OUTDOORS By Jim Cheney BiRD WATCHiNG Whether you’re an expert birder or want to go bird watching for the first time, there are many great destinations to visit throughout Pennsylvania. Here are some of the best spots in the state. Presque Isle State Park , located along the shores of Lake Erie, is one of the best birding destinations in the country. Over 300 species of birds have been spotted. Located in central Pennsylvania, Bald Eagle State Park isn’t just a great place to see bald eagles; it is also home to many species of waterfowl during the spring migration. Amplify your chances of spotting majestic golden eagles when you visit Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch near Carlisle, boasting one of the largest THE BEST IN concentrations of raptors in the country. (We’re talking up to 20,000 raptors passing through annually.) This 125-acre rock outcrop in the Kittatinny Ridge is the ideal vantage point during fall migration. Eastern Pennsylvania’s Hawk Mountain Sanctuary was the world’s first protected area for birds of prey, and thousands migrate through the sanctuary seasonally. Also popular is Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Kleinfeltersville, which is visited by 100,000 snow geese in late winter. Two other great birding spots in eastern Pennsylvania are Peace Valley Park and Lake Ontelaunee . Both offer chances to see migrating waterfowl and species rarely seen in Pennsylvania. Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch, Carlisle courtesy of Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau/Pammi Simone 28 [ QUICK TIPS FOR BIRDING : Mary Birdsong isn’t just an avid birder — she’s also a shorebird monitor for the Presque Isle Audubon Society. Scan this page with Layar for some easy tips to make the most of your bird watching trip. To download the Layar app, see page 7 for instructions. visitPA.com }
Pennsylvania PA 2017 Happy Traveler: Page 28
