Friends of Blackwater is happy to announce that we are now offering eco-tours of the Allegheny Highlands! We will be leading hikes that will focus on different plants and animals of the region as well as more general ones that will teach you a bit about everything.
Click the link below to send an email to RSVP! (Required!)
Our first tour was a bird & butterfly hike with Aaron on April 22nd, 2022! Aaron’s goal was to help the group locate the rare West Virginia white butterfly and he delivered, stating that it was the most common species seen that day.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
May 21st Birding the Lead Mine Mountain area
Meet at Friends of Blackwater in Thomas at 6:30am or the top of Lead Mine Mountain Road at 6:50am
Leader: Aaron Graham
Join Friends of Blackwater for a morning birdwatching trip starting on Lead Mine Mountain Road which we will transverse several different forest types as we work our way down the mountain. At the top of the road expect birds such as Ruffed Grouse, Canada Warbler, and perhaps a Mourning Warbler, a spot they’ve been in previous years. As we work our way down, we will come upon clear cut habitat that has held Black-billed Cuckoo, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat. The forested areas along the road offer interior forest birds like Hooded Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and at the bottom of the road perhaps a Yellow-throated Warbler. Once we reach the bottom, we can explore Horseshoe Camp and other areas if participants are interested. Most birding will be done by walking along the road at multiple spots.
May 27th An ecotour along the Blackwater Rail Trail in Thomas
Meet at Friends of Blackwater in Thomas at 8am
Leader: Aaron Graham
Join Friends of Blackwater for a morning walk along the rail trail in Thomas where we hope to observe a variety of birds and other wildlife as we learn what our town trail has to offer. On this date there should be a lot of migrant birds around still! Wear hiking attire as we will be walking along the gravel path. We can also make a trip down to Douglas Falls and take in the waterfall. Come out and enjoy the morning with us as we hope to make this a bi-weekly trip to get out into nature in our own town.
May 28th Birding ecotour along Canaan Loop Road
Meet at the Davis Shop ‘n Save at 7:30 am.
Leader: Aaron Graham
On this tour we plan to observe the birds and plant life along and off of this road. We plan to slowly drive around the road making a few spot where we will get out and take a few short hikes to immerse ourselves into the habitat. A few birds we could expect to see include Alder Flycatcher, Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, Red Crossbill, and a variety of warblers such as Magnolia, Blackburnian, and Canada Warbler. If weather allows, we hope to encounter butterflies as temperatures increase. Carpooling is advised and can be organized when we meet up. Proper hiking attire is recommended. Hope to see you out there!
May 28th History Tour Along the Blackwater Rail Trail
Meet at the Buxton & Landstreet Building at 11:00am
Leader: Chuck Nichols
This tour will take place along the Blackwater Rail Trail. Stops will be made at each significant historic area along the trail, focusing on Friends of Blackwater historic signage.
May 28th Carnivorous Plant-Viewing ecotour at Big Run Bog
Meet at the Buxton & Landstreet Building at 12:00 pm.
Leader: Frank Gebhard
On this tour, FOB Project Coordinator, Frank Gebhard will be taking a group out to observe the bizaar, insect-eating carnivorous plants at Big Run Bog. Species we expect to view are purple pitcher plants (which will hopefully be flowering by then) and round-leaved sundews. We will also have the opportunity to see a variety of bird species. We will caravan to the bog from the Buxton & Landstreet building.
June 3rd Butterflying at the Beall Tract
Leader: Aaron Graham
Meet at Friends of Blackwater at 10:30am or at the Beall Tract parking lot off of Cortland Road at 11 am
Join Friends of Blackwater for a trip out to see some the areas butterflies! The old hayfields and wood edges offer excellent pollinator habitat where we will hope to see a variety of Swallowtails, Northern Pearly-eye, Appalachian Brown, Common Ringlet, and if they are on the wing already Harris’s Checkerspot or Silver-bordered Fritillary! We hope for some up-close views of these species on the areas wildflowers and might have the catch to net a few individuals to see them in hand. This site also offers a variety of grassland breeding birds to encounter such as Savannah Sparrows and Northern Harriers. If time allows, we might check some other spots in the valley for butterflies and grab lunch somewhere after. Wear appropriate gear for hiking.
June 4th Butterflying at the Beall Tract
Leader: Aaron Graham
Meet at Friends of Blackwater at 10:30am or at the Beall Tract parking lot off of Cortland Road at 11 am
Join Friends of Blackwater for another trip out to see some the areas butterflies! We are offering this trip along to offer another chance to get put during a great time of the year for local butterflies! The old hayfields and wood edges offer excellent pollinator habitat where we will hope to see a variety of Swallowtails, Northern Pearly-eye, Appalachian Brown, Common Ringlet, and if they are on the wing already Harris’s Checkerspot or Silver-bordered Fritillary! We hope for some up-close views of these species on the areas wildflowers and might have the catch to net a few individuals to see them in hand. This site also offers a variety of grassland breeding birds to encounter such as Savannah Sparrows and Northern Harriers. If time allows, we might check some other spots in the valley for butterflies and grab lunch somewhere after. Wear appropriate gear for hiking.
June 10th Tree Identification along the Blackwater Rail Trail for Kids
Leader: Samantha Miller
Meet at Friends of Blackwater in Thomas at 1:00pm
Join Friends of Blackwater for a short afternoon hike with our Botany Specialist, Samantha Miller. She will be teaching tree identification of the common trees in the area. You will also learn a bit about some other interesting plants that live in the Blackwater Canyon as well as some invasive species that need to go! Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy shoes for the walk. This walk is going to be centered around children but everyone is welcome to come learn!
June 23rd Butterflies and the History of Kempton
Leader: Aaron Graham
Meet at Friends of Blackwater in Thomas at 10 am
Friends of Blackwater is offering a trip to go and explore the North Branch Wetlands in Kempton, Maryland. While out on the site we will join the field crew who is working on the reclamation of these wetlands on one of their butterfly surveys along the wetland. Potential butterfly species that could be seen are Atlantis Fritillary, Appalachian Brown, Black Dash, and Delaware Skipper, all found on this survey route last summer. We hope for good views of the butterflies we can find out here and hope to net a few to offer up close looks. While here, the field crew will explain what they are doing to help reclaim this wetland complex from the effects of previous coal mining operations and how they effected the area long term and how they are still affecting the wetlands today. Wear appropriate attire and sunscreen to be out walking along the gravel road here.
June 25th Bird Walk at Blackwater Falls State Park
Leader: Aaron Graham
Meet at Friends of Blackwater in Thomas at 7:30am or the lodge at Blackwater Falls State Park at 8am
Join the Friends of Blackwater for a bird walk through the mixed northern forests at Blackwater Falls State Park. Here we hope to find such species of birds such as Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Veery, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Red Crossbill in the spruce forests. While here we can check out the waterfalls and overlooks in the park as well! Wear appropriate attire to be out hiking trails. We hope that you will join us!
June 25th Butterflying at Blackwater Falls State Park
Leader: Aaron Graham
Meet at the Blackwater Falls State Park Nature Center at 11am
Join the Friends of Blackwater for a butterflying trip around Blackwater Falls State Park where we hope to encounter a variety of butterfly species such as swallowtails, fritillaries, Eastern-tailed Blue, azures, skippers, and other species around the open areas at Pendleton Lake. After we finish our walk around here, we can do a few other trails around the park where we hope to encounter species of butterfly who are more home in the woods such as Appalachian Brown and Common Wood-Nymph. We hope to have up close views but bringing binoculars and a camera will amplify your viewing experience! Perhaps we can also net a few individuals to offer looks at like that. Wear appropriate attire to be out hiking the trails. We hope you will join us!
