Valley Forge Audubon Society Calendar of Events

Join volunteers from the Valley Forge Audubon Society on the third Saturday of every month, March through October, for a free guided birding tour around the woods and meadows of historic Mill Grove. Our outing leaders will help you learn about the seasonal and month-to-month fluctuations in bird life in a friendly and relaxed setting - perfect for beginning and experienced birders alike.

Please bring binoculars if you have them. Children are always welcome on Valley Forge Audubon Society trips, although those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Some of our route can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, although please note that there are some slopes to navigate. The outings will last 2+ hours. There is a public restroom available inside the museum, which opens at 10 am.

A National Historic Landmark, the 175-acre Mill Grove estate dates from the 1760s and the grounds are now part of the Montgomery County Park system's historic sites. The farmhouse was the first American home of artist and naturalist John James Audubon, and Mill Grove is now home to the John James Audubon Center which is operated by Audubon Mid-Atlantic, a sister organization to Valley Forge Audubon Society.

Please join us to explore one of Delaware County's many beautiful and under-birded parks, the 72-acre Chester Park along the Ridley Creek. Please follow the directions provided.

This outing will mainly take place on a wide, paved trail along a stream. There is also grassy habitat throughout the park which can be explored but only if it has been mowed and agreed upon by all. The forested habitat along the stream is a great place to find migrating warblers along with plenty of other species to enjoy.

The parking lot can easily accommodate a group of birders. To access it, enter from Chestnut Parkway (GPS: VJGG+3FF Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania) and follow the winding road down to the bottom (GPS: VJFF+6W5).

The outing may not take the standard two hours so we have the option to cross over Ridley Creek and visit Taylor Memorial Arboretum to finish up. Taylor is expertly maintained by a groundskeeper and was years ago acquired by Widener University in order to preserve it. This spot has steeper slopes and uneven trails in some spots.

Please bring binoculars if you have them. There are no restrooms available at Chester Park but there may be a restroom at Taylor Memorial Arboretum.

Leader: John Zygmunt

During this outing, we will look for fall migrants as well as year-round resident birds. We will meet at Pavilion A on May Hall Rd, which is before the visitor center. Note that Pavilion A is set in and not well-marked. It is on the right side of the road after Pavilion B. We will be birding the edges along May Hall Rd, along the bridge where we often spot bald eagles, and along the fields at the end of May Hall Rd.

New birders are always welcome at VFAS programs. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Bring binoculars if you have them. The leaders will have one pair of extra binoculars to share. Restrooms are available at Pavilion A.

Guides: Pat & Tony Nastase (patnastase@gmail.com)