| Lancaster |
| DESCRIPTION: This chain of wooded and brushy islands and connecting mudflats just off shore from the settlement of Washington Boro is one of the best shorebird and birding spots in Pennsylvania. However access is difficult. The flats can be birded from shore using a scope, but much better birding is done by going out to the islands on a boat that can be launched at the Blue Rock Road boat launch. The water level is dam-controlled and regulated to always have mudflats and shorebird habitat from April through October. In late February or early March, many thousands of Tundra Swan congregate on the Flats. During the winter months, species to be expected include Bald Eagle, Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, and Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed gulls. The Susquehanna River is a major migration corridor, and many species that normally fly over the area may be forced down in bad weather, making this an especially good area. Large flocks of puddle ducks are seen in March through early April. At the end of March Bonaparte's Gull can be seen on their northward journey. Little Gulls are regular along this stretch of river from the last week of March into May. In late April and throughout May, shorebirds dominate the scene. and 33 species have been recorded between April and November. Caspian and Forster's terns are seen in small numbers, and occasionally Common and Black terns are tallied. Black Tern is a regular rare migrant in spring and an uncommon fall migrant. Herons and egrets disperse from their nesting areas and seek the shallow, protected waters of the Flats in mid-July. Great Blue and Little Blue herons and Great and Snowy egrets are seen each year. White and Glossy ibises and Tricolored Heron are irregular. During the fall migration to mid-November, the flats have their greatest variety and it is the time during which most rarities have occurred. Willet, Hudsonian Godwit, Red Knot, Long-billed Dowitcher are seen about every other year, and Ruff less often. Ruddy Turnstone, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Sanderling, Western, White-rumped, Baird's, Buff-breasted, and Stilt sandpipers, and Short-billed Dowitcher are tallied in small numbers each year or nearly so. All the other common to uncommon shorebirds, except Upland Sandpiper and American Woodcock, are also seen annually. In late August to mid-September this is the best place in the state to find Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Each year Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Sora, Laughing Gull, Caspian, Common, and Forster's terns, and Marsh Wren are observed. Less regular is Nelson 's Sparrow. Rarities noted during the fall migration include Sandhill Crane and Sabine's and Franklin's gulls. From late October through November look for Red-throated Loon, Horned Grebe, and waterfowl. |
DIRECTIONS: Washington Boro can be reached by driving west on PA 999 from Millersville or south on PA 441 from Columbia. There is a small, unpaved parking area where PA 999 and PA 441 meet near the river's edge. The large, wooded island directly across from the parking lot is Rookery Island, formerly a nesting area for Cattle Egret and Black-crowned Night-Heron. To the right are small and large partially-wooded islands that often have exposed mudflats around them. Continue south on PA 441 for 0.87 mile. Turn right at Blue Rock Road and park in the parking lot before the railroad tracks. The boat launch is across the railroad tracks. You can launch your boat from here or scan the flats. The prime spot to scan is known as Avocet Point, and consists of a sandy/muddy spit on the southeast corner of Seaside Island. During migration, it is often manned by local birders and includes a bird-blind. Another vantage point of the open water down river from the Flats can be reached by driving south on PA 441. At 0.3 mile beyond Anchor Road, there is a small parking area on either side of the road. Park here and walk toward the river on an old roadbed. The wooded area along the roadbed and near the river can be interesting for land birds. The railroad tracks and the right-of-way are off-limits to everyone. You can observe from the boat launching ramp at Blue Rock Road and at Washington Boro, but do not walk or drive down the service road next to the tracks. A final vantage point requires a longer drive, but it is often well worth the effort. From the intersection of PA 999 and PA 441, head north on PA 441 for 3.6 miles to the intersection of PA 462. Turn left and cross the river into York County. Take the first right, then turn right again on PA 624. After 3.2 miles, check the large expanse of water lying west of the Conejohela Flats. You may continue south for several miles, stopping at various intervals to scope the river, all of which lies in Lancaster County. This area can be particularly good during winter, as well as spring and fall migrations, especially during and immediately after bad weather. The link for finding the water level information is: www.shwpc.com/includes/sh_levels.htm |
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| Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00 Updated: 2010-01-20 00:00:00 |
