The park can be entered from the south at 7840 W. The peninsular tree line attracts songbirds in high numbers during peak spring migration just walking the perimeter of the parking lot and access road can be very good birding. Ice Skating Pond: /hotspot/L1152431įrom late April through mid-May, plan to arrive at or within 30 minutes of sunrise to observe warblers, flycatchers, and vireos foraging for insects. Scoping when the trees are bare can yield distant-yet-extended looks at loons, mergansers, scaups, and grebes.Įagle Creek Park: /hotspot/L157179 Check the cattails in the main pond for sly Least and American Bitterns, Sora, Virginia Rail, and Common Gallinule while listening for Marsh Wren.īirders flock to the Marina between fall and spring for its easy access and 180-degree views of the reservoir. Walking around the shrubs and ponds slowly and thoroughly is the best strategy, so allow yourself 45-90 minutes at this location. The habitat is suitable for a variety of species from season to season, although birding is most rewarding in late spring and early fall. Allow at least 90 minutes when birding Coffer Dam in its entirety. Tucked back off 62nd Street, the Ice-Skating Pond area includes a larger main pond and two smaller adjacent ones. When starting the loop from the Ornithology Center, you can choose to walk north around the dam or go south from the parking lot using Edesess Trail. The loop can begin/end either from the North Gate parking area or from the Ornithology Center. The Coffer Dam is a 2-mile loop around the bird sanctuary, well-liked by birders, hikers, runners, and anglers for outstanding reservoir views. Watch the feeders between fall and early spring for Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, and an assortment of sparrows and woodpeckers. Inside, you'll find displays, taxidermy birds, and a cozy view of the center's bird feeding stations. In winter months, using your own optics or the ones provided, check the sanctuary islands from the outdoor viewing platform or from the indoor observatory while staying warm. ![]() ![]() ![]() It overlooks a bird sanctuary enclosed by the Coffer Dam, where ducks, geese, cormorants, gulls, and herons rest. You can essentially bird from anywhere within the park, but there are four notable highlights: the Ornithology Center, Coffer Dam, Ice Skating Pond, and Marina. The Ornithology Center (a short distance from the North Gate at 71st street) is where you can find trail maps and learn of recent sightings. The park's large reservoir and 3,900 acres of deciduous woods, ponds, mudflats, scrubs and grasslands offer year-round encounters with resident and migrant birds.
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