John Heinz NWR day trip

On Sunday, January 6, I drove to John Heinz NWR located near Philadelphia Airport - a 95 mile one trip from my home. I left my home at 8am and with fairly light traffic - enter the NWR at 9:45am. I was surprised to see the parking lot almost completely full - a little more on why coming. Below is a link to the site.

John_Heinz NWR

The visitors center was closed (due the gov't shutdown) so I started my walk around the 3 mile loop trail. The firs thing I noticed was how wet and muddy the trails where and also how the wind was gusty up to 20mph across the lake...things where not looking good for birding. My target species for the day where Black Headed Gull, Northern Saw whet Owl and Rusty Blackbird.

Rusty Blackbird - target species not seen

As walked about a 50 feet on the trail when I saw my first species - a downy woodpecker. after another 1/2 mile is began seeing more species including: white throated sparrows, Carolina wrens, and Red bellied woodpeckers. a passed a few birders heading back toward the parking lot and we chatted...I learned that the saw Whet was being seen another 1/4 mile along the trail.

As I approached the area where the saw Whet was being seen, I spotted some movement in the brush - and added the following species to my day list: Tufted titmouse, Yellow Rumped Warbler, Carolina Chickadee and several others....being my total to 21 species.

I was lucky enough to have people standing near where the saw whet owl was being seen and they quickly pointed it out to me....lifer number 504!!! Yeah!!.

Northern saw Whet Owl - lifer number 504

As I continued my walk I added a few more species...but didn't get to see the Black headed gull or a Rusty Blackbird....maybe next trip.

I did however find out why everyone was walking the trails,...a Long Eared Owl was spotted the day before and everyone was looking for it...with no luck...here is picture from the ebirder that found the owl on Saturday.

Long eared Owl

A I walked back toward the parking area, along the impoundment, there where hundred of Ruddy Ducks, a few tundra Swans, Hooded Mergansers and Ring necked Ducks to name a few. The last bird of day was a pair a Belted Kingfishers flying along the canal just off the parking lot.


I ended the day with 38 species after 3 1/2 hours and 3 miles of walking - all in all a good day.

Until next time good Birding