November 20, 2009 at 10:33 am (Montour Preserve, birds)
Tags: great horned owls, owls
Explore the natural history and folklore of the great horned owl during a program 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at PPL’s Montour Environmental Preserve.
Jon Beam, PPL senior naturalist, will begin this program with a reading of Jane Yolen’s story book, “Owl Moon.” Afterward explore the life history of great horned owls, how to identify these birds, some of their unique behaviors and what makes them so successful. In addition, discuss other owls found in the area and venture outdoors and try calling a great horned owl and listen for it to call back.
This free program will take place in the Environmental Education Center. For more information, contact the preserve at 570-437-3131 or jdbeam@pplweb.com.
PPL operates the preserve, about four miles northeast of Washingtonville, in conjunction with its Montour power plant in Derry Township.
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November 20, 2009 at 10:25 am (Holtwood, insects)
Tags: honeybees, pollinators
Pollinators are critical to our environment, but European honeybees are disappearing. Learn more about native pollinators, their role in nature and what you can do to help at a program from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at PPL’s Holtwood Environmental Center.
Join Leo Donovall, an entomologist with the state Department of Agriculture, as we discuss a native pollinator census conducted at the Shenk’s Ferry wildflower preserve and ways in which people in the community can get involved.
This program will take place at the Holtwood Environmental Center, 9 New Village Road, Holtwood, PA 17532. For more information, contact Karen Ament at 717-284-6274 or kament@pplweb.com.
The Holtwood Environmental Preserve, in conjunction with PPL’s Holtwood hydroelectric plant, provides lakeside recreational opportunities and facilities for camping, hiking, picnicking, boating, sightseeing, fishing and hunting on more than 5,000 acres on both shores of the lower Susquehanna River in Lancaster and York counties.
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November 20, 2009 at 10:22 am (Brunner Island, nature, observations, power plants)
Tags: wetlands, winter
What is happening at the Brunner Island Wetlands at this time of the year? What animals remain here, and how do they prepare for the winter? Find out during a nature walk from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at PPL’s Brunner Island Wetlands.
Join us as naturalist Jim Smith leads us on a hike around the ponds at the wetlands. Come discover all of the exciting things to make the season come alive and learn how to identify and track the animals that remain.
This program is free. Please dress for outdoor weather and wear proper footwear for cold and wet conditions. We will meet at the Wood Duck Pavilion. Bring binoculars if you have them.
The wetlands entrance is directly across from Gate A on Wago Road. Follow the stone road until you see the sign for Wood Duck Pavilion. The GPS coordinates at the pavilion are N 40 05.755 W 076 42.287.
For additional information contact Karen Ament at 717-284-6274 or kament@pplweb.com, or Jim Smith, 717-284-4458 or jimsmith0212@aol.com.
PPL’s Brunner Island power plant is on the west bank of the Susquehanna River about 15 miles downstream from Harrisburg, Pa., and generates enough power each year for about 1 million households.
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November 18, 2009 at 12:25 pm (Brunner Island, Pennsylvania, birds, observations, power plants)
Tags: bluebirds
These bluebirds were spotted at the bluebird trail located at the Brunner Island wetlands. It is a wonderful time of year to stroll around the ponds and visit this unique habitat. In the background you can see the scrubber tower at the Brunner Island power plant, which removes nearly all of the sulfur dioxide from the emissions of the coal-fired power plant.
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November 17, 2009 at 4:13 pm (Susquehanna Riverlands, observations, wildlife)
Tags: dragonflies, insects
Dragonflies are hawkers, meaning that they prefer to take their prey on the wing. Using their huge, wrap-around eyes and flight skills that would be the envy of the any human fighter pilot, they dart out after any prey they can physically dominate. Then they retire to a convenient roost for a leisurely lunch.
This fellow was taking advantage of an unseasonably warm November afternoon in the Susquehanna Riverlands to hunt some flies. The fact that the perch he chose to rest on while devouring his prey was the leg of a human about 1,000 times his size seemed to bother him not in the least.
He didn’t seem to be bothered by how frayed the edges of my pants were, either (which I kind of didn’t notice until I posted this). I take that fraying as a badge of honor, though. A naturalist should spend enough time outdoors to fray his pants a little. Makes me feel more authentic, somehow. I just have to be careful not to let them get TOO authentic! Note to self: go pants shopping.
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November 9, 2009 at 3:24 pm (Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Riverlands, observations, wildlife)
Tags: snapping turtle
A baby snapping turtle makes its way across the road at the wetlands nature area at the Susquehanna Riverlands.
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November 5, 2009 at 3:33 pm (Susquehanna Riverlands, birds, migration, observations, wildlife)
Tags: bald eagles
While working in the park on Friday I happened to catch sight of a bald eagle in a tree along the canal. My camera not being the best, I knew I had to get closer to get a good shot. But despite their size, bald eagles are somewhat skittish. So, I tried to take a rambling, random-seeming route in the general direction of his perch; all the while being careful to avoid eye contact and still trying to snap a couple pictures on the way. I’m glad no one else was around because I probably looked pretty foolish. And to add insult to injury I was unsuccessful, anyway: the eagle flew away before I got very close at all. The picture above is the best one I got.
Bald eagles are occasional visitors here at the Susquehanna Riverlands, and becoming more frequent. Researchers for www.Hawkcount.org have reported seeing 34 eagles moving past the park along the Susquehanna since August of this year.
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November 2, 2009 at 11:10 am (Susquehanna Riverlands, conservation, education)
Tags: conservation, energy
Come explore some helpful hints to keep your holidays jolly for you, your bills and the Earth from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 14, at PPL’s Susquehanna Energy Information Center.
Join us for a discussion on some easy things you can do to keep your energy bills manageable. For directions, click here.
The Susquehanna Riverlands, along Route 11 about seven miles north of Berwick, is operated by PPL in conjunction with its Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Salem Township. The preserve, encompassing 1,200 acres on both the east and west banks of the Susquehanna River, has been providing the residents of north central Pennsylvania with quality recreation, fishing and environmental education since 1980.
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November 2, 2009 at 11:05 am (Brunner Island, Holtwood, birds, conservation)
Tags: bluebirds, conservation, nest boxes
Once in decline, the Eastern bluebird has made a wonderful comeback thanks to conservation efforts. Take a journey around PPL’s Holtwood Environmental Preserve to check nest boxes and work on maintaining the bluebird trails from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. An additonal program will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. at PPL’s Brunner Island Environmental Preserve.
You’ll also learn how you can put up your own box to attract these beautiful birds to your home.
Please meet at the Holtwood Environmental Center, 9 New Village Road, Holtwood, PA 17532. For directions, click here.
For the Brunner Island program, meet at the Wood Duck Pavilion at the Brunner Island Wetlands. For directions, click here.
The rain date for these events is Sunday, Nov. 15.
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November 2, 2009 at 11:03 am (Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, history)
Tags: art, history, Pennsylvania
Explore how one artist was able to capture a moment in history during this program from 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Lower Mount Bethel Welcome Center.
Andrew Forsythe of Sioux Specialties will lead this discussion of Pennsylvania’s history as seen through Robert Griffing’s artwork, which depicts moments in Pennsylvania and Native American history. A variety of Native American articles will be on display for attendees to learn about the attire and lifestyle of the original inhabitants of Penn’s Woods.
This program is free. The welcome center is located at 7701 Martins Creek-Belvidere Highway. For directions, click here.
The Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, in conjunction with PPL’s Martins Creek and Lower Mount Bethel Energy power plants, offers 215 acres of woodlands and meadows for hiking and exploring and boasts five miles of trails with views of the middle Delaware River, which has been designated by Congress as a Wild and Scenic River.
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