Bird Watching in Lancaster, PA

Have you seen the movie “The Big Year”, with Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black? It’s an intriguing movie about birding where these bird enthusiasts set aside everything in their lives to see how many different types of birds they can see in one year. This would be a great movie to bring with you on your trip to Lancaster County. After you watch it, you can have a friendly competition with your travel partner by visiting parks and birding trails to see who can spot the most birds. To spice things up, the winner can choose where they would like to be treated for a dinner of their choice. With the amount of birding conservatories in Lancaster County, you just might be surprised at how big your list will be!

Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your adventures:

Muhlenberg Native Plant and Wildflower Meadow: This meadow is located within Lancaster County Central Park. Don’t forget to visit the Farmhouse to catch a glimpse of the Baltimore Oriole and the Eastern Kingbird. There have also been sightings of the Red Tailed Hawk, so keep your eyes open!

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area: Download the self-guided driving tour to get the most out of your trip. You’ll travel through fields, ponds, grasslands, and marshes while looking out for the Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, Osprey, Hawks, and Eastern Meadow Larks.

Chickies Rock County Park: This park includes trails and a large rock outcrop overlooking the Susquehanna river. Watch for Bald Eagles, Double-crested Cormorants, and migrating songbirds.

Speedwell Forge Park: Hiking trails surrounding a lake lead to marsh areas that are great for seeing migrating waterfowl, Great Egrets, and Black-crowned Night Herons.


So grab your checklists, a bird identification book, and set out to see what beauties you discover during your “Big Vacation” in Lancaster County!