Spring has finally arrived! It has brought with it renewed activity of both people and animals - anglers after trout, amphibians on the move, and outdoor enthusiasts breaking out the warm weather gear. Whatever your pursuits, you can cure your spring fever with any number of outdoor activities at Promised Land State Park.
Mountains of snow have melted and left behind large vernal pools, a welcome haven for emerging frogs and salamanders. These creatures hibernate through the long winter months deep in the frozen mud and under rocks and logs. Warmer temperatures have thawed their winter retreat and they are beginning to emerge and look for mates. Perhaps you have heard the more vocal of these amphibians - the spring peeper. Touted as the smallest, but loudest frog of our area, the peeper measures only I inch long. It is able to distend its throat to form a large "bubble" - almost doubling its size - thus producing a larger sound. This high-pitched whistle, bird-like in quality, is made only by the male in order to attract a female. Other frogs follow in their courtship behavior, making their distinctive sounds when temperatures reach the appropriate mark. Spring peepers emerge early (as soon as late March) but remain vocal until the end of spring - when the vernal pools have dried up and breeding is no longer possible.
Wildlife observers are not only keeping an ear cocked to the wetlands, but they also have their eyes glued to the forest floor for signs of spring wildflowers. Longer daylight hours and thawing ground allow seeds from last year to germinate into the showy beauties of spring. Perhaps as you wander through the woods the first flower you may notice is hepatica. A member of the buttercup family, its five to twelve sepals range in color from white to pale lavender or even deep blue. Another early spring flower is the trout lily, which blooms between March and June. This bright yellow lily is named for the similarity of the markings on its leaves to those on brown or brook trout. Of course there are several other wildflowers popping up at this time of year; don’t forget the field guide when you venture outside this spring.
Your first outing may have been the opening day of trout season. April 14 dawned sunny and windy; anglers bundled up to throw the first cast at 8 AM. Brook trout had been stocked prior to that day and an additional 25(X) were placed in the Lower Lake the week following Opening Day. The season remains open in Promised Land through midnight December 31. A fall stocking is also expected, providing ample opportunities to catch your daily limit. Refer to the Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws for details.
As in recent years, trout season was greeted by the presence of our resident bald eagles. Both adults were observed opening day - primarily on their nest or within the immediate vicinity. Once again we believe they are incubating eggs which should hatch shortly after this article is submitted. We thank all park visitors for respecting the posted area and reporting any notable activity involving the eagles to the park office. Please keep in mind that the Wildlife Observation Station provides an ideal location for viewing the birds. Here visitors can set up spotting scopes and use binoculars without fear of vehicle traffic or adding to the soil compaction around the boat launch. Thank you for helping us to protect all park resources while providing for visitor safety.
Birds are not the only animals born in the spring. Mammals also bear their young when temperatures are mild and food sources are more abundant. One example is the whitetail deer. Fawns, like all newborns are very dependent on their mother for food and protection. Deer have an unusual way of protecting their offspring by leaving them alone for
hours at a time. Predators are typically drawn to newborn animals by scent, but since fawns have no scent at birth, Mom will leave and draw attention away from that area. People should not approach the solitary fawns; a human presence may be seen as a threat and could cause a doe to leave her young for extended periods of time. Please do not approach or handle any fawn, the doe will return when no one is watching.
Many park visitors have questions about wildlife and love to learn more about the world we live in. Environmental programs are conducted from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day in several park areas. Topics vary from Wetlands to Wildlife and hands-on activities like canoe excursions, stream safaris, and interpretive hikes. These programs are announced in local news releases, posted on park bulletin boards and in the park office. You can also find information listed on the DCNR website www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/calendar for all scheduled programs taking place in parks across the Commonwealth.
Already you can mark your calendar for two dates pertaining to Promised Land State Park. May 19 is the annual Children’s Fishing Derby sponsored by the Promised Land Sportsman’s Association. This event takes place just below Promised Land Lake Spillway and is open to children age 16 and younger. The second date to take note of is the American Red Cross 5KJIOK Run/Walk. It will take place on Saturday. June 9 with registration starting at 8:(X) AM in the Day Use area. Booklets highlighting the day’s events are available through the Red Cross and at the park office. For more information, contact the Red Cross Office at (570) 253-2310 or 296-5229.
Warm weather not only brings organized programming, but also the opportunity for swimming, camping and boating. Main Beach and Pickerel Point Beach will be open beginning Friday, May 25. The open swim policy is in effect at both beaches from 8 AM to sunset. When scheduled, lifeguards will be at the Main Beach from II AM to 7 PM. Campgrounds are also opening with a range of amenities from pit toilets to shower houses and electrical hook-ups. Stop by the park office to register for a site. And if you wish to see the park from a different perspective, drop by the Boat Concession and rent a rowboat, canoe or kayak.
After a long, snowy winter, warm temperatures and emerging wildlife are a welcome sight. Listen to a chorus of frogs, dip a canoe paddle in our calm waters, or set up a tent and roast some marshmallows. Whether your preferred activity is on land or water, come on out to Promised Land. Don’t miss a day of the adventure. See you at the park!
