Nestle Way Retention Ponds (Foglesville Industrial Park Ponds)
Lehigh
DESCRIPTION: Retention ponds in an industrial park. As of 2009 these ponds are the only reliable locations for migrating shorebirds in Lehigh County. Occasionally migrating ducks will turn up here, with both species of teal being the most likely. Tree and Rough-winged swallows which nest nearby are present during breeding season and migration, and other swallow species may turn up.

DIRECTIONS: From Exit 49 of I-78, head south on PA 100 for approx. 0.5 miles to the intersection with Schantz Rd. (there is a Wawa on the corner). Turn right onto Schantz Rd. and travel 0.9 miles to the traffic light with Nestle Way. Turn right onto Nestle Way and continue about 1.5 miles to the retention pond #1 at 860 Nestle Way (on your right). The pond is not visible from the road, but is behind a grass-covered embankment. Do not stop on Nestle Way - pull into one of the side roads. 861 Nestle Way is the building across the street from this retention pond and behind 861 Nestle Way is another retention pond (#2). Climb up the small embankment at 860 Nestle Way and scope the edges of the pond for shorebirds. Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers breed and should be present. The more common non-breeding sandpipers such as Solitary, Least, and both yellowlegs (lesser is far more common) are probable during migration. Baird's and Semipalmated sandpipers and Wilson's Snipe have been seen at nearby flooded fields, so these are always possible. Mallards will be the most likely duck, but teal are present for much of migration and other duck species could be present, most likely as strays from Foglesville Quarry. After checking this pond, drive back east on Nestle Way for a short distance, turn right into 861 Nestle Way and drive behind the building. Do not enter the fenced-in truck parking area. Climb the embankment and scan this pond for the same species. This was the pond where the 2007 black-necked stilt was re-found after if moved from Schantz Rd. A pair of Blue-winged Teal stayed here during the 2008 breeding season as well. One additional location which may have shorebirds on migration is a cornfield located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Schantz Rd. and Boulder Dr. (approx. 0.25 mile from the intersection of Schantz Rd. with PA 100). A low point in this field floods after extended rainy periods. This was where the 2007 stilt was originally found. Baird's Sandpiper has also been found here and American Golden Plovers were reported in fall 2009. The more common migrant shorebirds may also be present.

 

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Posted: 2009-11-05 00:00:00
Updated: