Community news from Life at The Woods at Duck Harbor in Equinunk, Pennsylvania. Wildlife advisories, hunting seasons, local events, and announcements for the surrounding Wayne County area. This is an independent community resource, not an official notice board.
Recent Community News
Memorial Day Weekend Is Three Weeks Out. Spring Update for The Woods
By Duck Harbor Community News · May 3, 2026
We're three weeks from Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer season at The Woods. Here's where things stand on the property and what's coming up.
**Conditions on the ground:**
The gravel roads have firmed up nicely after the spring mud. Most of the frost heave has settled. Ditches are running clean. If you've been waiting for the roads to stabilize before bringing up bigger loads, this is the window.
**The pond:**
Duck Harbor Pond is open, stocked, and warming up. Surface temperatures are in the low 50s, which means trout fishing is excellent right now. Bass and panfish are starting to move into the shallows as water warms toward 60 degrees over the next few weeks. The PFBC boat launch off Duck Harbor Road is in good shape.
**What's opening soon
Spring Wildflowers Are Peaking. What to Look For This Week
By Duck Harbor Community News · May 3, 2026
The woods are putting on a show right now. Early May is peak wildflower season in our part of Wayne County, and the spring ephemerals are out before the tree canopy fills in and shades them out.
**What's blooming on your lot this week:**
• **Trout lily** — mottled green leaves with small yellow nodding flowers. They grow in colonies along damp slopes
• **Trillium** — three white petals on a single stem. The classic eastern woodland flower. Don't pick them, they take seven years to bloom from seed
• **Bloodroot** — white star-shaped flowers with a yellow center, single round leaf wrapped around the stem
• **Spring beauty** — tiny pink-and-white striped flowers carpeting the forest floor in patches
• **Hepatica** — pale lavender or white flowers with t
Hummingbirds Are Back. Time to Hang Your Feeders
By Duck Harbor Community News · May 3, 2026
The first ruby-throated hummingbirds have shown up in northeast PA, right on schedule for early May. If you haven't already, it's a good week to put your feeders out.
**The basics:**
Mix one part plain white sugar with four parts water. That's it. No red dye, no honey, no brown sugar. Boil briefly to dissolve, let it cool, and fill your feeder. The birds find the red feeder just fine without colored nectar.
**Where to put them:**
• Hang in the shade if you can, so the nectar stays fresh longer
• Within sight of a window so you can enjoy the show
• Away from picture windows where birds might collide
• Out of easy reach for bears (more on that below)
**Keep it clean:**
Change the nectar every three to four days when it's warm, more often if the feeder sits in sun. Cloudy n
PA Spring Turkey Season Opens April 26. Safety Tips for the Woods
By Duck Harbor Community News · April 16, 2026
Pennsylvania's spring gobbler season opens Saturday, April 26 and runs through May 30. Wayne County falls in Wildlife Management Unit 3C, which consistently produces strong turkey harvests.
**Season dates for our area (WMU 3C):**
• Youth hunt: April 19 (one day only, licensed junior hunters with a mentor)
• Regular season: April 26 through May 30
• Hunting hours: Half hour before sunrise to noon (first two weeks), then half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset for the final two weeks
**If you hunt:**
• A valid PA hunting license and spring turkey tag are required
• Shotgun, bow, or crossbow are legal methods
• Full camouflage is standard. Move carefully and identify your target
• Let your neighbors know if you plan to hunt on or near your lot
**If you don't hunt:**
• Yo
2026 PA Trout Season Is Open. Duck Harbor Pond Is Stocked
By Duck Harbor Community News · April 16, 2026
Pennsylvania's 2026 trout season is officially open and Duck Harbor Pond is on the PA Fish & Boat Commission's stocking list.
**What to know:**
• **Season**: Now open statewide
• **License required**: Valid PA fishing license + trout/salmon permit
• **Daily creel limit**: 5 trout (combined species), 7" minimum
• **Duck Harbor Pond** is stocked by the PFBC. Check the latest stocking dates at the link below
**Before you head out:**
• Licenses can be purchased online at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat/
• All anglers 16 and older need a license and trout permit
• Be respectful of other anglers and private property boundaries
**PFBC Stocking Info for Duck Harbor Pond:**
https://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStocking_ATW_GIS_RFP.aspx?RFP_WaterID=2108
Tight lines, neig
Spring Markets Are Opening Up in Honesdale
By Duck Harbor Community News · April 1, 2026
If you're heading into Honesdale this spring, there are two farmers markets worth knowing about.
**Main Street Farmers Market (Indoor, through April 25th)**
The Cooperage Project on Main Street hosts an indoor market every Saturday from 11 AM to 1 PM. This one wraps up April 25th, so there are only a few weekends left. It's a nice stop if you're already in town picking up supplies.
**Wayne County Farmers Market (Outdoor, starts May 23rd)**
The outdoor market opens Memorial Day weekend in the Dave's Super Duper parking lot on Willow Avenue. It runs every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM through the end of October. Local produce, baked goods, maple syrup, honey, plants, and handmade items from Wayne County growers and producers.
Both markets are about 20 minutes from The
Bears Are Active. Spring Reminders for the Woods
By Duck Harbor Community News · April 1, 2026
Black bears are out of their dens and actively foraging across Wayne County. This is normal for spring, but it's worth a reminder since bear encounters tend to pick up this time of year.
**Why spring is different:**
Mother bears and their yearling cubs split up in spring when the female is ready to breed again. That means more individual bears moving through unfamiliar territory, including through our lots and around our cabins. Wayne County had 63 bears harvested last season, and neighboring Pike and Monroe counties had even higher numbers. There are a lot of bears in our area.
**What you can do:**
• Bring bird feeders inside or switch to window-mounted feeders until fall
• Make sure dumpster lids at the recycling center are closed tight after use
• Don't leave pet food, coolers
Spring Hunting Season Is Coming Up
By Duck Harbor Community News · April 1, 2026
Spring hunting seasons are getting underway across Wayne County. If you hunt or just want to know what's in season, we've put together a list of nearby public land, season dates, and outdoor resources.
Visit our Hunting & Recreation Resources at /recreation for details.
Rainy Week Ahead. A Few Reminders for the Woods
By Duck Harbor Community News · March 31, 2026
Looks like we're in for a solid stretch of rain this week. Here's what to keep in mind:
**Road conditions:**
The gravel roads will get soft and muddy. Take it slow, especially on hills and curves. If you see standing water, don't assume it's shallow. Give the roads a day or two to firm up after the rain passes.
**Around your lot:**
• Good time to check your gutters and downspouts. Clear out any winter debris before the heavy stuff comes
• Watch for water pooling near your foundation
• If you have a sump pump, make sure it's running
**Wildlife:**
Rain brings the worms up and the birds down. Keep an eye out for turkeys in the clearings and listen for the wood thrush. They love this weather. Bears are also more active after rain, so make sure dumpster lids at the recycl