Harrison Hills Park
| Allegheny |
| DESCRIPTION: This 500-acre park is notable as a migrant "collector" and for a remarkable variety of nesting habitats. The park's potency for concentrating landbird migrants in spring and fall arises from its ridge-like prominence on high steep bluffs above the Allegheny River. The opportunity to encounter waves of flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, warblers, sparrows, and finches is as good as anywhere in the southwestern counties. Habitats include extensive deciduous woodlands, old fields, shrubby slopes, broad grassy areas, plentiful "edge," a rich pond, and two streams that meander through the woods then plunge down to the river in deep ravines. One site of special interest is the pond, where the open area is best to see Red-shouldered Hawk. Orchard Oriole and Purple Finch have nested on the east slope, and the surrounding meadows to the north and west feature nesting Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Tree Swallow, and Eastern Bluebird. The more common waders, dabbling ducks, shorebirds and swallows are often present in migration. Another important spot is the scenic river overlook, where updrafts on the high bluffs create a minor but sometimes productive hawk-watch site for migrating Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned, Cooper's and Red-tailed hawks, and rarely Osprey, Northern Goshawk, and Merlin. Waterfowl, gulls, kingfishers, and other migrants using the river are often visible from here. Most productive of many trails are: (1) along the cliff's edge, where you can look clown at singing Cerulean Warbler and other treetop species. This ridgetop path is good for migrating vireos and warblers, and the hillside features Black-and-white and Hooded warblers in the nesting season. (2) traversing weedy fields, shrubby meadows and varied groves. Nesting specialties include White-eyed Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, plus American Woodcock in the damp bottomlands. (3) through streamside woods and thickets. These have consistently offered the best waves of migrating flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, warblers and other passerines. Woodland nesters here include Acadian Flycatcher, American Redstart, Kentucky and Hooded warblers. A steep hike from the trail's end down the streambed to the river will lead to Louisiana Waterthrush and perhaps Yellow-throated Warbler. (4) through upland woods. Red-bellied, Hairy, and Pileated woodpeckers are usually conspicuous. Broad-winged Hawk, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Yellow-throated Vireo are among the diverse nesters. Open 8:00 a.m. to dusk, Harrison Hills offers many play areas, picnic tables, grills. shelters, restrooms, and ample parking. Only one trail is marked with yellow blazes, but all are usually well maintained, generally dry, mildly sloped, and easily followed. |
DIRECTIONS: From Pittsburgh take PA 28 north to Exit 16, go right for 0.5 mile to Freeport Road (old 28), then go right again less than 1 mile to the park entrance. |
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| Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00 Updated: |
