SINNEMAHONING — September is a perfect time of year to watch wildlife at Sinnemahoning State Park: Birds and butterflies are migrating, elk are bugling, and the trees on the mountains are just beginning to show fall color. Programs this week at the park will help visitors do just that.
Programs this week include:
Homeschool Day: Monarch Butterflies will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. Discover the connection between monarch biology and habitat needs. Catch, tag and release monarch butterflies. The program is open to all students, grades K-12. Pre-registration required. Meet in Wildlife Center Classroom.
Monarch Watch Butterfly Tagging will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday. Not a homeschooler but would love to participate in the Monarch Watch program? Join park staff on Friday afternoon to catch, tag and release monarch butterflies. All ages are welcome. No pre-registration required. Be prepared to walk in fields. Meet in Wildlife Center classroom. This program will be repeated from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 21.
Elk in PA: Understanding Elk Behavior will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday. Mid-September through October is elk mating season in Pennsylvania. This year, learn to read elk behavior by understanding herd dynamics, body language and vocalizations. The event includes a PowerPoint presentation with video and group discussion, and it will be held indoors in the Wildlife Center Classroom.
Elk Watch will happen from 5 p.m. until dark on Saturday. The elk in the park have started bugling. Join park staff and volunteers to try to spot the bull elk in the fields of Sinnemahoning while learning more about these impressive animals. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Meet at the Stevenson Dam Overlook.
Pontoon Boat Tours will take place from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and from noon to 1:15 p.m. Sunday. View herons, kingfishers, turtles, eagles and other wildlife while learning about the aquatic habitats that support them. The program is free, but donations are requested. Group size is limited, and pre-registration is recommended. Meet at the boat launch of the Lake Day Use Area.
To pre-register for a program, or for more information, visit the DCNR Calendar of Events at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov. For assistance with online registration, call the park office 814-647-8401 and dial 0 for the front desk.
Anyone who needs an accommodation to participate in Pennsylvania state park activities due to a disability is asked to contact the park they plan to visit. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.
