Field Trips

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.
 
Visiting the 6th park in the series, Black Rock Sanctuary, in the evening gives us the opportunity not only to observe birds that are settling in for the night, but also to watch for those that are just getting started. For example, this is the time of the year that common nighthawks can often be seen swooping through the skies at dusk, and young eastern screech owls are learning to sing. Our partnership with Chester County Parks and Preservation allows us to be in the park beyond closing time for this field trip, much of which will take place on the paved loop trail which is fully accessible to those with mobility challenges.
 
This outing will cover about a mile on paved and natural surface trails and will last approximately 2 hours. A portable restroom is available on site.
 
Black Rock Sanctuary

For: Migrating Nighthawks

Place: Bucktoe Preserve parking lot, Kennett Square, PA, 5:00 p.m.

Leader: Larry Lewis - Early Bird Tours (484-340-7672, earlybirdtours@comcast.net)

Note: The Bucktoe Common Nighthawk watch goes from Aug 23 to September 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bring picnic dinner and drinks and enjoy the show.

Directions: From Kennett Square, take Union Street south of town. This becomes Kaolin Road. Make a right onto Hillendale Road. Proceed about 1.5 miles to Sharp Road and make a left. The entrance is on the left at 432 Sharp Road. Look for the “BCP” sign. Upon entering driveway, make a right on gravel road opposite first driveway you see. Follow gravel road to the pavilion and parking area.

Bucktoe Preserve

For: Fall migrants

Place: 191 County Park Rd, Pottstown 19465, 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 2023.
 
Our 2023 Chester County Parks birding series ends at Warwick County Park in northern Chester County. With meadows, wetlands, forest, and a section of the beautiful French Creek, birds abound! Fall migration will be underway and it’s a wonderful time to get out and observe what birds are moving through our area as well as well as those that stay year-round. Join us.
 
This field trip will cover 1-2 miles on mainly flat (and possibly muddy) earthen trails and will last approximately 2-3 hours. Meet at the parking lot below the park office. Modern restrooms are available on site.
 
Directions: From the intersection of Routes 100 and 23, proceed west on Rout 23 for 3.4 miles. Turn left onto County Park Road (entrance is somewhat hidden) and continue 0.3 miles to the entrance to Warwick County Park, on the left. Follow the drive to the last parking lot on the left.
 
Warwick Park

For: Summer Residents and Early Fall 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 info@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 later 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: Migrants and resident birds

Place: Parking lot at end of Route 272, MD, 8:00 a.m.

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

Note: A walk to Turkey Point in Elk Neck State Park, 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 back to the parking lot around noon. Afternoon birding may be available if people wish to continue. There is a bathroom by the lighthouse.

Directions: Route 95 south to Maryland Route 272 south which takes you right to the parking lot.

Elk Neck State Park
Turkey Point Lighthouse

For: Fall migrants, warblers, shorebirds and waterfowl

Place for Saturday: Cape May Point State Park Lighthouse parking lot, 7:30 a.m.

Place for Sunday: Higbee Beach parking lot, 7:00 a.m.

Leaders: Barry Blust (610-458-5616, barryblust@comcast.net)

Note: Contact Barry for details. Please make your own reservations if you plan on staying overnight.

Note: This trip involves considerable walking, 2 to 4 miles each day, over relatively flat terrain, but some walking in sand will be involved. Please join us both days or either day.

Cape May Bird Observatory

Cape May Point State Park