As my last day as a spring Environmental Education intern at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center drew near, I took some time to reflect on my different adventures and experiences this spring season. The center may be closed to the public while undergoing a major renovation project but that certainly did not hinder the opportunities, adventures…
The Naturalist Notebook
Welcome to the Shaver’s Creek blog! The entries here are posted by staff, interns, and volunteers, and aim to keep you informed about the programs, updates, and natural history happenings here at the Creek. Enjoy!
A recap of this year’s birding big day A little bit of rain and cold can’t stop the incredible event that is the Birding Cup. Not even close. Over a hundred people took to the forests, fields, lakes, rivers, and wetlands of central Pennsylvania with binoculars in hand, some even insisting on traveling by bike or…
Every year, passionate birders gather for one of the highlights of spring: Birding Cup. As bird migration peaks here in central Pennsylvania, over 20 teams will flock to forests, fields, meadows, wetlands, lakes, and all other varieties of habitat to find as many bird species as possible. Now in it’s 28th year, the Birding Cup…
Late March and early April mark the beginning migratory flights of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) returning to their North American breeding grounds. The hawk watchers at Tussey Mountain start to see kestrels as early as the last week in March. Some of the kestrels passing over Tussey Mountain could find themselves in Quebec or Ontario…
Shaver’s Creek is undeniably a community of bird lovers. Tales of unique birds and first of the year sightings spread among staff, volunteers, and visitors like wildfire. Because we are birders it is important for us to support the conservation of these animals. As environmental educators, we try to do that in a variety of…
On a rainy night on the first of March, a large mole salamander has emerged from the ground after spending almost the entire year just beneath the surface of the earth. This amphibian, of the mole salamander family, is called a spotted salamander. He is preparing to begin his journey to a very special place.…
A Recap of the Fall 2016 Monarch Migration in Central Pennsylvania. Every spring and fall an amazing occurrence in the animal kingdom takes place: migration. Bird enthusiasts from all around the world flock together to feast their eyes upon the thousands of bird species that travel south to warmer climates in the fall, and sojourn…
Autumn is the time of Pennsylvania’s greatest watercolor. A whirlwind of colors sweep the landscape for a brief amount of time before the landscape takes a great plunge into winter. It is the last breath and a splendid farewell for all of the insects and many animal friends until we meet them again in the…
This post was originally written at the end of the summer season. As the summer is winding down, I have taken the time to reflect on my experiences as an intern at Shaver’s Creek. When I first got here I was super excited to start my journey working with raptors, learning about the summer camps…
It was 12 a.m. on the cloudy morning of October 9th as I stumbled through the darkness to find my way to Loon’s Lookout. The only source of light was coming from the Shaver’s Creek parking lot and the cabin lights across Lake Perez at the Civil Engineering Lodge. As I approached the lookout I…