Tuscarora State Park and State Gamelands (2-Feb-2017)

With random snow showers through the day I chose to just do a hike at Tuscarora State Park. I knew I would not find much trash and I didn't know if everything would be covered in snow by the time I was done. 

A few times during the hike the snow was coming down somewhat heavy. Not much was accumulating on the ground though. I stuck to the trails on the back end of the lake and went along the field edges and through one of the old pine groves. 

The rows make it very clear that this isn't a natural pine forest. Pine tree farms are very common in the area and this grove was probably planted well before the state purchased the land. 

Hiking out I passed by a flock of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins off of the trailside. Several times now I have seen these two species flying together. The interesting thing to me is although they seem to go together as a group the two flocks stay separated. The only thing I can think of is that they may feed off of the same food sources and this separation prevents conflict. Has anyone else observed this or know the answer to why they don't seem to mix in together? 

When I approached passed on the trail the majority of Robins moved further away and the Waxwings stuck around.

One of the American Robins. 

This was it at Tuscarora and it was about as much as I anticipated finding. From there I went to a local gamelands for another short hike and to try to pick up a few more items before heading home. 

This winter the Game Commission has done a lot to this gamelands. It may look bad, but this is part of how they manage their lands for game species. This area will either be left to grow in as grassland habitat or it will be planted with feed crops for game species. The areas that are left to grow as grasslands also benefit non-game species as well providing nice field habitats. If you are wondering why there is no snow, the sun did break through for a short time and was enough to melt the open areas like this. 

Like Tuscarora there wasn't much trash at this location. I enjoy areas like this where I can cover a good amount of ground and not find much. 

See my most updated posts on Facebook: Taking Out the Trash in Eastern PA

State Gamelands (12-Feb-2016)

The past couple days I had stuck to hiking sites west of my house and as a result I thought the majority of the area was still coated from the last snowfall. Today, I went not that far south to a gamelands along Beltzville Lake that I had't been to for several years. Not as much snow with some areas like the parking area completely clear. The parking areas edge was like most and there were a lot of bottles around. 

More of the same, plastics and glass. 

This was collected before I left the parking area. I packed it into the back of the car and set out on the trails with an empty pack. 

A flock of American Robins were close by almost the entire time. 

Taking a side trail down to the lake this White-Breasted Nuthatch flew in to check me out. 

This was just above the bank of a small cove in the lake.

The second pile of the day. I don't know what the gray, yellow and blue item is. It could possibly be a part of a boat seat. That was right on the waters edge. 

Before I went home I stopped at one of the State Parks accesses and got to see this Red-Tailed Hawk. On the way out I spotted a second one perched in a nearby where this one landed, probably its mate. With the temperatures as low as they are supposed to be this weekend I doubt I will be taking out any trash. I will be out again as soon as the conditions improve!

You too can help with taking out the trash! If you get out hiking take a grocery bag with you, give it a second use and fill it with trash while you are out! Every bit helps. You can also help contributing to this project here: Help Fund Taking Out the Trash