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MIFFLINTOWN -- When Chad Kauffman talks about having a few friends fly in for a visit this time of year, he's talking about the fine-feathered variety.
Each spring, billions of birds fly northward, making April and May among the best months to be a birdwatcher.
"Spring migration is the Super Bowl for birders," said the Mifflintown man, who has served as administrator for Juniata County Birding since December 2017.
Dozens of photos are posted on the club's Facebook page. Some are from members who want to share their extraordinary sightings, while others are seeking species information about what they've photographed. The public group has nearly 500 members.
"We wanted to create a group where people can share their sightings, pictures, questions, etc.," Kauffman said. "I am the compiler for bird reports and sightings in the county and also run the Christmas Bird Count and PA Migration count for Juniata. I hope to get more people involved in the county."
Regardless, the photos draw plenty of attention and likes from club members. Some birders, like Kauffman, have species they look for on a regular basis; others just enjoy whatever lands on their backyard feeder.
"One of my personal favorites to see in the spring is the Baltimore Oriole," Kauffman said, referring to the bird, not the Major League Baseball team. Just to clarify, he added, "I do love baseball."
But his passion for birdwatching might be a bit stronger.
"I enjoy all seasons of birding," Kauffman explained. The birds migrating north flew south in the fall and winter months when the temperatures started dipping. Now, they're back, bringing joy to birdwatchers like Kauffman.
Birders in Juniata County are diligent and always on the lookout, spotting a pair of bluebirds at work through an office window and posting a photo on-line.
Another birder captured a flock of more than 20 blue jays in their yard. A visitor from Cumberland County shared there were around 30 jays at his feeder on a recent morning.
And a third said, "We have 18 but they chased all my other birds away. They are pretty though."
Others celebrated with a "Wooo Hooo!" when capturing one of Kauffman's beloved orioles at her Thompsontown feeder. Kauffman identified a red-bellied woodpecker for another birder and shared a photo of a brown thrasher. A few weeks ago, he spotted his first of the year, or "FOY," brown thrasher that "I had in the yard this morning," he said.
Most find some measure of comfort in the fact that spring, well, springs eternal. And where there is spring, there are birds.
Experts offers tips for birdwatching:
• Install a birding app -- There are many available apps to help you identify the species you can expect to see.
• Rely on your senses -- You don't need a fancy pair of binoculars to watch birds, just your eyes and ears. Birds are out in full force whether you are at the park or just looking out your window.
• Be patient -- You might hear a bird, but you can't see it or see one that you can't identify. Don't let that stop you from enjoying the sights and sounds of the migration season.
• Savor every discovery -- Kauffman, who has seen 250 species of birds in Juniata County, still gets excited over every bird he sees, but there's nothing like seeing a new bird for the first time.
• Chronicle your finds -- Once you spot a bird, you want to document it and share the love. E-bird is a global database where you can upload photos and audio recordings.
• Have fun! -- There's no right or wrong way to bird watch. If you've got a smile on your face, you're doing it right.