| Dauphin Lebanon Schuylkill |
| DESCRIPTION: Stony Creek Valley is a roadless area of approximately 90 square miles in central Dauphin and northern Lebanon Counties, bounded on the north by PA 325, on the south by PA 443, and extending from just east of the town of Dauphin east to Gold Mine Road, south of Tower City. Most of the area is contained within SGL 211. Access to the area is from an abandoned railroad bed running the entire length of the valley or from several trails, including the Appalachian Trail. To avoid getting lost in Stony Valley, it is a good idea to use a GPS. Stony Creek Valley is primarily secondary deciduous woodland with small areas of pine woodland and some fairly large patches of swampy hemlock and mixed woodland. There is one large plantation of mixed pine on top of Sharp Mountain and a few small grain fields and brushy areas maintained by the PGC. Winter is a period of quiet in Stony Valley. Although birds are few, there have been some winters in which flocks of 100-500 Common Redpoll have wandered through the valley. Migration of landbirds is very good. Migration tends to be better in the western end of the valley; probably the Susquehanna River at the western end of the region serves as a major highway channeling the birds north and south. The major attractions of this area, at least for southeastern Pennsylvania birders, are northern breeding species. Since most are at the southern edge of their breeding ranges, they are less common than they would be in a comparable area further north. Nevertheless, if you enjoy hiking and can spend some time, you will see many species not found in summer south of Blue Mountain. Northern species to be looked for in summer include Northern Goshawk (rare), Ruffed Grouse, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (very rare), Least Flycatcher (mostly Clark's Valley), Cliff Swallow (Marquette Lake and Dehart Dam), Common Raven, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren (Raush Run), Hermit Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo (fairly common), Nashville Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler (rare), Black-throated Green Warbler (fairly common), Magnolia Warbler, Northern Waterthrush (rare), Chestnut-sided Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Other birds of interest to be looked for include Barred Owl (common), Pileated Woodpecker, Wild Turkey (common, but hard to find), Cooper's, Sharp-shinned, and Red-shouldered hawks, both cuckoos, Whip-poor-will, Yellow-throated Vireo, Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler (abundant, but hard to see in laurel thickets), Worm-eating Warbler, and Pine Warbler (rare). Edge habitat in Stony Creek Valley is the best area locally to find the Blue-winged/Golden-winged Warbler hybrids. The parent Blue-winged is fairly common in the region while the Golden-winged is scarce. Brewster's Warbler has been found at both ends of the valley, while the rarer Lawrence's Warbler has been found at two sites at the western end of the valley near the road along Stony Creek just outside the SGL. Also of interest in the Stony Creek Valley region are the non-feathered animals. One which can be found fairly easily if you leave the railroad bed and travel the less-used side trails is the Timber Rattlesnake. Although not especially aggressive, they are large enough to be very dangerous if provoked. This snake is usually seen or heard before one is too close, while the other poisonous snake of the area, the Copperhead, is the color of fallen leaves and is often unnoticed. Mammals in Stony Valley are also of note, although rarely seen. Black Bear and Coyote are actually fairly common, while Bobcat is probably regular but almost never seen. |
DIRECTIONS: The west end is reached from US 322 north of Harrisburg. From Harrisburg, go north on US22/US 322 and take the PA 225 exit. Go about 0.5 mile and, where PA 225 makes a hard left turn, turn right (south) on Claster Boulevard(note: there are two roads that go to the left on this turn. Take the first one.) Go 0.6 mile and turn left on Erie Street. Go 0.1 mile and turn left (east) on Stony Creek Road. All of the mileages below are measured from this intersection. At 1.7 miles (N 40.3805, W 76.9054) there is a power line cut. Park on the south side of the road cross the road and walk north along the cut. This area is good for both cuckoos, White-eyed Vireo, and Prairie Warbler. Continue past the sub-station (walk on right) to a gas pipeline. Go right here and follow the pipeline right-of-way to Hahn Road. Make a right on Hahn Road to return to Stony Creek Road, and then right again to return to the parking area. Other species to look for here include Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue-winged, and Brewster's warbler. Alder Flycathcher are frequently seen here in migration. At 4.6 miles (N 40.3974, W 76.8585) there is another powerline cut. Park on the south side of the road. Both sides of the road are worth birding. On the north side, walking up the cut can yield edge species such as Blue-winged Warbler and White-eyed Vireo as well as Kentucky, Hooded, and Worm-eating warblers in the surrounding forest. On the south side a trail parallels the road for 0.2 mile up to the cul-de-sac where the paved road ends and a dirt roads begin (Note: the road name changes at this point to Ellendale Road). Just past the cul-de-sac on the left is an old lodge with several tall pines that attract migrant warblers. This area is also good for Worm-eating and Kentucky warblers and Yellow-throated Vireo. At 5.8 miles (N 40.4021, W 76.8378), Rattling Run Road (gated) goes to the left (north). Park here (do not block the road) and walk about 0.5 mile to look for Cerulean and other forest warblers. At 6.9 miles (N 40.4060, W 76.8184) the road is gated. In this area you can find Black-throated Green and Worm-eating warblers. You can park here and hike eastward. It is 11 miles to the next access area. The east end is reached from the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, located at Exit 85 of I-81 about 15 miles east of Harrisburg. From the exit, go north on PA 934 for 0.5 mile and turn left (west) on Asher Miner Road. Go 2.2 miles and turn left (west) on McLean Road. Go 0.9 mile and turn right (north) on Cold Spring Road. Follow this road up and over Second Mountain for 2.7 miles to the parking area. Note: This is the same road for going to the Second Mountain Hawk Watch, which you pass as you go over the Mountain. This road can be very rough. Park here, walk north and take the trail either east or west. The whole area is very birdy and is worth hiking if you have the time and energy. N 40.4774, W 76.6260 Another access point is located northeast off of PA 443. Continue north on I-81 and take Exit 90 for PA 72. Go north on PA 72 for 3.5 miles to PA 443. Continue north on PA 443 for 2.1 miles and turn left (north) on Gold Mine Road. Go 2.8 miles to the parking area. N 40.5262, W 76.5372 Just down the trail to the west is a Great Blue Heron rookery. Riparian species such as Louisiana Waterthrush and Acadian Flycatcher can be found here, and Northern Saw-whet Owl have been heard here in summer. To the east, Lebanon Reservoir (about 2.2 miles) is a good place to listen for Whip-poor-will. |
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| Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00 Updated: 2010-01-11 00:00:00 |
