Bird watching trips in pennsylvania

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Some 400 species of birds, constituting about one in every 2 species that inhabit the Great North American Continent, reside in or transit through Pennsylvanias verdant lands. The legendary 19th century Pioneer of Natural History Conservation, John James Audubon, chose this State for his home. Pennsylvania is a Haven for the birding enthusiast and you can indulge in this most enthralling hobby even at the height of winter.

Most States and countries as well have lists of birding sites that help the casually interested find a rare spot where they may sight more than the neighborhood sparrow. Pennsylvania has such a list and it quite simply a waste of time! The Delaware River and Lake Eire have doused the State with so much natural wealth that you need neither guide nor advice to find places with more birds than people! Setting priorities on the other hand, can be a help as not everyone can spend lifetimes looking at all of Pennsylvanias bird wealth.

The State has no less than 180 Parks. The ones sprinkled on Delawares banks and in the midst Eires expanse, are fast solutions to the dilemma of fitting time limits of a bird watching vacation on the States template of avian-rich places. Try and visit in May, not just for the numbers and variety of birds, but because it is during this month that plumage is most colorful and when the songbirds reach their annual crescendo. Song birds are active in enormous numbers and their songs envelop us in tuneful bliss. Most of them are from South America. You can become an expert in recognizing birds by their calls and song if you spend time birding in Pennsylvania during May. Many spring migrants are nocturnal and another memorable sight of May, is that of a dark evening cloud of birds heading northwards, as the sun prepares to retire for the night.

The Pocono Mountains area is a prime birding site in the State. The Auto Tour recreates the journeys of the great explorer through the area and covers over 50 miles of virgin pine forest. The Upper Lehigh River and its surrounding wet lands attract large number of birds and provide both novice and experienced enthusiast with rare and numerous bird sightings. They form the boundaries of a beautiful State Park. Great Blue Herons and Kingfishers are common residents. The Park is also home to black and white and magnolia warblers. The Nescopeck State Park is spread over 3 thousand acres in Luzerne County and has over 150 species of birds. The Park is built around a creek that sustains vegetation and a rich array of birds. The Presque Isle State Park juts in to the Lake Eire and is rich in bird life.

Great credit is due to the people who chose the Ruffled Grouse to represent the State. May hosts so many species in Pennsylvania that your mind will find no escape from the maze of most creditable candidates to represent the State! The resident and visitor bird populations begin to build up with the first swallows that herald spring. Preparation for the southward autumn migration are as visionary and you can see signs even before we are past the peak of summer.

Sandpipers, thrushes and fly-catchers begin to appear as peak summer approaches. Most of them are on their way further North and just to stop to enjoy the rich pickings in the vegetation along the river and Lake Eire. The wetlands also attract migrating shorebirds. Some irregular visitors such as loons may also wander in during the height of the warm season.

August sees the end of nesting and preparation for winter. Autumn migration starts at this time and the concerts of nature begin to fade. Goldfinches, cardinals and mourning doves continue to nest, but they are exceptions. Swallows and songbirds lead the southern flight to escape the rigors of the forthcoming cold and darkness and you can see many Arctic flocks in transit at this time. Birds of prey are sighted during this time, moving in tandem due south with their kin. Plumage changes in general during this season and you no longer see the brilliant colors of summer. The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is always a beautiful place but an autumn visit will yield sightings of large number of hawks of all kinds on their way south. Waterfowl also settle in water bodies of the state as the winter approaches and large flocks of blackbirds and cow birds participate in a massive migration.

Juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, finches and rough legged hawks are the main types of birds that can sustain the harsh winter cold. Birders can enjoy their feeding and other habits during peak winter in Pennsylvania. Lake Eire remains a favorite haunt even during freezing January. Tundra swans and snow geese visit southern Pennsylvania during this season, especially in Lancaster County. It is no use pretending that winter is the cheeriest birding time in Pennsylvania, but the good news is that this interlude of relative paucity is mercifully short.

Spring and the concurrent thaw herald the start of the nesting season. Bald Eagles and Great Horned Owls are amongst the first to appreciatively use the lengthening daylight hours to hatch their eggs and raise the young. Diving ducks start appearing in the river and you can see the first flocks of robins, grackles, blackbirds and cow birds moving northward in search of prime breeding estates. The American woodcocks flight song is a certain sign that the grip of winter has slackened. Spring peepers soon join in the harmonious praise of spring and the shores of streams and ponds awaken to a feast of melody. Pennsylvania bird watching in March is an uplifting experience for the avid birder. It can also spark a life-long passion for the hobby in the heart of a casual and curious vacationer.