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Reflections in Nature: Chimney swift birds are one of Pennsylvania’s latest migrators

Last week Stan Strong of Canton stopped at our home to give me a dead chimney swift, which was in a mummified state. Strong told me that he found the bird lying on his cellar floor. He thought the bird had flown down the chimney and was unable to fly out. Since the bird was in a zip lock freezer bag, I decided to put it in our freezer until I could get in touch with our local game warden. I was heading down the cellar steps when I had a flashback to a day many years ago. Mary Alice was getting something from the freezer and left out a very loud scream. After the scream, I heard my ...

Birding out of country allows for unique sightings

As a birder in New Jersey, I rarely have to travel outside the boundaries of my state to see amazing birds. Bird habitats of all kinds are within a two-hour drive of my home in central New Jersey. I have a network of local friends and contacts who let me know when something cool is ...

Time of year for antler shed gathering

While it might not be a winter Olympic sport, a winter activity that interests some nature lovers and sportsmen in many parts of the country, including our area: searching the woods for antler sheds. Late February and March mark white-tailed deer season for shedding their antlers. Don’t ...

What do northern pike eat?

As predators pike are opportunistic feeders, taking a bite at anything that presents itself. That being said, they do have a preferred diet. Furthermore, this diet varies throughout their life cycle and at different points in the season. Understanding what northern pike prefer to eat, and when it changes, will let you target them more successfully all year long, season after season. As mentioned before, the northern pike is a predator from the time it is born. However although an adult pike may attack and eat almost anything, younger fish are restricted by their own size and hunting ...

Program on effective fly patterns compared to what trout eat presented by Trout Unlimited

We tie a fly to our leader and proceed to fish and that’s OK. But have you ever been curious enough to wonder how our flies compare to what trout actually eat, or what may trigger a trout to take our fly? The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited presents “How do effective fly patterns really compare to what trout eat” on Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church at 807 W. Fourth Street in Williamsport. Parking and entrance to the church meeting room is at the rear of the building with access off of Campbell Street. We will dive into comparisons ...

Outdoor community calendar for Week of March 31

JOY TO THE EARTH FAMILY FUN WHERE: Selinsgrove Commons (2 N. Market Street, Selinsgrove) WHEN: Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. NOTES: Children and adults alike can share the excitement at the fifth annual “Joy to the Earth” celebration in honor of Earth moth. The Susquehanna Valley Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Education hosts this free event on April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Selinsgrove Commons. Enjoy live music, hands-on activities and critters from worms to fish, educational exhibits and more. BACKPACKING 101 WORKSHOP WHERE: Rider Park WHEN: Sunday, ...