Wintertime is for the Birds

Pennsylvania’s winters can be wonderful especially if there are blue skies, sunshine, and a few inches of snow. On the other hand, if gray days, minimal sunshine, and drizzly weather persist day after day, the winter doldrums can set in.  There are many ways to counteract these winter blues but one activity that doesn’t require new skis, a YWCA membership, or therapy sessions is to go for a drive around Adams County.  Cruise along roads where there are open fields, fencerows, creek sides, and forest and you will likely spot Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Mockingbirds, or the roadkill cleanup crew of Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures.  Other species not quite as common are Bald Eagles (yes, there are a few nests in the county), Red-headed Woodpeckers, and Belted Kingfishers.   

One of the premier shows for birders during the winter is the appearance of Short-eared Owls.  These birds rely on open fields for their prey of voles and mice. Since these owls are crepuscular hunters, you will want to head out to those open fields late in the afternoon.  While driving to your location, keep your eyes open for American Kestrels, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Horned Larks.  As you scan the fields, a Northern Harrier (a type of hawk) might fool you into thinking that you saw an owl. These two species share the same niche with the harrier hunting more during the day and the owl at dusk, but they can overlap.  A few years ago, I saw a Northern Harrier dive-bomb a flying Short-eared Owl that had a rodent.  The owl dropped its prey, and the harrier caught it in mid-flight!  What a memory! 

These experiences are only possible if a variety of natural habitats exist.  The Land Conservancy of Adams County has preserved 13,275 acres in 29 years. This includes 980 acres along local waterways and 6,800 acres of wildlife habitat. With all this preserved habitat, along with Michaux State Forest, Caledonia State Park, Pennsylvania Game Lands, and the Gettysburg National Military Park, there’s no excuse for the wintertime blues.   

Oh, and for those more interested in mammals, here’s a teaser.  A participant in the Gettysburg Christmas Bird Count, which was on December 16th, photographed a river otter!  What are you waiting for - let’s go for a drive! 

For more information on how you can help birds, visit Cornell Lab of Ornithology at birds.cornell.edu or the National Audubon Society at audubon.org.

Deb Siefken is the Membership Chair of the Land Conservancy and the President of the South Mountain Audubon Society, southmountainaudubon.org.

photo by Loy Elliott