Succop hikers can meet Creatures of the Night
PENN TWP — Leaves are falling, the wind is turning colder and birds are leaving, but there's still plenty to see at the Succop Nature Park, 185 W. Airport Road.
Chris Kubiak, the development associate of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and the owner of the Succop Nature Park, said even now “Migrant warblers are gone. The vast majority head south. The few that are left are hardier and coming from Canada.”
“Two species moving through right now are the ruby-crowned kinglet, that's another northern forest species, and the blue-headed viero,” said Kubiak.
He added one bird, the redheaded nuthatch, is making an unexpected appearance in Butler County this fall.
“It probably means its food source in Canada isn't any good. It's moving into our area as a result of the lack of food sources in Canada,” Kubiak said.
Kubiak said a lot of bird species land at the nature park because of the varied habitats it contains.
“It has analogues for pine forest, marshland, meadows, the pond. A lot of migratory species you don't see turn up here,” Kubiak said.
And while the nature park's population of snakes, turtles and frogs are bedding down for a winter's hibernation, the Audubon Society plans to liven things up with its annual “Creatures of the Night” event running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
Kubiak said, “It's one of more popular seasonal programs. It's a non-scary, family-friendly take on Halloween.” The event is geared toward toddlers up to eighth-graders.
He said participants will run into performers costumed as critters such as a horned owl, a bat and other nocturnal creatures in a walk through the grounds.
Kubiak said, “There will be a special event, a real live screech owl, a real creature of the night.”
The owl, Kubiak said, was injured when it was hit by a car and lost a wing.
“Owls hunt in the edges between the road and the tree line. They zero in on prey and can swoop in front of cars and trucks and get whacked,” he said. “Without his wing he wouldn't be able to survive in the wild.”
Ryan Stauffer, naturalist at the nature park, said he will still lead nature walks every Thursday throughout the year.
Stauffer said, “The walk starts at 9 a.m. every Thursday and we walk through the park.”
“These 9 a.m. rambles are hit and miss on what we can see. They last about an hour and cover a half mile,” said Stauffer.
WHAT: Creatures of the Night, family-friendly hike with visits from costumed performers dressed as nocturnal animalsWHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29WHERE: Succop Nature Park, 185 W. Airport Road, Penn TownshipINFO: Register at aswp.org or by calling 412-963-6100
