DESCRIPTION: This 1,125-acre park lies in a gap in South Mountain, thereby attracting some nesting species usually found farther north, such as Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, and Canada warblers. Whispering Pine Nature Trail and Hosack Run along Quarry Gap Road are good areas to walk to get a good sampling of the birdlife. Other trails in the park (including a portion of the Appalachian Trail) are more rigorous, but can also be good birding. |
DIRECTIONS: From Gettysburg, go west on US 30 for about 15 miles and turn right (north) on PA 233. Go a few hundred yards and turn left into the park. Park in the first parking area on the left. The Whispering Pine Nature Trail starts across the road from the entrance to the parking lot. The trail is about 0.7 mile long and ends at the Hosack Run Campground. You can continue on the campground entrance road and turn left onto Quarry Gap Road and follow that for another mile or so. Quarry Gap Road has a lot of Rhododendron thickets which are good for Hooded Warbler.
The area around Long Pine Run Reservoir just north of the park is also a good birding area. From US 30 and PA 233, go north on PA 233 for 1.6 miles and turn left (west) on Milesburn Road. Go 1.4 miles and turn right onto the reservoir access road. The reservoir attracts migrant waterfowl and the conifers along the road host Northern Parula and Pine warblers.
Return to Milesburn Road, turn right and bird this road from here to the intersection with Birch Run Road (about 0.6 mile).
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Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00
Updated: |
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