Field Trips

For: Summer residents

Place: Lot .5 miles south of Paoli Pike (Not ball fields lot), 8:00 a.m.

Leaders: Sue Vanasse (484-459-4189, hsvanasse@verizon.net)

Note: Half-day trip, approximately a 3 miles over relatively flat terrain in both woods and open fields. Trail can be muddy, with roots, so wear sturdy shoes. There is a portable bathroom in the lot.

Directions: From Routes 202 and Paoli Pike, take Paoli Pike east between 3.5 and 4 miles to Line Road. Turn right on Line Road. Go past the soccer field parking to the preserve parking, about ½ mile.

Willisbrook Preserve

For: Breeding birds including Purple Martin

Place: 860 Springton Rd, Glenmoore, PA 19343, 8:00 a.m.

Leader: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com), Patty & John Werth (pattyww@comcast.net)

Note: The Chester County Parks system has seven wonderful parks which provide excellent birdwatching opportunities.  Join us as we explore all seven of the parks, one per month, in 2024.
 
This approximately 2-mile walk will be on gently sloping unpaved trails and will last 2-3 hours. A modern restroom is available on site. This walk is a collaboration of WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.
 
Directions: Take Rt. 322 West through Guthriesville, take a soft right onto Springton Road at traffic light, Cross Highspire Road, continue .5 miles to park entrance on right.
 
Springton Manor Farm

For: Summer Residents

Place: 28 Moores Road, Elverson, PA, 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Mike Coulter. If you plan to attend please email the Great Marsh Institute at lori@greatmarshinstitute.org to let them know to expect you. This will help them to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via Paypal or donations at the door. Note that the time has been shifted an hour earlier this month.

Note: Join local birding expert Mike Coulter as he guides us through the Great Marsh, an ancient periglacial marsh and the largest marsh in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

This event is hosted by the Great Marsh Institute, a non-profit with the mission of supporting scientific studies and educational opportunities for all! This event is free, but donations of any amount are welcome to support the Institute! For full trip details see here. This will be about a 3 hour walk. Conditions could be muddy and very wet so wear appropriate footwear.

Please note that the property is private but you can always visit during our planned trips.

Directions: The marsh is off of Rt. 401 four miles northwest of Rt. 100 at Ludwig's Corner. Lat/Long = 40.127651, -75.767697 or use 28 Moores Road for GPS directions. Meet at the grassy parking area at the top of the hill near 28 Moores Road. Once you turn off of Rt. 401 on to Moore's Road proceed 1/4 mile along the gravel road. You will cross a bridge and at the 1/4 mile mark make a right up the hill on the paved part of the drive. This is the first right after the bridge. At the top of the hill you should see other cars parked in the meeting area.

For: Summer Residents

Place: 953 Black Rock Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460, 6:00 p.m.

Leader: John Mercer (484-459-2062, mercer1135@aol.com), Patty & John Werth (pattyww@comcast.net)

Note: The Chester County Parks system has seven wonderful parks which provide excellent birdwatching opportunities.  Join us as we explore all seven of the parks, one per month, in 2023.

This outing will cover about 1-2 miles through woods and fields and will last approximately 2 hours.  A portable restroom is available on site.  This field trip is a collaboration between WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.

Directions: From Route 202N take route 29 towards Phoenixville. Turn left on to Main Street. After crossing the bridge, turn Right on High then left on Dayton Street which becomes Route 113. Follow Rt. 113 to Park on right side.

Black Rock Sanctuary

For: Good times!

Place & Time: Copeland School, 674 Copeland School Road, West Chester, PA; 6:00 p.m.

Hosts: Randy and Janet Aylam (aylamrs@verizon.net))

Notes: Covered dish picnic. As is our custom, the picnic will be pot luck. Everyone should bring some food to share and drinks for yourself. Please bring non-disposable plates and cutlery to avoid waste. There will be tables and chairs available in the building.

Also there is a small wooded park, Jane I Reed Park, located a short walk from the schoolhouse if anyone would like to do a short birding walk. The park has a path about a .3 mile loop in the woods and it is about a .4 mile walk to the park, so allow 1 - 1.5 hours if you want to do a bird walk. If anyone is interested, let us know and we can try to set up something more formal for people to join together for the walk.

Parking: In the East Bradford township building lot, across from the schoolhouse. There is also a large lot on the north side of Copeland School Rd, before the stop sign. If you have to park there, use caution crossing Copeland School Rd. Please try the township building lot first, it should hold everyone.