The Naturalist Notebook

Check out this great article from Grassroots Outdoor Alliance about Appalachian Outdoors, a long-time supporter of Shaver’s Creek: http://shar.es/m5qBC

This past week, Shaver’s Creek interns Lauren Seiler and Danny Hontz regained the title of Trail Steward Champions, but had to wrestle the belts from the previous week’s winners Alyssa Thiel and Lauren Chain (not pictured). Trying hard to keep the peace is Shaver’s Creek Caretaker Brian Sedgwick, the one who deems which interns have…

Trout lily.pdf Download this file My favorite flower Trout Lily is in bloom right now all over our forest here. This verse hangs in my office as well. Mark

A beautiful morning to be on the boardwalk trail with 21 other enthusiastic bird watchers. Highlights include singing brown creeper and blue-headed vireo, as well as good looks at a field sparrow and bluebird taking advantage of what is now “Meadow” Perez. The trail also features a nice assortment of spring ephemerals, many just coming…

At the recent Penn State Student Sustainability Summit, more than 100 Penn State students gave input to develop a Student Sustainability Mission Statement urging the University to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors. They are trying to garner 1,000 signatures by Earth Day (This Thursday!) If you are interested, you can sign today at: http://bit.ly/dkr7SY Here is…

Shaver’s Creek interns Elise, Alyssa and Danny traveled to Corl Street Elementary last week for one of our many yearly Traveling Birds Of Prey shows. The three of them took turns teaching the students all about the adaptations that distinguish owls and hawks, and allow them to survive. They also brought an Eastern screech-owl, barred…

This Earth Day, Let’s Get Smart, Get Healthy, and Get Kids Outside! Join the No Child Left Inside Coalition and Earth Day Network as they call on parents, teachers, and schools across the country to take kids outside to learn on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2010. We all know that Mother…

A rather cold and misty start to the day, but it provided a nice contrast to last week’s warm and clear weather. Highlights for our group of 17 included a pair of fox sparrows, gobbling wild turkeys, and plenty of ruby-crowned kinglets to keep us company. We also observed a pair of bluebirds carrying nesting…

The Creek is crawling with water-loving animals in the month of April!  Pictured first is a Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) on the Boardwalk Trail. This large freshwater turtle may hiss when threatened or approached, and should be regarded with caution. It can easily amputate a finger if handled incorrectly.  Pictured next is a Northern…