Help the John James Audubon Center! Help this non-profit organization update their birding needs. At the store, just purchase an item on their list and we will deliver it for you. Or just put money on their gift card at the store and they can buy what they need. Ask at the store for more information.
December 2024
December 11 - 11 AM to 6 PM Rich Moncrief will join us in the store after the bird walk to discuss optics. Sale continues with 15% off Zeiss products and a free gift with a Zeiss purchase.
December 11 - 8 AM Rich Moncrief and Chris Wells will lead a bird walk a Upper Schuylkill Valley Park in Royersford. Meet in the parking lot.
December 10 - Rich Moncrief from Carl Zeiss Optics will be in the store from 2 PM - 6 PM to discuss binoculars, spotting scopes, and other birding optics. 15% off Zeiss products and a free gift with a Zeiss purchase.
November 2024
November 29, 30 and Dec. 1 - Fill-a-Bag Sale. In store only. What fits in a WBU bag is 20% off.
November 2 - Ron Richael presents "Attracting Butterflies". He will also talk about his recent book " Pottstown Butterflies" . We have "Pottstown Butterflies" for sale in our store. Ron will be giving away milkweed seeds and passion flower seeds. Refreshments provided.
October 2024
October 5 - 11 AM - John Werth from the Valley Forge Audubon Society presents "Woodpeckers" right here in our store. Great presentation. Refreshments provided.
October 12 - Philadelphia Birding Weekend at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge. Chris Wells and Vince Smith will lead a Bird Walk at 8 am.
October 13 - "Walk with a Ranger" Evansburg State Park. 9-1030 AM
September 2024
September 21 - Bird Walk led by Chris Wells and John Werth at the John James Audubon Center in Mill Grove, 8 AM
September 29 - John James Audubon Center - 5th Anniversary of the John James Audubon Center and Museum. 10:30 AM. Followed by the JJAC community day at 11AM.
August 2024
August 18 - Valley Forge Audubon Society annual meeting at the John James Audubon Center in Mill Grove. 2 PM
July 2024
July 1 - July 5 Non-profit Paws on Death Row - will be in front of our store from approximately 11 am thru 3 pm. They will distribute information on how they help local animal rescue centers.
July 1 - BOGO Sale on Native Plants. Buy one get one Free!
June 2024
June 16 Bird Walk 8 AM Upper Schuylkill Valley Park. 1615 Black Rock Road, Royersford, PA 19468 Meet in the parking lot. See which birds make the best dads.
May 2024
May 13-17 Non-profit "Paws on Death Row" to be in front of our store in the afternoons to tell you about how they help local animal rescue centers.
May 18 8 AM. Bird Walk at the John James Audubon Center in Mill Grove. Meet in the parking lot at 8 AM. 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA.
May 18 12 noon. Native Plant Garden Tour. Limit 20 people. Sign up in the store or call the store at 484-902-8622 to sign up. We will meet at the store at 11:30 to hand out directions to this private residence to tour their gardens of native plants. Spots available!
April 2024
April 27 11 AM Presentation in our store: "Africa - Pictures, Poems, and Songs". Join Candice Cain, award winning photographer, as she presents pictures from her recent trip to Africa, many of which are in her book "We are Africa."
April 20 8 AM Bird Walk at John James Audubon Center in Mill Grove. Join the Valley Forge Audubon Society as they tour the area and look for migrating birds. 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA.
Great Spots for Birding in Pennsylvania
With its diverse natural scenic places, including vistas, ridges, mountains, and gorges, Pennsylvania is a hot spot for bird watching this time of year, especially raptor viewing.
There are endless viewing opportunities, and here are a few favorites across the state:
Bald Eagle State Park -- Bald Eagle State Park contains diverse habitat that attracts many bird species. The mountain ridges create excellent flyways for migrating birds. Some birds stop at the park to rest and feed during their migration. Beginner and life-long birders find exploring the park with a pair of binoculars a treat no matter what the season.
Blue Knob State Park -- This state park in Bedford County offers spectacular views of the Ridge and Valley Province. Blue Knob is the second highest point in Pennsylvania. Owls, wild turkey, peregrine falcons, hawks, and woodpeckers flourish in this diverse habitat.
Codorus State Park -- The National Audubon Society has designated Codorus State Park as an Important Bird Area. Nearly 240 species of birds have been spotted at this state park. Five miles of trails provide easy access to varied habitats where you could spot waterfowl, osprey, bald eagles, hawks, etc.
Fort Washington State Park -- Beginning in September, you can view hawks from the park’s observation deck. All 16 species of raptors that migrate on the east coast can be seen there.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary – The sanctuary, along the Kittatinny Ridge near Pottsville, is a great option for viewing the migration of raptors. The sanctuary makes available peak migration dates and times, and also provides educational opportunities so you can learn more about raptors.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum-The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is a 1000-acre National Wildlife Refuge spanning Philadelphia and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. Located in the City of Philadelphia and Tinicum Township, the refuge is adjacent to the Philadelphia International Airport.
Norristown Farm Park - Norristown Farm Park is a 690-acre Pennsylvania state park in East Norriton and West Norriton Townships and the Borough of Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is operated in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Parks.
Marsh Creek State Park -Marsh Creek State Park is a 1,705 acres Pennsylvania state park in Upper Uwchlan and Wallace Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is the location of the 535-acre man-made Marsh Creek Lake. With an average depth of 40 feet, the lake is stocked with fish and is a stop for migrating waterfowl.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area -- This Important Bird Area in Lancaster County, owned and managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), is an exceptional location for viewing nesting, migrating, and wintering birds.
Ohiopyle State Park -- Ohiopyle State Park is excellent for bird watching, with a variety of habitats. The Youghiogheny River provides habitat perfect for water-loving birds such as osprey, mergansers, kingfishers, and occasional bald eagles.
Presque Isle State Park -- Presque Isle State Park’s location on the Atlantic Flyway makes it a favorite spot for birds to stop to feed and rest on their migration across Lake Erie:
• Shorebird migration peaks during April and during September
• Warbler migration is observed during mid-May and during September
• Waterfowl migration occurs during March and during late November through December
Samuel S. Lewis State Park -- This state park overlooks the Susquehanna River and offers stunning views. Hike the Hill Top Trail for bird viewing opportunities.
Susquehannock State Park -- Visit Hawk Point and Wissler Run overlooks to view migratory birds, such as bald eagles, osprey, and turkey and black vultures.
Waggoner’s Gap Hawkwatch -- Along the Kittatinny Ridge on the Cumberland-Perry County line, from August 1 through December 31, you can plan to catch a glimpse of hawks at Waggoner’s Gap Hawkwatch. You can watch golden eagles and other birds of prey cruise over a stunning landscape from the wind-swept outcrop at Waggoner’s Gap Hawkwatch.