's special series of birding at five Montgomery County parks by the end of June. This one definitely triggers our reaction of “How cool is this place!” as it offers birds, beauty, and history with a fully restored, working lock – one of 72 originally built on the canal.

We will bird for about two hours, out and back about 1 mile on the wide, flat, crushed stone Schuylkill East Trail. Early spring may offer sightings of belted kingfishers, common mergansers, yellow-rumped warblers, pileated woodpeckers, and/or other birding treasures.

No prior knowledge of birds or birding is necessary to attend -- beginners are always welcome. And please, bring the kids along - our programs are open to all ages, although children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring binoculars if you have them, and dress for the weather. One porta-potty is located on site.

Note: In good weather, this unpaved path also can accommodate those who have limited mobility or utilize a scooter, walker, or wheelchair – we’d love to have you join us.

How to find us at Lock 60/Schuylkill Canal Park: When heading south on Rte. 29, turn right carefully and immediately before the bridge (Produce Junction will be on your left) onto Towpath Road and follow it back to the lot. PLEASE NOTE: parking is limited so carpooling is recommended if possible.

Co-sponsored by Valley Forge Audubon Society (valleyforgeaudubon.org) and Montgomery County Parks and Recreation (Lock 60 at the Schuylkill Canal Park | Montgomery County, PA - Official Website (montcopa.org)

Guides: Lynn Sowden, Jim Ermer, Connie Stevenson

 
 
 

What is eBird? Why should you use it? How do you use it?

Let us answer those questions for you during this 2-part program explaining how eBird has become a powerful personal tool that birdwatchers can use to keep track of their bird sightings. We will begin with an hour-long classroom session where instructors will help you get started on eBird and go over best practices for using the website and the mobile app. Following that there will be a trip into the field to bird, during which we will practice using eBird for recording our observations.

The classroom portion of this program will take place under an accessible pavilion and will be held rain or shine. If you are planning on using eBird on your phone, please have the mobile app (which is free) downloaded before you arrive. We are expecting to have wifi available during the program, so if you use a laptop you may want to bring that also. You may wish to bring binoculars if you have them for the birding portion of the class, which should also last about an hour (or more if we are having too much fun to stop!)

This program is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome, although children must be accompanied by an adult.

Accessible restrooms are available on site. Meet in the visitor parking lot west of the main entrance.

Instructors: John Mercer of the West Chester Bird Club & Patty Werth of the Valley Forge Audubon Society

 
 
 

The Chester County Parks system has seven wonderful parks which provide excellent birdwatching opportunities. Join us as we explore all seven of the parks, one per month, in 2023.

Our second location is Springton Manor Farm, part preserve and part farm and home to many types of bird-friendly habitats across its 300 acres. Of note here are centuries-old oak and maple trees, and a thriving Purple Martin colony during the summer.

No prior knowledge of birds or birding is necessary to attend. If you are a beginner, join us! Children (accompanied by an adult) are always welcome, too, on our family-friendly field trips.

Bring binoculars if you have them. Our outing will cover about 2 miles on rolling natural surface trails and will last approximately 2-3 hours.
Restrooms are available on site at the Great Barn, where we will meet.

This field trip is a collaboration between Valley Forge Audubon Society, the West Chester Bird Club, and Chester County Parks and Preservation.

Leaders: John Mercer and Patty Werth