Field Trips

For: Winter residents

Place: John Heinz NWR, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19153 (NOT the Rt 420 access), 8:30 a.m.

Leaders: Dorothy Bedford (609-658-1894, db@bt9.org), and Patty and John Werth (home: 484-985-8164, day of walk: 215 859-1148, Pattyww@comcast.net)

Note: This is a walking outing. The impoundment at JHNWR is a celebrated winter waterfowl destination providing forage adjacent to the Delaware River. Unlike most other WCBC waterfowl trips, it is ALL WALKING. The Wetland Loop is 3.5 miles and is expected to take 3 hours if we do the entire loop (although last year there was so much to see we only covered 1.7 miles, to the observation tower and back). More refuge information at  https://www.fws.gov/refuge/john-heinz-tinicum/visit-us. This is a joint walk with Valley Forge Audubon Society.

For: Waterfowl & American Woodcock

Place: Main parking lot on west (Lyndell) side of Marsh Creek State Park at 5:30 p.m.

Leader: Barry Blust (610-996-7913, barryblust@comcast.net)

Note: Please park down towards the water so as to not disturb the woodcocks in their display area.

For: Winter Residents

Place: Walnut Lane Park, 8:30am.

Leaders: Patty and John Werth (home: 484-985-8164, day of walk: 215-859-1148, Pattyww@comcast.net)

Note: Meet at the parking lot for Walnut Lane Park.  After walking that park, we will move next door to The Mill at Anselma

Directions:  Walnut Lane is just off Route 401 in Chester Springs, about ¼ mile south of The Mill at Anselma

For: Migrants & residents

Place: Marsh Creek State Park, Park Road parking lot, 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Dorothy Bedford (609-658-1894, db@bt9.org)

Note: We will start out at Marsh Creek State Park and continue to Struble Lake, Chambers Lake, Coatesville Reservoir and other birding areas, ending up back at Marsh Creek. Bring lunch, this is an all-day trip. Minimal walking involved. Covid protocols apply, please confirm attendance and bring your mask.

Directions: The park is located 2 miles west of Eagle Village off of PA 100. The address is 675 Park Road, Downingtown, PA. Meet at the main parking lot by the (closed) snack bar.

Marsh Creek State Park

For: Early Spring migrants and residents

Place: Cedar Hollow Preserve Park Road parking lot, 8:00 a.m.

Leaders: Tracey & Bryan O’Leary (610-888-2225, boleary0072@yahoo.com))

Note: This walk will take between 1.5 and 2 hours through meadows, forests, wetlands, and streams. There are NO bathrooms.

Directions: From Rt 202, take a right on Matthews Drive, a right on S Morehall Rd and then a right on E. Swedesford Road, turn left on Church Road to parking lot on right.

Cedar Hollow Preserve

For: Local birds and early migrants

Place: Okehocking Preserve parking lot, 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Bob Murray (610-644-5440, rmurraymmi@gmail.com)

Note: Trip is an approximately two- to three-hour walk covering about 2 miles with some moderate hills.

Directions: From West Chester, take Route 3 East. After passing Route 926, at the next light (DelChester Road) make a u-turn and come back to the Okehocking Parking lot.

Okehocking Preserve

For: Wildflowers and migrating and resident birds

Place: Westtown School cabin parking lot, 8:30am.

Leaders: Tim and Janny Sterrett (484-678-8528, timsterrett@gmail.com)

Note: This is a half-day trip. This is a walk that will cover about 2 miles over some hilly areas and take around 3 hours.

Directions: From West Chester, follow Route 3 east to Westtown Way road, turn right. Take the next left, follow Walnut Hill Road until you see Westtown School entrance. Turn right then park in first parking lot on the right.

Westtown School