| Union Lycoming |
| DESCRIPTION: Located in Lycoming and Union counties, the 3000-acre SGL 252 is an old army ordnance depot that was abandoned and turned over to the PGC. What was once a mostly cleared area with ammunition bunkers has now grown up into brushy fields and woodlots surrounding a number of swampy ponds. It attracts a wide variety of nesting species, most notably Blue-winged and Golden-winged warblers and their hybrids. Shorebirds and waders can be found in late summer. The area can be hiked easily along the many flat, abandoned roadways throughout the game lands. A map is highly recommended. The map will also show where the ponds are located, which are well worth checking. Some of the ponds are closed from February to June as Propagation Areas, so watch for the signs that designate closed areas. |
DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of US 15 and PA 44, go west on PA 44 for 4.3 miles and turn right (north) on Mill Road. Go 1.4 miles to a T intersection with Alvira Road and turn right (east). Go about 0.4 mile to the parking area on the left and walk north on the road at least up to the pond on the left side of the trail. Continue on Alvira Road about 0.3 mile to a large pond on the right which can be good for shorebirds in late summer. Go 0.2 mile and walk down the road on the right for Golden-winged Warbler. Alvira Road ends in about another mile. Walk the trails to the south and west of this point for migrant passerines. This section can also be reached from an access road and parking area off PA 44. The large pond at the northeast corner of the gamelands can be good for post-breeding wandering waders in August. From the Intersection of Mill Road and Alvira Road, go west on Alvira Road for 1.3 miles and turn right on Ridge Road. Go 1.8 miles to the parking area on the right. Walk south across the fields to the gate which gives access to the pond. |
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Maps - other than Google (Click on map for larger view)
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| Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00 Updated: 2009-11-05 00:00:00 |
