Birding Hotspots
Chester County
Coventry Woods Park
Situated in a rural area in northern Chester county, this 700-acre township-owned park consists of mostly mature deciduous forest dotted with springs, creeks, and fields. As a part of the Hopewell Big Woods, many deep woods species of birds not commonly seen in other areas of the county can be found here, including Ovenbirds, Hooded Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, and a variety of thrushes in season.
610.323.1694
1954 Saint Peters Road, Pottstown, PA 19465
Hibernia County Park
Composed of over 900 acres of wooded hillsides, fields, creeks and the 94-acre Chamber Lake, this park has almost everything a bird could want, which is why over 200 species have been recorded here. The lake is an especially good spot for sighting waterfowl in the winter and shorebirds during the fall migration.
1 Park Rd., Coatesville, PA 19320
Black Rock Sanctuary
Located along a bend in the Schuylkill River, this former desilting basin is now managed for wildlife habitat and public use. A 0.8-mile ADA-accessible trail allows explorations of the wetlands, a mile-long earthen trail circles the expansive meadow, and a 0.75-mile trail traverses the basin, allowing plenty of access for birders to look for some of the 175 species that have been recorded here.
935 Black Rock Road (Route 113) Phoenixville, PA 19460
Wolf's Hollow County Park
Mature woodland habitat with bluffs that overlook the Octoraro Creek and glades full of mountain laurel are prime habitat for a number of woodland birds not often seen elsewhere in this southwestern part of Chester County. Ten miles of trails through forest, meadow, and along a trickling stream allow for exploration of this rustic 569-acre park, which first opened in 2010.
610.932.2589
1399 Schoff Road, Atglen, PA 19310
Rushton Woods Preserve
Bird conservation is a main focus of the Willistown Conservation Trust, which owns and operates Rushton Woods Preserve as well as the nearby Ashbridge and Kirkwood Preserves, all of which are open to the public. Bird banding, bird monitoring, and habitat restoration are primary initiatives at WCT, which also holds a conservation easement on the 180-acre Okehocking Preserve, a scant ½ mile away and which also offers excellent birding.
610.353.2562
911 Delchester Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073
ChesLen Preserve
Containing portions of the Unionville Serpentine Barrens, a rare and declining habitat which harbors at least 15 species of rare plants, this preserve is also home to more than 175 species of birds, including 14 species of sparrows and birds of open grasslands such as Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks.
1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, PA 19320
Crow’s Nest Preserve
Adjacent to French Creek State Park, Hopewell Furnace NHS, and State Game Lands 43, Crow’s Nest Preserve is part of one of the largest areas of protected land in the region. Part of the Hay Creek/French Creek Forest Block Important Bird Area, more than 150 species of birds have been recorded in this preserve of farmland and streamside forest.
201 Piersol Road, Elverson, PA 19520
Exton Park
One of the most popular and heavily birded spots in Southeastern PA, this park is notable for its pond and adjacent wetlands which serve as an important breeding ground and migration stopover in an intensely developed area. Weekly bird walks here are hosted by the Friends of Exton Park.
610.363.9525 Ext. 2131
615 Swedesford Rd. Exton, PA 19341
Pickering Creek Trail
The two short trails that make up the Pickering Trail system are owned by Charlestown Township and follow the Pickering Creek. With a total length of less than 1 ½ miles, this is a favorite area for spotting warblers during migration, with 32 species having been recorded during the month of May. Limited parking is available at three access points along the trail including Charlestown Rd, Pickering Dam Rd, and Route 29.
Charlestown Township
Warwick County Park
This 535-acre northern Chester County park includes dense hardwood forest, wetlands, meadows, and riparian areas along a section of French Creek, an “exceptional value” stream. This varied habitat attracts a diversity of birds year-round, including Rusty Blackbirds in the winter. During breeding season six types of flycatchers, four types of vireos, and ten types of warblers including American Redstarts, Northern Parulas, and Kentucky Warblers have been spotted.
191 County Park Road, Pottstown, PA 19465
Marsh Creek State Park
This 1,705-acre park contains Marsh Creek Lake, at 535-acres the largest and deepest lake in Chester County, which provides an important migration rest stop and winter refuge for waterfowl. The surrounding mudflats, fields, and woods provide habitat for more than 240 species of migrants and year-round residents. In winter the lake is a good spot to find gulls, grebes, and coots as well as waterfowl.
675 Park Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
Nottingham Park
Part of the State Line Barrens Important Bird Area, this accessible park near the Maryland border protects a globally rare ecosystem comprised of serpentine rock oak-pine barrens, savannahs, prairies, and many unique plants. Along with the nearby Goat Hill and Chrome Barrens, this is a marvelous spot to see several breeding bird species that are rare elsewhere in SE PA, including the Yellow-breasted Chat and Prairie and Pine Warblers.
150 Park Road, Nottingham, PA 19362
Bryn Coed Preserve
Established in 2017, more than 125 species of birds have already been recorded at this new preserve, a mixture of agricultural fields, wet meadows, and woodlands which include the headwaters of Pickering Creek. The bryn coed – “tree hill” in Welsh – for which the preserve is named is home to a pair of breeding Bald Eagles, whose nest is visible from one of the trails a short walk from the parking area.
1869 Flint Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425
White Clay Creek Preserve
This expansive 1255-acre preserve along the Delaware border protects the watershed of White Clay Creek, a National Wild and Scenic River. Multi-use trails explore 8 miles of riparian habitats as well as wooded uplands. Warblers abound during migration, with 30 species having been recorded here.
405 Sharpless Road, Landenberg, PA 19350
Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve
Owned and operated by the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust and containing the historic remnants of Warwick Furnace, this new 108-acre mosaic of woods, fields, wetlands, and stunning scenery opened to the public in 2019 and contains a 1-mile rolling trail for exploration. In 2020 the Trust also opened the nearby 550-acre Great Marsh Uplands Preserve, home to birds of the deep woods and explored via a hilly 3-mile loop trail.
Warwick Furnace Rd & Valley Way Rd, Glenmoore, PA 19343