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Join Us for Our Annual Banquet - April 11th!
Join us Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the East Berlin Area Community Center for York Audubon’s Annual Banquet! Doors open at 4:00 PM for the silent auction, 50/50, and quilt raffle, followed by a family-style dinner and a special presentation by Linette Mansberger, “Winging It Near Water,” featuring birds of south central PA’s wetlands and waterways.
This is our major fundraiser supporting programs throughout the year. Advance tickets are $25 (reserve by April 5) or $35 cash at the door. Don’t miss a wonderful evening of food, friends, and birds — get your tickets today!
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Saturday, March 21 21 Pinchot State Park
- Meeting location: Conewago Day Use area off of Alpine Rd. Meet at the wooden pier overlooking the lake (go all the way to the right lakeside of the parking lot as you enter). https://maps.app.goo.gl/AXwwKKVLT1LzFF5p6
- Time: 8:30 to 10:30 am
- Notes: This is a great place to bird anytime of year. We will see birds around the parking lot as well as on the water
All bird walks are free and open to the public. No registration required.
February's Bird Walk Highlights:
This month, we enjoyed a beautiful (and rare) sunny day at Codorus State Park. With much of the water in the area frozen over, the waterfowl were confined to a fairly small area of open water where we found hundreds of ducks consisting of a nice variety of 16 different species! Some of the highlights were Canvasback, Redhead, Common Goldeneye, Pintail, and Ruddy Duck. (Can you spot the Ruddy below?)
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The "Nifty Fifty" Rule: No Spring Cleanup Until 50°F!
To protect your 2026 pollinator population, follow the "Magic 50" Golden Rule: wait to cut back old growth until daytime temperatures are consistently above 50°F for at least seven consecutive days (Usually the last week or two in March). Many native bees overwinter as larvae inside hollow stems, while butterflies and beneficial insects hide in the leaf litter; cleaning up too early removes these "nurseries" and eliminates the primary food source for early-arriving spring birds.
When temperatures finally stabilize, use these bird-friendly cleanup methods:
· The 15-Inch Stubble Rule: Leave 12 to 18 inches of perennial stalks standing to serve as nesting sites for next year’s solitary bees.
· Chop and Drop: Instead of bagging debris, chop stalks into 6-inch pieces to use as "self-mulch." This keeps nutrients on-site and provides cover for ground-foraging birds like Dark-eyed Juncos.
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For March birders in York County, winter isn’t quite over — many waterfowl continue their seasonal movement, making unfrozen lakes, ponds and reservoirs great places to spot ducks, geese and swans as they head northward. Keep an eye on open water at local hotspots like Pinchot Lake, Long Arm Reservoir, Codorus State Park, and listen for the first returning American Woodcock “peent” calls signaling spring’s approach.
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Magee Marsh & Lake Erie Birding Adventure
May 14–17, 2026
Join York Audubon for an unforgettable spring migration experience along Ohio’s Lake Erie shore! Magee Marsh is world-famous for its incredible warbler fallout — with dazzling close-up views and birds everywhere you look. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just learning, this is the perfect place to witness migration at its peak.
Spots fill quickly — don’t miss this spectacular trip!
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Saturday, April 11th from 1pm to 4pm
Get Involved with a Neighboring Volunteer Workday!
Looking for a hands‐on way to give back to nature? Our friends at Lancaster Conservancy are hosting a Volunteer Workday at the Graham Nature Preserve in York County — part of their emerging Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve restoration efforts. Join fellow conservationists as you help remove invasive shrubs and weeds with hand tools, directly contributing to restoring native habitat and protecting biodiversity. All tools and gloves are provided, and the event is suitable for ages 12 and up (with adult accompaniment for minors). It’s a great way to support land stewardship, meet new people, and get outside this season!
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