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emerald
02-23-2008, 20:06
Toward the end of each winter, Pennsylvania birding enthusiasts flock to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=487&q=159288) not far from the A.T. near Kleinfeltersville to view tundra swans and snow geese (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=487&q=161143). Click on the links for more information provided by Pennsylvania Game Commission.

emerald
03-05-2009, 22:32
Today I spent about 2 hours with a group of Nolde EEC, DCNR and PGC folks at Middle Creek WMA birding as dusk approached.

I wasn't dressed as I might have been and wasn't firing on all 8, so I only saw what I saw. We observed one of the bald eagles which are now incubating. In addition, I saw red-tailed hawks, red-winged blackbirds, tundra swans, snow geese, Canada geese, black ducks, mallards, pintails, ring-necked ducks, a common merganser, Carolina chickadees, common crows, bluebirds, a great blue heron and at least 2 short-eared owls (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=486&q=152645).

emerald
03-05-2009, 22:38
PGC's environmental educator told me a free lecture series to be held at the visitor's center would soon be announced. Watch the Middle Creek link above for the schedule. One speaker already booked is Scott Weidensaul (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=762289&postcount=33).

emerald
03-19-2009, 20:31
Much of the waterfowl has now headed north on southerly winds.

The speaker schedule has still not posted. I'll continue to watch for it and post when it's up.

emerald
04-08-2009, 22:41
The schedule (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=487&q=161262) is now up. Linda Ingram's presentation next Thursday looks good to me.:-?:)

emerald
04-15-2009, 19:45
I'm going to Linda's presentation about Patagonia and I don't care if I'm the only person there!:)


I attended and I'm glad I did. Next time I must depart earlier and walk to Willow Point.

Best bird sighting: a pair of tree swallows engaged in courtship by nesting boxes roadside.

emerald
06-11-2009, 01:55
The schedule (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=487&q=161262) is now up.

Click on schedule to view information about films which will start at 2 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

Buster Martin
06-12-2009, 14:24
Since I saw this was bumped yesterday, I figured I'd add to it. I loved going to Middle Creek WMA (I was just there in '08)! I definitely plan on going back to see the birds again. For those that are interested, I have a picture-set up on my site (home page in signature).

Here's the direct link to that set: http://www.bustermartin101.com/middlecreekwma02162008

Keep in mind that these pics were taken with a pocket-size point and shoot digital camera I had just purchased, so I was still getting used to using it for optimum pics...plus it was cold!!!

Buster Martin
06-12-2009, 14:25
Since I saw this was bumped yesterday, I figured I'd add to it. I loved going to Middle Creek WMA (I was just there in '08)! I definitely plan on going back to see the birds again. For those that are interested, I have a picture-set up on my site (home page in signature).

Here's the direct link to that set: http://www.bustermartin101.com/middlecreekwma02162008

Keep in mind that these pics were taken with a pocket-size point and shoot digital camera I had just purchased, so I was still getting used to using it for optimum pics...plus it was cold!!!

Oh, and you can click the pics to see them in a separate window and much larger. Depending on your browser you can then enlarge them to full resolution as well.

emerald
06-12-2009, 17:30
A new Connecting You with Wildlife banner features "Sunrise at SGL 46, Middle Creek" as its background.

Click on any PGC link to have a look for yourself. I like this page (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=486&q=152645), its promise of a new day and a brighter future represented by a rising sun. I'm reminded of my last visit to Middle Creek, the sights I saw and the people whose company I enjoyed.

emerald
06-25-2009, 15:00
Scott Weidensaul (http://www.scottweidensaul.com/writing.html) will speak at Middle Creek's Visitor's Center Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 PM.

emerald
07-22-2009, 22:04
August 7-9, Friday 1-6PM, Saturday 9AM-6PM and Sunday 10AM-5PM.

The 24th Annual Wildlife Art Show will showcase the works of many of Pennsylvania's finest wildlife artists and photographers. Enjoy beautiful wildlife art and images, and spend time with the artists who create them. Consider buying a piece for the wall. Take in the wild beauty of Middle Creek while you're there. You'll be glad you did!

emerald
08-06-2009, 15:55
It begins tomorrow. Those who miss it will need to wait until next year for another opportunity!

emerald
08-08-2009, 15:54
The 24th Annual Wildlife Art Show ends tomorrow. See post #12 for more information.

Wise Old Owl
08-08-2009, 16:31
Thank's Emerald - yes it's great for birding and many field birds and owls are attracted there. Very good experience. Not so good for hiking.

emerald
08-08-2009, 16:59
Not so good for hiking.

Whether or not it's good for hiking depends upon what kind of experience someone seeks. There are a variety of opportunities to observe and learn about wildlife at Middle Creek. I haven't failed to see an endangered species every time I've visited this year and I walk there as much as I desire.

Middle Creek is a wildlife propagation area, staging area for migratory birds and day-use facility with a strong educational emphasis. It offers access to pedestrians consistent with its purpose.

emerald
09-08-2009, 20:10
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=468&q=150307

emerald
09-19-2009, 16:02
I'm somewhat surprised and encouraged by the amount of attention this thread is generating. Since there appears to be an audience, I'll make a point of continuing to add to it, posting trip reports when I visit and reminders of activities when I become aware of them.

If anyone else has Middle Creek trip reports to contribute, don't be bashful, whether they be about birding, hunting, fishing, hiking, a lecture attended or just something that caught your eye at the visitors' center.

emerald
09-19-2009, 16:05
I've pointed out elsewhere, if anyone has never seen a passenger pigeon mount and wishes to see one, PGC does have one on display at Middle Creek. Taking a child to Middle Creek, showing him or her the passenger pigeon and encouraging him or her to do some online reading about them would be a valuable exercise.


The Passenger Pigeon was no mere bird, he was a biological storm. He was the lightning that played between two biotic poles of intolerable intensity: the fat of the land and his own zest for living. Yearly the feathered tempest roared up, down, and across the continent, sucking up the laden fruits of forest and prairie, burning them in a travelling blast of life. Like any other chain reaction, the pigeon could survive no diminution of his own furious intensity. Once the pigeoners had subtracted from his numbers, and once the settlers had chopped gaps in the continuity of his fuel, his flame guttered out with hardly a sputter or even a wisp of smoke.

Aldo Leopold, 1947, On a Monument to the Pigeon

emerald
09-19-2009, 19:35
I thought I'd add a post about Aldo Leopold (http://www.aldoleopold.org/About/leopold_bio.shtml) in the event some readers don't recognize his name. This thread is a fitting place to learn about or recall his contributions to scientific wildlife management.

emerald
02-24-2010, 20:25
This popular activity will be repeated again in March. Transportation provided and registration required. See Nolde's website for more information.

emerald
02-24-2010, 20:30
Seems I need to work on getting some links fixed.:o

Middle Creek home page (http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=613318&mode=2#).

ki0eh
02-24-2010, 21:50
Seems I need to work on getting some links fixed.:o


I had to spend much of a snow day recently de-linking the downlinks I found from SATC's site to dead PGC links. I see the links to specific SGL maps are still dead. :mad: