Blue Spruce County Park
| Indiana |
| DESCRIPTION: This 650-acre park is one of the best birding locations in Indiana County. Blue Spruce is noted for its excellent passerine migration. Early spring and fall mornings may yield a nice variety of vireos, warblers, and thrushes especially along Getty Run Trail, the most consistent Indiana location for finding Philadelphia Vireo, Connecticut Warbler, Mourning Warbler, and Gray-cheeked Thrush in the fall. Small numbers but a good assortment of waterfowl stop to use the lake every spring. In addition, the summer birding is excellent with opportunities to find a great variety of nesting species. Winter, too, may bring surprises. One of the most productive routes in late April through May and again August through September is the walk to and along Getty Run Trail. The Getty Run Valley funnels migrants, both spring and fall. There are many fall records of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Philadelphia Vireo as well as a nice assortment of warblers here. Arrive early and, from the fishermen's parking lot, continue walking east for about 0.5 mile along Groft Road which is a good vantage point for the lake. The shrubbery along the lakeshore often harbors Gray Catbird and Yellow Warbler in addition to migrants. The shallow end of the lake frequently yields Great Blue and Green herons, Belted Kingfisher, and Spotted Sandpiper. Where Getty Run enters the lake, remain on the road and start watching the trees for migrant warblers. On a good morning, it is not uncommon to find 15 to 20 warbler species as well as vireos and other migrants along Groft Road. Just past the park road on the right check the shrubbery for warblers. Orange-crowned Warbler has been found here twice. Return to the park road and walk down the little grade to Getty Run Trail which will take you back toward the main part of the park. Getty Run Trail has many branches, but they are all productive. Take your time and wander slowly. Mourning Warbler has been seen multiple times at this end of the trail along the stream to your left. In late September and early October Connecticut Warbler have been found along this trail near the power line on multiple occasions. As you approach the lake, watch for cherry trees in fall for Swainson's Thrush among the many robins and Cedar Waxwing. Cuckoos have often been noted in the low trees near the end of the trail. When you once again reach the shallow end of the lake, you have several options. You may either return directly to your vehicle or you may continue your walk around the lake. On the south side of the lake, Aspen Trail and the PCC Trail, accessed from the road to the lodge, are good for nesting Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. Although the lake is small there are occasional records of various water birds including Wood Duck, American Black Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, and American Coot. Single records exist for American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, and Red-breasted Merganser. A few nesting species include Ruffed Grouse, Broad-winged Hawk, Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Kentucky Warbler, and Hooded Warbler. |
DIRECTIONS: From Indiana, go north on US 119 for about 6.5 miles and take the Creekside exit and watch for PA 110 on the right. Take PA 110 west for 3 miles and, just before the town of Ernest, turn right onto Blue Spruce Road. Follow Blue Spruce Road up the hill and down the other side past the park entrance on the right to the next road on the right, Groft Road (TR 494). Follow Groft for about 500 feet and pull off in the gravel on the right, or you may continue to the fishermen's parking lot just ahead on the left. (This parking lot is gated until 7:00 a.m. and sometimes later.) From this parking lot you can access Getty Run, Overlook, and Vista Ridge Trails. |
|
Maps - other than Google (Click on map for larger view)
|
|
Sub-sites |
Photos |
| Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00 Updated: |
