Imperial/Bald Knob
Potato Garden Run Road

 

Directions:  Continue on Potato Garden Run Road passing Boggs Road on the right at 0.5 miles which leads to the Imperial Landfill and the Montour Bike Trail (you can turn right here, passing the entrance to the Imperial Landfill, and bear right onto Bugay Lane to park in the bike trail parking lot. The trail goes through more grassland if you want to hike along it for additional birding). Eventually, you will see marsh on the right side of the road. Willow Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Yellow Warbler, Swamp Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird nest around the marsh. This marsh runs the length of the road and, although it is polluted with mine drainage, there are a series of beaver dams throughout the marsh. Warbling Vireo and Scarlet Tanager can be found in the tall trees here. Orchard and Baltimore orioles can be found in good numbers on the left side of the road, opposite the marsh. Eventually the road intersects with Burgesttown Road (at 1.7 miles) where the tour began. The area around this intersection is a good place to listen for American Woodcock and Great Horned Owl in early spring. White-eyed Vireo can be found in the roadside brush along with numerous Yellow Warbler. Large numbers of Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle stage in the marsh in late summer and fall. In February and March, small flocks of Red-winged Blackbird roost in the marsh. They gather at dusk and the flocks sometimes contain a few Brown-headed Cowbird and Rusty Blackbird. The flocks are worth checking for a possible Brewer's Blackbird. The field across the marsh is a good place to look for flocks of Wild Turkey. Turkeys can be found almost anywhere in the area at all times of the year. To leave the area, turn right and travel for 0.8 miles to Imperial and Burgettstown Road. Turn right and the road will end at US 30. Turn right onto US 30 to return to the US 22 interchange. Using maps, many of the roads in the area can be explored further for similar birds and similar habitats. The Imperial area continually offers surprises and species not found anywhere else in Allegheny County.

 

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