Feathery fall migrations: Keep your eyes peeled for these traveling birds

Spot the birds making their way across Pennsylvania during their autumn migrations south.

During the autumn months, numerous birds make their way through Pennsylvania as they migrate from their northern breeding grounds to warmer climates. You can see birds of prey like falcons and hawks fly through mountainous areas, waterbirds like tundra swan stopping in Pennsylvania’s lakes, and the signs of familiar songbirds flying by night through the woods.

This fall, stop by some of the best birding areas in the state to greet these seasonal visitors.

Autumn migration of birds of prey

The most famous fall flights likely belong to birds of prey like falcons, eagles, vultures, and hawks, which attract numerous birdwatchers as these birds soar through Pa. skies during their autumn migration.

The best place to watch out for the predator birds, also known as raptors, is Hawk Mountain, located within Berks and Schuylkill Counties. September and October are peak viewing times for hawks and raptors, though Hawk Mountain’s annual Autumn Migration Hawk Count takes place during the four months between Aug. 15 and Dec. 15. Since 1934, the number of birds by species has been observed and recorded from the top of Hawk Mountain. The average number of raptors passing through is around 18,000, with single-day counts reaching more than 3,000 birds.

Most ospreys and bald eagles soar through the skies above Hawk Mountain throughout September. In early October, you’re likely to see merlins (small falcons) and Peregrine falcons. Look for birds like red-tailed hawks and red-shouldered hawks in October and early November. 

Other places to view (and count!) birds of prey include Second Mountain Hawk Watch and Waggoner’s Gap on the Kittatinny Ridge near Carlisle.

And while it’s possible to see bald eagles at Centre County’s Bald Eagle State Park, the park is an ideal place to catch sight of a migrating golden eagle, a relatively rare bird for the eastern U.S. You’re most likely to catch a golden eagle as it migrates along the park mountains in October or early November.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary courtesy of Richard Bonnett/CC BY 2.0.

Autumn migration of waterbirds

Waterbirds begin migrating into Pa. in mid-July. After breeding up north, these water-loving flyers begin moving south, passing through Pa. You’ll likely see migrating waterbirds on the shores of Pennsylvania’s lakes and around its rivers, with shorebird (birds that stay close to the shore) migration numbers peaking in September and waterfowl (ducks and geese) migration reaching a high point in November and December. 

Some shorebirds may summer as far north as the Arctic Circle before traveling south for the winter! You can visit Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie to see some traveling shorebirds, such as the spotted sandpiper, Bonaparte’s gull, or perhaps even the rare piping plover. At the park, you’ll want to head to Gull Point, which juts into the waters of Lake Erie, for your best chance at spotting migrating birds. Much of this area is closed off for the birds themselves, but there is an observation deck along the Gull Point Trail especially for birdwatchers. At Presque Isle, October is best for seeing waterfowl.

You can also spot migrating waterfowl like tundra swan and snow geese at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, particularly at the Willow Point area. While the spring might be the most popular time to see them, you can also catch them as they travel back south through Pennsylvania.

Snow geese at Middle Creek by Gabe M., courtesy of Discover Lancaster.

Autumn migration of songbirds

Songbirds make up roughly half of all birds — this group contains backyard birds you may be familiar with from spotting them at your yard feeder, like sparrows and warblers. But you may not see them as they’re traveling — most migrate only at night. That’s why you should check for signs of these birds in the evening. Listen for their quiet songs and chirps as they move through the state. Warbler migration peaks in September, and quickly species like the yellow-rumped warbler are moving through Pa., venturing toward parts of the southern U.S. and Mexico. Sparrows too, like the tree sparrow, are traveling through the Pa. woods. And in addition to waterbirds, you can see some songbirds at Presque Isle State Park. In late September and October, sparrows like fox sparrows are moving south for the winter. Yet while sparrows are indeed migrating from colder to warmer weather, the relatively warmer southeastern Pa. may serve as some of the birds’ winter home.

Wissahickon Valley Park is an ideal place to search for birds in Philadelphia, as is really any park in the state. Other favorite state parks for birding include York County’s Codorus State Park and Bedford County’s Blue Knob State Park. 

Roundup: Some great fall birdwatching sites

• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary – Berks and Schuylkill Counties
• Second Mountain Hawk Watch – Lebanon County
• Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch – Perry County
• Presque Isle State Park – Erie County
• Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area – Lancaster County
• Wissahickon Valley Park – Philadelphia County
• Codorus State Park – York County
• Blue Knob State Park – Bedford County

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.