Birds and Brew event returns to Hawks Mountain

The highly popular Birds and Brew conservation fundraiser will return to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Saturday, Aug. 8, from 5-8 p.m. There are unlimited beverage samples from regional breweries and wineries, live music by the band Six to Midnight, a buffet, and live raptors.

Ticket prices are $67.30 for general admission and $36.70 for designated drivers or those younger than 21. Ticket prices will increase after July 31.

Piping plover returns after 60 years

Absent from Pennsylvania for over 60 years, the federal and state endangered piping plover, a small shorebird, has made a comeback at Presque Isle State Park in Erie. Federal, state and local officials came together at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie for “Pennsylvania Piping Plover Fest,” a celebration of the shorebird’s 10 consecutive years of nesting in the Commonwealth.

The Presque Isle shoreline is the only breeding habitat for the piping plover in Pennsylvania, however, increased recreational activity throughout the years endangered camouflaged eggs in shallow depressions in the sand. Piping Plovers eventually abandoned Presque Isle by the mid-1950s, like many other nesting sites throughout the Great Lakes.

“Bowhunting” editor Christian Berg is ETO guest

“Bowhunting” magazine editor Christian Berg is the guest of Republican Herald outdoors editor Doyle Dietz on the Sunday, July 26, edition of “Experience The Outdoors,” winner of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association awards for best outdoors radio program. Air times are: 7-7:30 a.m., AM 1410 WLSH; 8-8:30 a.m., Sunny 1100 WGPA; 9-9:30 a.m., Magic 105.5-FM.; and downloaded on wmgh.com.

Education

Schuylkill Conservation District Wildlife Day Camps: August 10-12, 9:30-11 a.m., ages 6-10, The Island, Schuylkill Haven; August 10-12, 1-2:30 p.m., ages 6-10, Albright’s Woods, Orwigsburg’ for information contact “Porcupine Pat” at porcupinepat@yahoo.com or 570-391-3326.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Course: All first-time hunters, age 12 and older, is available online and for future schedules and registration for in-person classes go to www.pgc.pa.gov.

Hikes

Sunday Aug. 9, 2-3:30 p.m.: “Mushrooms in the Hollow”  an easy walk around Frog Hollow searching for mushrooms and signs of the old homestead, meets in Frog Hollow Parking Lot, children and dogs welcome, led by Hemlock Hannah, 1-2 miles, easy.

Monday Aug. 17, 10-11 a.m.: “Toddlers and Tikes Hike,”  slow walk designed specifically for the youngest nature lovers, level, paved trail is suitable for strollers or walkers, meets at JFK parking lot near basketball courts/trail entrance, dogs welcome, led by Hemlock Hannah, 0.5 mile, extra easy.

Today’s events

Gunmakers Fair at Kempton: Kempton Community Center. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; For information go to www.gunmakersfair.com or www.facebook.com/gunmakersfairkempton.

“Summer Foraging Walk,” 2-4 p.m.: Meets at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park Waterfall Pavilion parking lot; 2 miles, easy, may take longer because many stops for observing, bring dogs and children at your own discretion.

This week’s events

Monday: Second round of antlerless deer licenses go on sale beginning at 8 a.m.

Thursday: Trap, 5-6 p.m., youth; 6-9 p.m., adult, Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg; email grsmmyminch@gmail.com for information.

Saturday: Dragonfly and Damselfly Identification and Natural History for Beginners, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, $85 for members and students, $100 nonmembers, morning workshop features lecture by Dr. Todd Underwood, hands-on identification at Hawk Mountain’s ponds and an afternoon field trip to the Kernsville Dam Recreation Area.

-Compiled by Doyle Dietz