Field Trips

For: Early migrants such as Common Nighthawk

Place: Exton Park, 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 2024.

This 1-2 mile evening walk along level earthen paths will cover about a mile and take about 2 hours. Restrooms are available at the parking area where we will meet. This field trip is a collaboration between WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.
Directions: Meet at the trailhead parking area for the Chester Valley Trail off of Church Farm Lane, NOT at the gravel lot on Swedesford Rd.

Exton Park

For:  Fall migrants and resident birds

Place: : 1 Park Rd. Coatesville, PA

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 outing will cover about 2 miles and will last approximately 2-3 hours. There is a modern restroom at the park office, where we will meet. This field trip is a collaboration between WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.

Directions: We will meet at the park office near the mansion off of Park Rd.

Hibernia Park 

For: Migrants and resident birds

Place: Parking lot off of Ramsey Rd., 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Carol Majors (484-883-8311, carolmajors@gmail.com)

Note: A walk along the Brandywine Creek in Delaware. The walk is about 2 miles over fairly even terrain. New bridge over stream crossing.

Directions: Route 202 South to Rt. 92 just over the state line. Turn right onto Route 92 then follow it to the left. Take the first right on to Ramsey Rd. Look for the parking area on the right. In GPS, navigate to Ramsey's Farm, Ramsey Road, Wilmington, DE.  The parking lot is across the street from the entrance.

For: Migrants and resident birds

Place: Royal Farms at the junction of US Route 40 & MD Route 781. On the eastern side of Elkton, on the north side of Route 40, 7:30 a.m.

Leader: Armas Hill (302-529-1876, Armas@focusonnature.com)

Note: A walk to the marsh and other habitats at Elk Landing, the Elk River Park and then to the Elk Neck State Forest including the arboretum. Lastly to the Elk Neck State Park, at the head of Chesapeake Bay, one of the best places in the Mid-Atlantic for bird migration in the late summer and fall. Mostly songbirds and raptors. The walk should be completed around noon. Afternoon birding may be available if people wish to continue. If so, bring lunch. There is a bathroom in the state park.

Directions: Route 95 south to Delaware 896 south. Turn right on Rt. 40 to the parking lot at the intersection of Rts. 40 and 781.

Elk Neck State Park
Turkey Point Lighthouse

For: Shorebirds and gulls

Place: Wawa, W. Brigantine Ave. and 8th St, 11:00 a.m.

Leader:  Bruce Piecukonis (610-247-2205, Pterodroma@comcast.net)

Note: A 5-mile beach hike in the North Brigantine Natural Area, with close views of shorebirds and gulls. The hike is a flat hike on sand. There is a port-a-potty at the Natural Area parking area.

Directions: We will meet at Wawa (813 W. Brigantine Ave., Brigantine, NJ 082030). Note: This Wawa does NOT have restrooms.

For:  Migrants and resident birds

Place: 1399 Schoff Rd, Atglen, PA 19310, 8:00 a.m. Meet at the parking lot.

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.

Paths are both earthen and paved and gently rolling. We will travel 1-2 miles over 2-3 hours. There is a portable restroom on site. This field trip is a collaboration between WCBC and Valley Forge Audubon Society.

Directions: Go west on Strasburg Rd to Parkesburg, then south on 10 to Highland Drive. Turn right and go 3.4 miles to the intersection with Schoff Rd, then turn right on Schoff and go 1 mile to the park entrance on the right.

Wolf's Hollow Park 

For: Summer Residents & Early Migrants

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, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

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: Seasonal Birds

Place: Shaw's Bridge Park at 274 S. Creek Road, West Chester, PA.

Leaders: Mary Bryant (mbryantvmd@gmail.com)

Note: We will explore the trail looking for seasonal birds. This walk is about 1.5 miles and should take around 2 hours.

Directions: Park at lot; there is a port-a-potty there.

Shaw's Bridge Park