Whether you're looking for something to do on the weekends with your loved ones or have visitors in from out of town, why not explore the town's surrounding beautiful parks and other serene nature spots? It's a weekend well spent sporting unique feathered creatures with your friends and family.
Our team at Ciocca CDJR has compiled a list of the best places for bird-watching around Hanover, Pennsylvania. Try to plan your outings for mid-March because that's typically the peak time to look for unique and familiar birds in the sky as they migrate for the season.
Codorus State Park
Visit Codorus State Park for some awesome bird-watching. Here, you're likely to see common Atlantic Flyway waterbirds. There are many areas around the park you can enjoy gazing into nature to spot a fabulous birds. For example, look up at the spruce trees along the Ranger Trail to see if any majestic owls perched above you. Other hot spot locations include the main launch area, LaHo trail, and Marina area. Additionally, if you peer under the Black Rock Road Bridge, you may discover Cliff Swallow nests, a neat sight.
Some water birds that others have seen on their watch adventure at this state park include:
- Grebe.
- Eared Grebe.
- Red-throated Loon.
- Pacific Loon.
- American White Pelican.
Don't forget to bring your binoculars and a journal to document the exciting sights you see along the way. While bird watching is fun, it's essential to know if you're headed to the park during hunting season. This park permits individuals to hunt for animals, so make sure you wear orange for your safety. Codorus State Park is large, so you can arrive early to cover all the ground. Or, you can make it an activity that lasts several days to take your time getting to know the area.
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset.
- Location: Marina Drive, Hanover
Conejohela Flats Important Birding Area
Get a superb bird-watching view at Conejohela Flats Important Birding Area in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, about a 50-minute drive. On the Susquehanna River, small brushy islands and adjacent mud flats form this peak wildlife area. Thousands of shorebirds fly over this location each year because it's part of the Atlantic Flyway. In addition to this location being an important place for birds, making it a popular spot to see them, you can do your bird-watching via kayak. The birding area's website offers a paddling guide to help you get around the islands and make the most of your trip.
Look out for these familiar feathered creatures:
- Northern harrier.
- Osprey.
- Peregrine falcon.
- Pied-billed grebe.
- Prothonotary warbler.
If you wish to explore the area with the kayak route or take your boat, there's some critical information to note. For example, you must access the water from one of the two designated boat launches — Zimmerman Center for Heritage or Blue Rock Access. Entering at Blye Rock Access requires your boat to display a current permit for Pennsylvania non-powered launch.
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset.
- Location: Wrightsville section of the Susquehanna River.
Samuel S. Lewis State Park
Samuel S. Lewis State Park has 85 acres to explore and look for fantastic birds. This state park is in York, Pennsylvania, about a 35-minute drive, and it's worth seeing some majestic sights and wildlife action. One area you may see some fascinating feathered creatures is the highest point in the park, the 885-foot-high ridge, which divides northern Kreutz Creek Valley and the southern East Prospect Valley. When you climb this mountain, not only may you see various birds along the way, but at the top, there's a breathtaking view of the Susquehanna River.
During your exploration of Samuel S. Lewis State Park, here are some common birds you might see fly by:
- Chimney swift.
- Ruby-throated hummingbird.
- Yellow-billed cuckoo.
- Bald eagle.
- Great horned owl.
Additionally, it's essential to know the birds you can see at the park often can change with the time of year. This park also has a lovely view of the starry night sky. So once it's too dark to look for birds, you may attend a star gazing event, often held by the community's local clubs and organizations.
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset.
- Address: 6000 Mount Pisgah Road, York.
Gifford Pinchot State Park
Take a trip to Gifford Pinchot State Park in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, about a 45-minute drive. When you come to bird-watch at this state park in York County, you won't be disappointed because there are several opportunities to glimpse a fine feathered friend as the park is home to many trees. Take your time exploring the 2,338 acres, including various trails and scenic locations. Additionally, this park has many wildlife species throughout the year, though they may change with the seasons, limiting when you can see them on your adventure.
In general, you're likely to see various species, such as:
- Forest birds.
- Warblers.
- Vireos.
- Snow geese.
- Thrushes.
Come during the winter for your best chances to see one of the seven species of woodpeckers in action. However, spring and fall are peak times to see many bird types during migration seasons.
- Hours: Daily from sunrise to sunset.
- Address: 2200 Rosstown Road, Lewisberry.
So there you have it, our team's top four recommendations on where you can go bird-watching around Hanover, Pennsylvania. Please tell us what you think about our list and if we missed any of your favorite spots by contacting us. Here at Ciocca CDJR, we pride ourselves on listening to and valuing our customer's opinions.
Before heading to one of these nature spots, visit our dealership while you're in the area. Talk with our sales team experts about the best ways to take care of your vehicle during the winter, or browse our new and pre-owned inventory. Whatever you drop by us for, we want to help ensure you have a satisfying experience with us.
Image by Kayla Farmer is licensed with Unsplash License