| Berks |
| DESCRIPTION: Open, rolling farmland fields that attract breeding grassland birds during the spring and summer. A very low variety of birds breed in this open habitat. However, Horned Lark, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, and Eastern Meadowlark regularly attempt to nest here. Horned Larks are the rarest of the grassland birds. Often there will be no evidence of larks until hearing their song well after sunset. Horned Larks will be paired up prior to the arrival of the first Eastern Meadowlarks during March. Grasshopper Sparrows and Bobolinks are the last to arrive and maximum birdsong may not be heard until June. Walk along Monument Road early or late in the day. Timing is critical as mid-morning or early evenings are often totally quiet. It is important to know the songs of these birds prior to a visit. Savannah Sparrows have a particularly quiet song that has little carrying power. Direct evidence of nesting is difficult to observe, however it is not uncommon for fledged sparrows followed by an adult to walk along the edges of the road during July. |
DIRECTIONS: To reach the grasslands travel east on State Street from the intersection of Fourth and State Street in Hamburg (will become Old Route 22) until reaching Monument Road at 2.7 miles. Turn right onto Monument Road, go 0.2 mile and park where it intersects with Bleile Road. There will be just enough room for one vehicle to park. As an alternative, continue straight ahead for 0.7 miles and park on the outside of the 90 degree right-hand turn. Do not bird these grasslands from your vehicle as there is little shoulder along the narrow road. The only way to properly bird the area is by walking along the road. Walk along Monument Road from Bleile Road until reaching the 90 degree right-hand turn. The majority of the grasslands occur along this area on both sides of the road. Pay extreme attention to traffic as the road is narrow with reduced visibility caused by the rolling hills. A few Vesper Sparrows may be found away from Monument Road by traveling Bleile Road for 0.75 mile and turn right on Sunday Road Go 0.46 mile and turn left on Hess Road. Go 0.77 mile and turn left on Clauss Road. Vesper Sparrows as well as other grassland sparrows are always present along Hess and Clauss Road. |
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| Posted: 2009-11-24 00:00:00 Updated: |
