Codorus State Park
| York |
| DESCRIPTION: Codorus State Park is located in southern York County near Hanover. PA 216 runs through the heart of the park. Upon entering the park from the Hanover side, you may wish to stop at the Park Office and pick up a map which plainly illustrates the areas discussed below. A bird checklist provided by the Codorus Bird Club is available on request. Codorus State Park offers an excellent variety of habitats in easily accessible areas. For waterfowl enthusiasts, the large 1,275-acre deep-water lake attracts a variety of species during spring and fall migration. Common Loon have been present year-round for many years (no nesting, just summer lingerers). Best areas for viewing waterfowl are from the Hoff Road Overlook near "the Rocks," Smith Station Sailboat Launch at "Hidden Cove," the Multi-media Center at the end of Marina Road, and the Main Launch Area off Sinsheim Road. Ducks, gulls, terns, and shorebirds often cluster about Long Island and Round Island. Franklin's Gull has occurred here, as has the Pennsylvania state record Ross' Gull (October 8-11, 1991). Because the park is a cooperative venture between the state and P.H. Glatfelter Paper Co. of Spring Grove which draws water from Lake Marburg to operate the paper mill, most years offer migrating shorebirds ample space along the 26-mile shoreline to rest and refuel for the next leg of their journey. By fall of most years the paper company has drawn down the water level to the point that fishermen are unable to launch boats or fish the shoreline due to algae growth, so the mud flats belong to the birds and birders in the best shorebird spot of all, Black Rock Flats. Marburg Flats is also very productive. Mary Ann Furnace Trail, running from Black Rock Road to the Campground, begins with a short boardwalk through a marsh. Continue through mixed hardwoods bearing left at each intersection and eventually the trail will parallel the lake as you pass through a pine plantation. Cross the bridge below the campground, bear right and you will pass through another marsh. Bear right as the trail intersects an old farm lane and circle a regenerating farm field. At the top right of the old field, you will reenter the hardwoods. Bear left at your first intersection. This path will take you back out to the boardwalk. This trail is approximately 3 miles long and passes through several habitats enabling you to tally a good variety of species. Birders from elsewhere in the state might be interested to know that Blue Grosbeak, a southern Pennsylvania specialty, occurs in Codorus State Park. LaHo Trail located at the second bridge on PA 216 is shorter, but offers similar habitats. The Old Landfill (Cross-country skiing/snowmobile area off Bankert Road) has reached early successional forest stage and is excellent for America Woodcock, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown Thrasher, Indigo Bunting, and Prairie Warbler. This area has trails which loop into circles. Although only 100 acres in size, for the directionally-challenged among us, it is easy to become disoriented. Hikers may walk the bridle trail (Ranger Trail) which is broken into 4 sections meandering along the shoreline off Sinsheim Road down toward the breast of the dam. Another short section is accessed from PA 216 across from Marburg Flats. The park is open to hunting during fall and winter. Check maps for safety zones or wear bright colors. Waterfowl hunting is also popular at the park and this keeps the birds on the move once the season has opened. Some gates are locked after 1 November. You may park outside and enter on foot, but do not block gates. The park has the largest Bluebird Trail Monitors program in the state with 160 boxes. There is also an active Purple Martin colony which was established by a local volunteer. Two hundred and twenty-five species have been reported in the park to date. |
DIRECTIONS: From York, go south on I-83 to Exit 8. Go west on PA 216 approximately 18 miles to the park. |
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| Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00 Updated: |
