Birding
Step outside anywhere and nature's sweet melody plays on the wind. From the Blackburnian Warblers of Cook's ancient forest to hollow knocking of Pileated Woodpeckers, or the evening chant of the Whip-poor-will, bird watchers have much to enjoy here.
Spring and summer are the best seasons for birding. Early morning is particularly favorable, especially during the breeding season. Peak songbird migration is mid-April to the end of May. Raptors may arrive as early as the beginning of March.
The National Audubon Society has designated Cook Forest State Park and the Buzzard Swamp as Important Birding Areas. Other noteworthy locations include the Allegheny River at Tionesta and the Clarion River from Wilcox to Cook Forest.
The change of seasons causes a dramatic fluctuation in bird populations. We generally understand that the movement of birds is a response to food, rather than directly to cold. Birds that feed on insects or fruit can make a living only during the warmer months, when the abundant insect life abounds. Frozen water restricts access to abundant aquatic life for water birds.
Piney Tract (Mt. Zion Grasslands) This reclaimed strip mine is located in Piney Township on the other side of the Clarion River from Interstate 80 Exit 53, the Knox Exit. Take Canoe Ripple Road south. You will cross the Clarion River. At the first dirt road to the left, which is Elliott Road, turn left.
Go 1.1 miles on Elliott Road to the Y at the intersection with Mt. Zion Road. Turn left at the Y and go to the top of the hill. Here you have a good view of the grasslands and can sometimes see the crepuscular Short-eared owls.
Park here and walk the road to the right (south) where cars are not permitted. Grassland sparrows such as Henslow's, Vesper, and Savannah are present in some of the shrubby habitat. Northern Harriers are present year-round as well as Rough-legged Hawks in the winter. Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Eastern Kingbirds are summer nesters.
Piney Tract is under the protection of the Pennsylvania Game Commission as part of its farm and game program. As such, it is open to hunters during all hunting seasons. Visitors should wear the required amount of fluorescent orange clothing.
Cook Forest State Park The park, which contains a few notable old-growth forest remnants, is accessible from Interstate 80. Good maps and hiking information are available at the park office just off Route 36 before the Clarion River Bridge in Cooksburg.
The unique birding opportunities in Cook Forest are associated mostly with the old growth forest remnants located in the Forest Cathedral and on the Seneca Trail. The riparian habitat along the Clarion River on River Road is worth investigating also. Tom's Run Road, open during the late spring through fall only, has good second-growth forest habitat as well as vernal pond habitat during the spring. Red-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-headed Vireo, Hermit and Wood Thrushes, Blackburnian and Parula Warblers, Dark-eyed Junco and "winter finches" have been seen in some years.
Migratory songbirds winter in tropical climates and visit areas such as Clear Creek and Cook Forest state parks to breed. The deep conifer, or cone-bearing, forests of white pine and eastern hemlock found here provide an ideal environment for raising young. There is an abundance of food in this ecosystem both in the form of seeds and insects. In fact, some species, such as the Blackburnian Warbler, are found an average of 45 times more often in old-growth forests such as the one in Cook Forest.
The average pair of warbler parents gather caterpillars from more than a million leaves in the ten days that it takes them to raise their babies. The delicate life cycle sustains bird species and protects trees from being destroyed by leaf-eating predators.
North side of Buzzard Swamp, Allegheny National Forest This walk is a 2.7 mile loop. For the first mile, Lamonaville Road is paved, then turns into a good-quality dirt road. The hiking trails are wide, clear and dry. There is a nice spot to rest about half-way around the loop. The trail involves only very modest hills. Plan 3 to 4 hours for a casual birding walk around the 2.7 mile path. The area is quite primitive. Bird sightings will vary with the seasons, but the birding is good. Buzzard Swamp is an important link in the Atlantic Flyway, and during spring and fall migration the ponds are teaming with waterfowl.
Bald Eagles: As with most wildlife, the best times to look for eagles are early and late in the day. Overcast or cloudy days also are good. When it is hot and sunny, the birds prefer to stay out of sight in the cool shade.
The bald eagle is a large bird that can reach a height of approximately three feet with a wingspan of up to eight feet. Eagles live almost exclusively around lakes, rivers, or seashores making their nests in large trees, cliffs or rock outcrops in remote areas along the shoreline. Eagle nests are expansive structures in the tops of large shoreline trees or rocks located within easy range of the shoreline for fishing. Eagles partner with their mate for life and often use the same nest structure year after year.
Bald eagle sightings are common along the Allegheny River in Foxburg and Tionesta, on the George B. Stevenson Reservoir at Sizerville State Park and along the East Branch of the Susquehanna River in Benezette.
At Buzzard Swamp, near Marienville, the Songbird Sojourn is a 1.5 mile self-guided interpretive trail. Some 10 other miles of trails provide additional opportunities for viewing both birds and varied wildlife.
Tips for bird identification:
Whether you are a novice or experienced birder, trying to identify an unfamiliar bird can be a challenge. When you see an unfamiliar bird, don’t miss an important opportunity by trying to look at your field guide. Take notes of the features of the bird, location and other pertinent information. Review your guide later. Here are some important notes to take:
Size: Is it small like a sparrow, medium-sized like a robin, big like a duck, or larger?
Bill shape: Can you determine the shape of the bill? Is it curved or pointed? Maybe you can see if it’s thick or thin. How does it compared with the rest of the bird’s body?
Shape and Posture: Is it slim or chunky? Is it short-tailed or long-tailed? Was it upright or upside-down? If you can see nothing else, be sure to at least make notes on the silhouette.
Behavior: If the bird is foraging for food, what is its behavior? What is it eating? Is it alone or part of a flock? Is the bird on water, if so is it diving or on top?
Markings: Does the bird have any special markings or color patterns. Note any particular information regarding coloring.
You can then research at a later time to determine the species of the bird you studied. Is it a migratory bird or native to your region?
