birding in butler county, pa county...1 butler county tourism & convention bureau - 866-856-8444...

1 Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau - 866-856-8444 - www.VisitButlerCounty.com

Nautical Nature features regular trips around Lake Arthur throughout the summer.

Moraine State Park225 Pleasant Valley Dr., Portersville, PA 16051, 724-368-8811www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/moraine.aspx

Noted for: Osprey & Waterfowl Moraine State Park is a great place to spot our feathered friends. Loons,

warblers, Bald Eagles, herons and Osprey are among the many species that can be found throughout the park’s nearly 16,000 acres. The waterfowl observation deck is a nice sheltered area to watch bird life. Many neotropical migrants can also be found throughout the park.

Lake Arthur provides over 42 miles of scenic shoreline. Its tributaries include Muddy Run, Big Run, Swamp Run, Bear Run and over 75 intermittent streams. Ranging from an average depth of 11 feet to about 36 feet deep near the dam, the shallow waters of Lake Arthur are home to a variety of warm-water fish. Frogs, newts, turtles and water snakes prowl the edges of the lake. The tall Great Blue Heron, the short Green Heron, and the Belted Kingfisher prey on minnows and fish fry. In the early spring, Common Loons stop at the lake on their migration north. Lake Arthur is a key migratory stop over for water birds, including Tundra Swans in March-April and October-November.

Osprey may be seen flying over Lake Arthur. Once extirpated from Western Pennsylvania, these “fish hawks” have been reintroduced to Moraine through a hacking program begun in 1993. The first Osprey pair to nest along Lake Arthur as a result of the reintroduction effort raised three young in 1996. Bald Eagles have also been spotted nesting in the park. A waterfowl observation deck is along old Route 422 accessible from Route 528.

A variety of boats are available for rent by the hour or day at the Crescent Bay Marina on the lake’s south shore. They have man-powered boats such as canoes and kayaks as well as motor and pontoon boats. Or take a ride on Nautical Nature, a 45-passenger enclosed pontoon boat. Learn about the area’s natural history and Osprey reintroduction, while appreciating the unique scenery and wildlife on a trip around Lake Arthur. Boat tours operate on a regular schedule throughout the summer. See the attached Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology (PSO) Site Guide for more information.

Moraine State Park is bisected by PA 422 running east/west and PA 528 running north/south.

Birding in Butler County, PAButler County is accessible by I-79, I-80 and the PA Turnpike. You might spot Osprey, Bald Eagles or a Cerulean Warbler.

Moraine State Park is a great place to spot our feathered friends. Loons, warblers, Bald Eagles, herons and Osprey are among the many species

waterfowl observation deck is a nice sheltered area to watch bird life.

their migration north. Lake Arthur is a key migratory stop over for water birds, including Tundra Swans in March-April and October-November.

Osprey may be seen flying over Lake Arthur. Once extirpated from Western

You might spot Osprey, Bald Eagles or a Cerulean Warbler.

Birders using a scope & binoculars observe waterfowl at Lake Arthur.

Bald Eagles at Moraine State ParkPhoto by: Jacob W. Dingel


Jennings Environmental Education Center 2951 Prospect Rd., Slippery Rock, PA 16057, 724-794-6011www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/jennings.aspx

Noted for: Woodcock spring mating ritualJennings Environmental Education Center is located 12 miles north of Butler, PA on Route 528 and part of the center is along Route 8. It is one of several state parks specifically dedicated to provide environmental education and interpretation to the community. A variety of programs are available for children, teachers, and the general public that increase knowledge and awareness of the beauty and importance of our natural resources. By taking some time to explore Jennings through its trail network or community programs, visitors can enjoy the outdoors while learning the skills needed to be good stewards of Pennsylvania’s outstanding natural resources.

Jennings provides a unique combination of prairie and forest, which offers a wide array of resource and education opportunities. One of the park’s main features, the 20-acre prairie ecosystem, is home to distinctive prairie plants and the endangered Massasauga rattlesnake. The most noteworthy and spectacular prairie flower is the blazing star. Jennings was the first reserve established in Pennsylvania to protect an individual plant species and remains the only public and protected prairie in the commonwealth.

An abundance of bird species can be found among the prairie and woodlands at Jennings Environmental Education Center. Goldfinches, Song and Field Sparrows, swallows, bluebirds, flycatchers and Woodcocks are among the many birds that can be spotted throughout the center’s 300 acres. Visit Jennings’ prairie area on spring evenings at dusk, to witness the Woodcock’s amazing courtship ritual! The oak-hickory-cherry forest surrounding the prairie features a high density of breeding Carolina Warblers; Blue-winged Warblers are found on the brushy edges of the prairie. See the PSO Site Guide for more information.

State Gamelands 95Noted for: Bald Eagle & Osprey

The Glades (SGL 95) is located in north-central Butler County seven miles east of Slippery Rock via Kiester Road and 14 miles north of Butler via PA 308. Most of the 15,945-acre site is situated south of PA 58, east of PA 308, north of PA 138 and west of PA 38. It is owned and managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The main feature of State Gamelands 95 is Glade Dam Lake, 2.5

miles long. This lake is responsible for establishing a conducive habitat

for the appearance and nesting of the

Osprey and Bald Eagle, both

threatened species in Pennsylvania.

The Glades also contain various types of marshes and swamps, lakes and ponds, wet and dry meadows, as well as field and forest habitats. American Bittern, Least Bittern, Sedge Wren and Upland Sandpiper, once common here, are still present. Many breeding wetland species and sensitive forest species can also be found in the gamelands.

Unusual species for this part of Butler County include Sandhill Crane (spring), American Pipit (spring), Northern Shrike (winter), Northern Mockingbird (resident), Rusty Blackbird (spring and autumn) and the rare Brewer’s Blackbird (autumn).

See the PSO Site Guide for more information.

(NOTE: Some of the dirt roads in SGL 95 are not maintained and can develop deep ruts and craters in places.)

Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area

Noted for: Creekside & Eastern Woodland speciesWolf Creek Narrows is owned by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. There is a one-mile loop trail that follows Wolf Creek until the valley narrows. Then the trail ascends the slopes to the uplands where a profusion of white trillium can be found, usually during the first weeks of May. Spring wildflowers are a highlight of the natural area. During the last weeks of April and extending into late May, a succession of native species flower on the floodplain, steep slopes, and upland of the area.

From the Slippery Rock exit of I-79, proceed east on PA 108 to Slippery Rock. At the traffic light in the center of town turn left on PA 258, go one block, turn left onto Water Street and follow it for approximately two miles until the road crosses Wolf Creek. Cross the bridge and look for a small parking area at the head of a dirt lane on the left. Do not block the lane but park on the left side toward the creek. Walk back across the bridge. The trailhead is on the left side of the road. Look for a large sign and bulletin board. AlthoughWolf Creek Narrows is most noted for its wildflowers, birds such as kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, orioles and Wood Thrush can also be observed here.

Jennings Environmental Education Center

education and interpretation to the community. A variety of



threatened species in Pennsylvania.

The Glades also contain various types of marshes and swamps, lakes and ponds, wet and dry meadows, as well as field and forest

programs are available for children, teachers, and the general lakes and ponds, wet and dry meadows, as well as field and forest

Jennings Environmental Education Center

education and interpretation to the community. A variety of



Pennsylvania.

The Glades also contain various types of marshes and swamps, lakes and ponds, wet and dry meadows, as well as field and forest


Downtown ButlerNoted for: Nighthawk

For urban bird watching, visit downtown Butler on a summer night for great views of Nighthawks flying around the illuminated courthouse on Main Street (Route 8).

Succop Conservancywww.aswp.org/locations/succop

Noted for: WaterfowlSuccop Conservancy, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s newest reserve, is a environmental and cultural education center for the community.

The Conservancy was established for the purpose of providing an environmental and cultural education center for the community. The property also contains two ponds, walking trails, gardens and open natural spaces that can be used for a variety of outdoor activities. Both areas offer a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere where one may view the various water birds that visit the ponds (ducks, heron, kingfisher).

The Butler-Freeport Community Trailwww.butlerfreeporttrail.org

Noted for: Cerulean WarblerThe Butler-Freeport Community Trail is the corridor of the remarkably diverse Buffalo Creek Watershed in the southeast quadrant of Butler County. Starting in Laneville, the trail has Buffalo Creek as its companion for over 3 miles through the forest of the Buffalo Creek Gorge. The Buffalo Creek Gorge is the spectacular view which can be seen from the bridge on Route 28, a mile north of the Sarver-Freeport exit. The trail then picks up Little Buffalo Creek as its companion for another 8 miles, crossing the creek seven times. Many of the smaller tributaries are reminiscent of mountain brooks, offering natural cooling on a hot day and the thrill of rushing, tumbling water in all seasons. Gradually as the trail meanders northward toward Butler, it travels from the woods of the gorge to a broader forest valley with the trail securely passing between cliffs on one side and the Little Buffalo Creek on the other to more open woods to farmland and village communities before again plunging into forest as it leaves Little Buffalo Creek near its headwaters.

The trail provides the most wide ranging access to the Buffalo Creek Valley Important Bird Area as designated by the National Audubon Society. The Cerulean Warbler is known to make its home along the trail south of the Monroe Road trailhead. One of the trail volunteers met a man who had traveled from New Mexico to see the Cerulean Warbler. He was not disappointed. A variety of birds can be seen along the trail including herons, kingfishers, Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings to name a few.

Todd Nature Reservewww.aswp.org/locations/todd

Noted for: Buffalo Creek Valley Important Bird AreaTodd Nature Reserve, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s (ASWP) first reserve, is a 176 acre nature reserve located in the Buffalo Creek drainage of Sarver, southeastern Butler County, just four miles from Route 28 and about ½ hour north of Pittsburgh.

Todd Nature Reserve is a significant natural resource in Pennsylvania. It is part of Pennsylvania Audubon’s Buffalo Creek Valley Important Bird Area program, as well as the Buffalo Creek Watershed Conservation Plan.

In 1942, W.E. Clyde Todd, noted ornithologist and curator of birds at Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, donated to ASWP the first parcel of land that was to become Todd Sanctuary, now known as Todd Nature Reserve. As a teenager in the 1880s, young Clyde discovered a Magnolia Warbler nesting on the land owned by his grandparents. At the time, the discovery was notable; it was thought the area was too far south for Magnolias to nest. His quest to report his discovery launched his discovery launched his distinguished career in ornithology.

The Buffalo Creek Valley Important Bird Area contains some of the best bird habitat and most interesting scenery in the area. The deep “canyon” of Little Buffalo and Buffalo creeks are largely

wooded and contain extensive tracts of hemlock, moist deciduous forest and large stands of American Sycamore. The area is characterized as a “mixing zone” between southern (Yellow-throated Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo) and northern (Magnolia Warbler, Brown Creeper, Purple Finch) species.

You’re invited to explore Todd Nature Reserve’s 5 miles of hiking trails, abundant with the natural beauty of the forest, streams and a pond. The

rugged landscape and rustic trails provide a welcome retreat from the highly manicured suburban world. Todd’s management philosophy promotes education, nature study and passive recreation at Todd Nature Reserve while protecting its natural areas by minimizing development.

Butler County. Starting in Laneville, the trail has

exit. The trail then picks up Little Buffalo Creek

tributaries are reminiscent of mountain brooks,

Gradually as the trail meanders northward toward

to a broader forest valley with the trail securely passing between cliffs on one side and the Little Buffalo Creek on the other to more open woods to farmland and village communities before again

wooded and contain extensive tracts of hemlock, moist deciduous forest and large stands of American Sycamore. The area is characterized as a “mixing zone” between southern (Yellow-throated Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo) and northern (Magnolia Warbler, Brown Creeper, Purple Finch) species.

You’re invited to explore Todd Nature Reserve’s 5 miles of hiking trails, abundant with the natural beauty of the forest, streams

rugged landscape and rustic trails provide a welcome retreat from the highly manicured suburban

Footbridge through heml

ock forest

at Todd Nature Reserve

Moraine State Park (Lake Arthur)Butler

DESCRIPTION: This 16,725-acre park is located in western Butler County 9 miles northwest of thecity of Butler. It is west of PA Route 8, north of U.S. 422, east of I-79 and south of West LibertyBorough. The centerpiece of Moraine State Park is the 3,225-acre Lake Arthur, a human-madereservoir formed by the damming of Muddy Creek. Each year over 1 million people visit the park. The300-acre Jennings Environmental Education Center adjoins Moraine State Park in the northeasternpart of the site. One of the center's primary features, the 20-acre prairie ecosystem, is home todistinctive prairie plants, like the Blazing Star, and the endangered Massasauga Rattlesnake. In fact,Jennings was the first reserve established in Pennsylvania to protect an individual plant species. Itremains the only public and protected prairie in the Commonwealth and was declared a certifiedBartramian Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary in 1999. Jennings is 12 miles north of Butler at thejunction of PA 8 and PA 528 and is administered separately. Both Moraine State Park and Jenningsare Bureau of State Parks properties.

Hazards in the combined site are few, especially if you stay on the designated trails. Deer ticks andpoison ivy are present off the trails. Stay alert when walking the mowed prairie trails at Jennings toreduce the chances of an encounter with the Massasauga Rattlesnake.

The combined site has a cross-section of bird habitats that can be placed on a continuum from openwater to beautiful creeks, marshes, swamps, open fields, relict prairie, thickets, hedgerows,abandoned bushy fields, deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests, to abandoned cemeteries, farmsand orchards. Some specific spots are relatively undisturbed by human activities (e.g., PropagationArea 108, off limits) to heavily impacted by human visitors elsewhere (e.g., the shores and openwaters of Lake Arthur).

Rare spring and autumn migrants are the occasional Yellow-bellied Flycatcher or Olive-sidedFlycatcher that are particularly attracted to the prairie edge of Jennings in the spring and latesummer. Jennings is also known for its aerial performing male American Woodcock in late Marchthrough April and for the high density of breeding Cerulean Warbler in the oak-hickory-wild blackcherry forest surrounding the prairie.

However, Lake Arthur is the single most important habitat for birds in the site. It is a key migratorystopover for water birds in interior western Pennsylvania. Its size ensures that the lake freezes laterand thaws earlier than most surrounding lakes and ponds. Further, it is situated on the primarymigration route of the Tundra Swan as evident by tens of thousands flying directly over the site everyMarch-April and October-November. If inclement weather occurs while the swans are migrating,thousands use the lake for rest and food for a few hours to a day or two. A few Osprey nest on thelakeshore with another 4-5 pairs nesting on microwave communication towers surrounding the park.A pair of Bald Eagles has been producing an average of 2 fledglings annually for the past severalyears. The wetlands located in the many coves of the lake have supported many breeding species,including Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe,Virginia Rail, Sora, American Coot, and Sedge Wren. When Lake Arthur is drawn down somesummers, the South Shore cove mudflats attract up to 21 species of shorebirds. The combined site'svarious forests and edges support 21 breeding species of warblers, including Lawrence's Warblerreturning to Jennings' prairie edge for 3 consecutive years. Recent Cornell Lab of Ornithology fieldsurveys revealed as many as 25 singing male Cerulean Warbler in Jennings and another 20 singingmales in nearby Moraine State Park. Northern Waterthrush and Yellow-breasted Chat are commonbreeders in Moraine.

Both Moraine State Park and Jennings Environmental Education Center have excellent systems ofhiking trails too numerous to list here. Highly recommended are the short (0.25-mile each) and easy(flat) Prairie Loop and Blazing Star Trails in Jennings. Watch here for Broad-winged Hawk, AmericanWoodcock (April evenings), nesting Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallow, Yellow, Chestnut-sided,Lawrence's, and Blue-winged warblers, and Common Yellowthroat. Glacier Ridge Trail (0.31 mile)cuts through some of the most scenic forest of Jennings and harbors Cerulean, Black-throatedGreen and Kentucky warblers. This trail links Jennings to Moraine State Park over a 14-mile courseof varied habitats and avifauna.

DIRECTIONS: To reach Moraine State Park from Pittsburgh, take 1-79 north to Route 422. TakeRoute 422 east to the first exit which is clearly marked for the park. At the bottom of the ramp turn leftinto the main park entrance.

Maps (Click on map for larger view)

Sub-sites

Photos (Click on photo for larger View)

Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00Updated:

PSO Home State County Bird List

References Google Map More Info

Site Page http://www.pabirds.org/SiteGuide/PASitePage.php?SiteID=47

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State Game Lands 95 (The Glades)Butler

DESCRIPTION: The Glades (SGL 95) is located in north-central Butler County 7 miles east ofSlippery Rock via Kiester Road and 14 miles north of Butler via PA 308. Most of the 15,945-acre siteis situated south of PA 58, east of PA 308, north of PA 138 and west of PA 38. It is owned andmanaged by the PGC. The Glades was originally selected for its diversity of habitats, especially itswetlands. Even today there are different types of marshes and swamps, such as extensive sedge-cattail emergent marshes, alder-willow scrub-shrub, palustrine forested types and standing dead treeswamps. Add to those lakes, ponds, wet and dry meadows, old abandoned fields, brushy fields,scrub thickets, pine-and aspen-studded strip mines, mature deciduous forests, eastern hemlockstands, exotic spruce and fir trees at abandoned home sites, crabapple thickets, old orchards, corn,soybean and grain fields, pine plantations and hedgerows of autumn olive and multi-flora rose. Thelargest, most recognizable physical feature of the site, however, is Glades Dam Lake (2.5 miles long)that was formed by damming the South Branch of Slippery Rock Creek to make a large butfluctuating impoundment. The PGC maintains a propagation area at the north end of Glades DamLake and surrounding terrain and is strictly off limits to all people, including hunters. The water levelof Glades Dam Lake is drawn down in the spring to protect vegetative cover at the south end of thelake and raised in the fall to accommodate migrating waterfowl. Since the time of water leveladjustments varies each year with the weather, the amount of exposed shoreline and mudflat isunpredictable for shorebirds. However, Glades Dam Lake is responsible for establishing a conducivehabitat for the appearance and nesting of the Osprey and Bald Eagle, both Pennsylvania threatenedspecies. The lake is shallow and tends to freeze early and thaw later than other nearby bodies ofwater.

It should not be surprising, therefore, that with such a variety of habitats the Glades is a greatattraction for birds year round. Until recently, the currently listed Pennsylvania endangered AmericanBittern, Least Bittern, and Sedge Wren and the Pennsylvania threatened Upland Sandpiper werecommon here. All four species require wet meadows and marsh conditions at least some time duringtheir breeding regimen and these vegetative conditions, although greatly diminished, are still present.Furthermore, other breeding wetland species are well documented in recent field surveys: Pied-billedGrebe, Virginia Rail, Sora, Common Moorhen, American Coot, Wilson's Snipe, Marsh Wren, andSwamp Sparrow. Interior area sensitive forest species known to breed here are Acadian and Leastflycatchers, Veery, Wood Thrush, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler,Cerulean Warbler, Northern Parula, and Louisiana Waterthrush. SGL 95 is consistently a birdinghotspot for recording unusual species for this part of Butler County, such as Sandhill Crane (spring),American Pipit (spring), Northern Shrike (winter), Northern Mockingbird (resident), Rusty Blackbird(spring and autumn) and the rare Brewer's Blackbird (autumn). There is suspicion that the Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Creeper breed in the many evergreenplantations on the site but confirmation is still lacking.

The Glades is owned and managed by the PGC mostly for hunting, trapping and fishing, thus birdersshould wear plenty of orange in hunting seasons. Stay on roads and trails and you should not bebothered with deer ticks or poison ivy. However, deer flies can be bothersome in summer.

DIRECTIONS: See sub sites

Maps (Click on map for larger view)

Sub-sites

Spillway

Pleasant Valley Road

Christie Road

Calico Road

Boat Launch

Photos (Click on photo for larger View)

Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00Updated:

PSO Home State County Bird List

References Google Map More Info

Site Page http://www.pabirds.org/SiteGuide/PASitePage.php?SiteID=45

1 of 1 3/23/2010 12:40 PM

birding in butler county, pa county...1 butler county tourism & convention bureau - 866-856-8444...

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