Hollow Oak News

 

"I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art

that anybody could ever want to own."

- Andy Warhol
  
October 1, 2013

Volume 2, Number 6

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Nature Notes:  Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
  
Sighting a Great Horned Owl is a terrific experience for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts. A fearsome predator with four inch talons, the Great Horned Owl is the largest owl in North America. Like most raptors, females are larger than males and can weigh up to five pounds. Great Horned Owls are easily identified by their bulky body, broad wings and obvious ear tufts as well as by their orange or yellow eyes. Their call is a series of four to five deep, rapid hoots. Like all owls, the Great Horned Owl has soft, fringed wing feathers which give the owl its hauntingly silent flight.

 

Great Horned Owls reside in a variety of habitats, but most commonly in forests interspersed with open areas such as meadows and fields. These owls are nocturnal and commonly sighted at dusk on tree limbs or fence posts surrounding an open field. With talons strong enough to crush a human forearm, these avid hunters easily take mice, rabbits and even smaller owls such as Eastern Screech Owls. Great Horned Owls are also the only raptors known to regularly hunt skunks, presumably because these birds have an extremely poor sense of smell.

 

Keep your eyes peeled and ears cocked for Great Horned Owls, which have been heard by the Hollow Oak trail crew at Montour Woods Conservation Area.

 

Volunteer Profile: Austin Jepsky

Austin has been a dedicated member of the Hollow Oak trail 
crew since 2013. In addition to regular trail maintenance, he is a varsity member and captain of the Moon High School Cross Country Team and was recently elected Vice-President of student government. Austin always brings an open mind and a great attitude to trail work, whether discussing conservation practices or societal issues with other volunteers. He also has a keen eye for wildlife, having photographed interesting finds at Montour Woods Conservation Area such as our first luna moth, salamanders and other critters.  As a young community leader, Austin brings great energy and stamina to the Hollow Oak volunteer program.

What inspired you to volunteer with Hollow Oak? 

I have always had a deep love for nature, so when I learned I could help contribute to preserving it, I was all in.

 

What do you like most about Hollow Oak? 

My favorite thing about Hollow Oak is the people I get to work with, who are all nice and down to Earth.

 

Any tips for aspiring volunteers, perhaps other students? 

Always keep your eyes peeled for bugs, you don't want to accidentally squish a caterpillar,  and you certainly don't want to walk into a spiderweb.


 

Birding Hike with Three Rivers Birding Club
 

Calling all bird and nature lovers! Have you ever been on a birding hike? Are you itching to get outdoors on a brisk fall morning and learn how to identify our feathered friends?

Then join HOLT and Three Rivers Birding Club on Sunday, November 16 for a fun and informative day of bird watching and hiking the Montour Woods Conservation Area! Be sure to dress for the weather and bring a set of binoculars to catch a glimpse of cardinals, migrating songbirds and more.

 

We will be meeting at 8:00 AM at the Montour Woods Trail Head on Hassam Road.
 

Moon Farmers' Market Community Partners Day

 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

3:00pm-6:00pm

Moon Township Administration Building

1000 Beaver Grade Road

Moon Township, PA 15108

 

Volunteers are needed to help spread the word about Hollow Oak Land Trust at our table at this event. Volunteers will talk with the public about HOLT's mission and conservation areas as well as give away trail maps and wildflower seeds to members of the community. If interested in helping out, please contact HOLT at (412)264-5354 or [email protected]. 

 

Attention Hunters!

 

Hollow Oak is in the process of issuing deer hunting permits for the 2014-2015 season. We are also issuing badges with permits this year, which must be worn in a visible place by all hunters while on Hollow Oak property. 

  • Please note that hunters are not allowed to park on Nike Road next to our Montour Woods Conservation area. 
  •  Permits can be obtained on Mondays 4-7pm and on Tuesdays 9am-noon at our office located at Robin Hill Park. Please bring your hunting license, driving license and vehicle owners card with you to obtain a permit.
  •  A hunting committee was recently formed by the Hollow Oak Land Trust to provide recommendations for our hunting program. This committee is made up of local hunters who are also helping post signage on our properties.

 

OTHER TRAIL USERS - PLEASE NOTE: 

Please remember that non-hunters visiting Hollow Oak properties during hunting season are advised to wear florescent orange or other bright colors. 

 

Upcoming Events - SAVE THESE DATES!    

 

Trick or Trails

Sunday, November 2, 2014

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

 

Join Hollow Oak Land Trust for a day of fun and celebrating our 

8-mile trail system at the Montour Woods Conservation Area. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, and geocaching with a cookout to follow at noon. For more information: [email protected] or (412) 264-5354.

 

 

Annual Meeting - Hollow Oak Land Trust

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

6:30 PM

Mario's Italian Restaurant, Moon Township

 

Please join us for dinner and a special presentation for the annual celebration of

the Hollow Oak Land Trust. Buffet includes soup, salad, Chicken Romano, roasted veggies, antipasti, penne pasta and garlic rolls ($18). RSVP by Friday, October 31: [email protected] or (412) 264-5354.

Attention Cyclists!

 

At the request of Hollow Oak volunteers and members, we are placing orders for logo cycling jerseys, featuring a full length zipper, vented sides and a sharp design. 

To order one or more jerseys at a cost of $50 each, you can use the donation form on our website (www.hollowoak.orgor send a check to the office. Note that the jerseys run small, so we recommend ordering one or two sizes above your usual preference. This order closes October 17, 2014. Men's and Women's sizes S-XXXL are available.
 

 

Hollow Oak Land Trust | PO Box 741 | Coraopolis, PA 15108 

(412) 264-5354

 

 

 

 


  
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