Hopefully, everyone had a safe and Happy New Year. The holidays were nice while they lasted but I’m actually sort of glad it’s all over for another 12 months.
The Full Moon this month will be January 26; it is generally called the Full Wolf Moon. Celebrate the first Full Moon of 2013, the Wolf Moon, at Pymatuning, read more below.
Many of the forecasts are predicting a warm-up (thaw) for the upcoming week. The outdoor temperatures could reach as high as fifty degrees by the end of next week.
There are some upcoming events to keep in mind over the next three or four weeks.
Ice Fishing – Weather permitting the popular Canadohta Ice Fishing tournament will be held Feb. 9. It is sponsored by Van Tassel’s Bait Shop located at 36320 Dutch Hill Road. More information here next week, or call the bait shop at 814-694-3474 or Web site www.timberlandbait.com
If the tournament is held on Feb. 9 at Canadohta , then the contest at Conneaut Lake will be held on Feb. 23. If the tournament on Feb. 9 needs to be canceled, the Canadohta make-up date will be Feb. 23 instead.
Maple Syrup – The NW PA Maple Association will hold it’s annual Maple and Tour weekend
March 16 and Sunday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at participating sugar shacks. This is a fun event, entertaining and educational. Generally, the sugar shacks will have free samples and maple products for sale. If your lucky, the sugar shack your visiting will make some Jack Wax. For more information on the maple association and updated information on the Taste and Tour weekend, www.pamaple.o
On the Wild Side
The deer have certainly been moving around at night during the last week or two. The deer tracks are everywhere (no wolf tracks were seen!) The snow, at least in these parts, is almost two feet deep. Consider building a brush pile this winter for wildlife. It’s fun and educational to examine the tracks coming and going from a backyard brush pile.
Here is more information regarding the local Christmas Bird Count at Linesville Dec. 16. There was a good count of various species this year, including the rare Trumpeter Swan. Special thanks to Shawn Collins for the use of his photograph above of a Trumpeter Swan.
The results of a clean-up by high school students at Pymatuning has brought some smiles and likely some happier wildlife. Read about it at Result.
Crawford County Conservation District – Woodcock Creek Nature Center
Seedlings will soon be available to order for spring planting.
Early in the New Year, mid to late January, the Conservation District will release the information about their 34 annual tree seedling sale. It is an important fund raiser for the district and helps to fund the educational programs which are held nearly every week.
A wide range of various native trees and shrubs will be available for property owners who want to enhance their property and help our native wildlife. Once the information is released, it will be posted here or it can be viewed next month at the Conservation Web site, www.crawfordconservation.com
January events:
• “All Aboard for Model Railroading!” Tuesday, January 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Join Tom Collard, veteran model railroader, for an introduction to this interesting hobby. Ages 11 and up.
• “Critters that Go‘Bump’ in the Night,” Tuesday, January 15, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Linda Armstrong, Environmental Education Specialist, Pymatuning State Park, will tell us all about various nocturnal animals and their activities! If there is snow we will also look for tracks around the Nature Center!
• “Beginning Snowshoeing,” Thursday, January 24, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Registration is limited to the first 15 participants…let us know when you call to register whether you have your own snowshoes! The Allegheny College Outing Club will lead this activity. Dress for the weather.
• “Backyard Maple Sugaring,” Tuesday, January 29, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Join Laura Dengler, Crawford Conservation District, and Mark Lewis, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, to learn all the basics of making pure maple syrup in your backyard! Dress for the weather, some activities will be outdoors. Enjoy special treats after the program!
All educational workshops are free and open to the public. Be sure to call ahead and pre-register at 814-763-5269
Pymatuning – The Full Wolf Moon
Enjoy the first Full Moon of 2013 on Saturday January 26 at 5:30 p.m. for a moonlit walk at Pymatuning. Dress for the weather, be sure to bring a flashlight (my thought – take a camera in case there is a wolf on the path) . Meet at the Environmental Classroom.
Some snowshoes are available for those who need a pair. Call the Park Office at 724-932-3142 to reserve a pair and/or to let them to know you’ll be there.
PALMS
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Greg, please include in your blog the 4th Annual Edinboro Maple Festival. The dates for the festival are March 16th and 17th. The maple festival is held concurrently with the Taste and Tour.
I’m still working on getting the final list of events and activities in line but we don know that the festival will be held at the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department’s social hall at 125 Meadville St. Hours will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices are the same $7 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Get a pancake meal that includes farm sausage and locally produced maple syrup. There will be arts and crafts, food vendors and live music all day. We are working on organizing another fun walk/run on Saturday morning and maybe some activity with the local antiques dealers as well.
I will send you an electronic version of our poster when it is avaialble…hopefully within the next couple of weeks.
Thanks for keeping a great blog for those of us that enjoy the outdoors and all activities related to it.
Hope to see you at the maple festival in March.
The 4th Annual Edinboro Maple Festival is sponsored by the Edinboro Area Historical Society. Income derived from the festival supports the society’s Doucette House Museum, local history programs and educational activities.