do you like birds? DCNR Seeks Migration Tracking Assistance | Life

Reprinted from DCNR friendly blog.

Want to know more about the birds you see in each season? Curious about birds and their migratory patterns? Interested in participating in a large regional science project that spans several state parks? Then DCNR has an outdoor contest for you.

Pennsylvania State Parks are already great places for birdwatching. Several state parks are participating this year. Fall 2022 migration summary Compete to see which park compiles the most diverse list of species during the competition.

Let’s take a peek at some beaks

The Connecticut Warbler is notoriously difficult to find due to its low population and preference for dense vegetation.

The Fall Migration Round-Up will run from Saturday, September 24th through Sunday, October 2nd.

Birders of all levels are invited to contribute to the Fall Migration Roundup by visiting some or all participating parks during the competition.

Birders are asked to track the types of birds they see and submit a list eBirdOpens in new window Or a paper checklist at each park office. Specific contest guidelines are provided on the paper checklist.

Binoculars and a field guide are all you really need to participate in a wrap-up survey. Some state parks rent binoculars, birding guides, and offer guided programs to learn about birds.

No birdwatching experience required

Medium-sized coastal bird with long beak among rocks and sand outdoors.

Black-bellied plover seen at the 2020 Fall Migration Roundup at Prince Galitzine State Park.

If you would like to participate and have limited knowledge of birds, DCNR staff can help. Staff encourage you to take pictures of any birds you see, record detailed descriptions, and have an expert help identify them.

Mobile phone apps such as the Merlin and Audubon Society birding apps and bird field guides such as Kauffman, Sibley and Peterson or the National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America can also help identify birds.

Regardless of your birdwatching experience, DCNR encourages everyone to get out and see Pennsylvania’s migratory birds and tally the various species. Each observation is important, whether it’s a cardinal or a rare bird from the west.

State Parks Participating in the Fall Migration Roundup

Philadelphia vireos are only found during migration and do not nest in Pennsylvania.

What began in 2020 as a friendly competition between Bald Eagle State Park and Prince Galitzine State Park to create safe outdoor activities during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this season saw up to 21 Participating in state parks.

state parks participating in Fall 2022 migration summary include:

  • bald eagle
  • black moshannon
  • canoe creek
  • Codrus
  • French Creek
  • kettle creek
  • kings gap
  • Kinzua Bridge
  • Lakawana
  • little buffalo
  • little pine
  • Mount Pisgah
  • Nescopec
  • Norde Forest Environmental Education Center
  • po valley
  • Prince Galitzin
  • Ricketts Glen
  • ridley creek
  • cinema honing
  • white clay creek
  • Yellow Creek

There are no prizes in the contest, but the winning park has more bragging rights than other participating parks.

As an example, 124 species were observed during the 2022 Spring Migration Roundup at Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County. This is the best of the 18 participating state parks.

The DCNR staff who manage the program hope that the competition will help communicate community science, bird species diversity and the joy of birdwatching to visitors.

Birds are increasingly impacted by climate change, habitat loss, invasive species and biodiversity loss. This program helps educate participants and state park visitors about these realities.

In addition, by introducing young people to birds, DCNR hopes to develop the next generation of birders, naturalists and biologists and increase everyone’s appreciation of the natural world.

Mark your calendars!

Warbler seen during spring migration.

Because the contest has played such an important role in attracting visitors and providing a unique and fun outdoor experience, the organizers plan to expand the contest to all state parks over the next few years to ensure the wide variety of birds migrating through the state parks. We want to increase the incredible value of monitoring .

For more information on competitions at specific parks, visit Please contact the park directly.

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https://www.northcentralpa.com/life/do-you-like-birds-dcnr-seeks-help-with-migration-tracking/article_a311cb9a-3ab6-11ed-9278-eba3238d7a96.html do you like birds? DCNR Seeks Migration Tracking Assistance | Life

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