Environmental enrichment committee

This past year, the Haycock Historical Society and Haycock resident Marla Burke created the new book “Haycock Township - Through Natures Lens.”  The book contains 72 photographs with write-ups for each photo depicting the beauty that we have locally. It was then decided what better way to honor the beauty in our area then to give back to nature locally. That is when the Environmental Enrichment Committee was created. The committee will oversee the profits from the book to support local groups, organizations and individuals that want to improve the welfare of nature, along with sharing information that may enhance or support nature locally. So far, we have added several Bluebird boxes, an owl box, and a kestrel box to the grounds of the Stokes house near Lake Towhee. We will also be adding some Bluebird houses around the Haycock Community Center. The largest accomplishment to date has been the purchase of an eighteen gourd Purple Martian tower.

On March 24, 2025, Colin Monahan, the gentleman that oversees the Purple Martin towers at Nockamixion State Park, along with his adorable daughter Freyja and friend Michael McCartney, brought the new tower to the marina and began the installation. The hole had to be dug by hand which was no easy task. The base was then placed in the ground and cement was added to secure the structure. Once dried, the large pole was placed onto the base and secured to it. The hooks were added and after Pat DeWald and Marla Burke added numbers and doors to the gourds, they were placed onto the hooks and the dwelling was raised up off the ground. The doors will remain closed until the Purple Martians begin to return so that other types of birds will not try to build a nest in them. Following the migration of the birds from an online app allows them to know when they have arrived in this area. Once they have returned, the doors will be removed and the gourds will start to fill with families. That is when the fun begins. The sounds, the acrobatic flying, the ability to catch food out of the air, are some of the incredible things you can witness. If you get a chance, come down to the marina, take a stroll around the area and see the Purple Martian towers along with the beauty that we are graced with every day.

If you would like to buy a book for yourself or for a gift for someone else, stop by the township building to pick one up. Not only will you see some of the stunningly beautiful moments that have presented themselves in our area, you will also be supporting future moments like those seen in the book to continue to occur.

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, Beautiful Summer.

The Environmental Enrichment Committee.

~Thank You~

On behalf of Hummingbirds, PLEASE use only white sugar when creating nectar for a feeder. No organic or raw or brown sugar. No powered sugar, no honey or molasses or artificial sugar. And no toxic red coloring. Mix 1 part plain white sugar, (which is most like the actual flower nectar,) to 4 parts water. Change the mixture every few days. The use of other types of sugar will cause fungal spores to germinate on the Hummingbirds tongue or in their gullet, making it unable to retract their tongue. They will die because they can no longer feed. If you find that you cannot follow these guidelines, please do not put out any feeders as you will do more harm than good.