The Nature of Delaware

By Joe Sebastiani, Members Program Team Leader

This past Sunday, Dave Pro and I led the Delaware Nature Society’s Teen Naturalist group on a hike called “The Pinnacle”, which is near Hawk Mountain.  This is one of Pennsylvania’s classic hikes and is 8.7 miles long, partly following the Appalachian Trail to the hike’s namesake overlook, then back down the mountain on an old dirt road. 

The Pinnacle is a classic hike near Hamburg, PA which follows the Appalachian Trail up to a mountain ridge to a beautiful overlook.

Six Teen Naturalists attended this hike on what was a cold but beautiful day after the area’s first snow.  Heading north, we discovered that it had snowed a bit more than in Delaware.  The snow clung to the branches of every tree, making a beautiful scene.  Once we got to our hiking destination, we discovered a pristine world of snow from treetops to the ground, and anticipated a beautiful day. 

We reached an overlook called Pulpit Rock, which was a nice view. Further along the ridge, you can see the pinnacle overlook, which is the highlight destination on this hike.

The hike to Pulpit Rock was a steep scramble through boulder fields and rocky trails.  At Pulpit Rock, we could see The Pinnacle overlook in the distance along the ridge, still a few miles away.  Lunch would have to wait until then, but luckily the ridge-top trail was flat and the going was easy.

The Teen Naturalists enjoy lunch at The Pinnacle, one of the best viewpoints along Pennsylvania's section of the Appalachian Trail.

Say hello to our snowman if you decide to hike "The Pinnacle" this winter.

If you know a teenager that would like to join the Delaware Nature Society Teen Naturalists, please get in touch with us.  We meet once per month for nature-based field trips and take a week-long adventure trip every August.

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By Derek Stoner, Family Programs Coordinator

A dusting of snow covers an Oak-leaf Hydrangea leaf at Ashland. Photo by Derek Stoner 12.6.09.

With a bit of cold weather finally arriving in the region, and the persistent precipitation of late, the conditions added up to produce the season’s first snowfall yesterday. 

Starting in early afternoon and lasting until late Saturday, a wet snow(mixed with sleet) coated the landscape in white.  Up to two inches of the “white stuff” fell in northern Delaware.

A Red Fox patiently waits at the snowy edge of a pond this morning. Photo by Derek Stoner 12.6.09

Although the snow may not last long on the ground, it provides a reminder of the winter to come.  The birds visit the feeders a little more often, the squirrels start adding more dry leaves to their nests, and deer feed a little bit more in order to prepare for the next few months of cold.

How much snow will we get this winter in Delaware?  Time will tell.

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By Joe Sebastiani, Members Program Team Leader

The change of season is marked by many things in nature.  Bird migration, and especially raptor migration, ranks as my favorite.  Actually seeing raptors as they head south is a physical rendering of summer changing to fall and then to winter.  Now, the raptor-watching season is officially over, and it is time for the winter season.  What a great raptor migration it has been!  In fact, it has been the best autumn at Ashland Hawk Watch in just about every way. 

Total numbers for the September through November Ashland Hawk Watch.

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John Harrod, Manager, Dupont Environmental Education Center

Rarely a day goes by that I do not see or hear a Belted Kingfisher at the DuPont Environmental Education Center. I usually hear its distinctive call alerting me to its presence before I see it. A good description of the call is provided in the Sibley Guide to Birds… “a long, uneven rattle most similar to the Hairy Woodpecker rattle, but harsher, unsteady and chattering.”

Male Belted Kingfisher by Kevin Cole

Belted kingfishers are found along the shores of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and marshes. It is slightly larger than a pigeon and resembles a very sturdy Blue Jay. The kingfisher has a crest on its head and a white ring around the neck.

 Our frequent visitor has its favorite perch on the boardwalk pier nearest the nature center. It sits and searches for a meal of unsuspecting minnows that it catches with its long, sharp bill. I have also seen it hover and dive to catch fish.  After a kingfisher catches a fish, it flies back to its perch and throws it up into the air to catch and swallow. 

Female Belted Kingfisher by Mike Baird

The female is more brightly colored than the male and has chestnut or brick-red coloring on the sides and across the belly. I have either not had my binoculars handy or been looking into the sun when I have spotted our DEEC kingfisher so I haven’t identified its gender yet. Help me out — stop by to have a look and tell me if it is male or female!

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