This week’s blog post is a guest post by Tessa Rhinehart, daughter of TVTA board member Walt Rhinehart.
The Tunungwant Valley is a special place for all nature lovers, but is especially exciting for birdwatchers. Although most of the region was logged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, extensive vegetation has returned, supporting plenty of breeding and migratory birds. Pockets of old growth forest still exist, mixed in with sunny hardwood forests; cool, dark hemlock woods; riparian forest and scrub; and patches of swamp and agricultural land. The bird abundance is probably helped by the lack of people: this region is one of the least densely human-populated areas in the east.
Birds are not only abundant here, but also diverse. On some trails, it is just as easy to find a Hooded Warbler, a classic bird of the sunny, humid hardwood forests of southeastern United States, as it is to encounter a Magnolia Warbler, a delightful conifer-loving species that mostly breeds in Canada. This region serves as the nesting grounds for a few species that breed in only a handful of counties in the state, among them the unreal-sounding Swainson’s Thrush and fierce Northern Goshawk.
The Tuna Valley Trails give an excellent sampling of this variety of habitats and incredible bird life. I recently took hikes on 6 trails, taking note of the habitat, birds, and other animals throughout. I found that there is a trail for everyone, whether you’re a nature-lover out with your family, a seasoned birder looking for some uncommon species, or just a curious traveler wanting to experience some of what this region of Pennsylvania has to offer.
Crook Farm Trail
Amount walked: 2.91 miles – 2 hours and 35 minutes
Birds encountered: 44 species (my eBird checklist)
The Crook Farm Trail is a sunny, wide trail that allows nature lovers to get an “up close and personal” view of birds going about their lives. The trail is a pair of flat, wide gravel paths on either side of Tuna Creek, joined by bridges at both ends. Barn, Cliff, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows can be found here, the mud nests of the Barn and Cliff Swallows lining the bridges that cross over the trail. Outside of the paths, the trail is lined with low trees and shrubs, making it easy to watch Gray Catbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, and Common Grackles singing and chasing each other. I was also excited to hear a Willow Flycatcher and several species of warblers.
There is a good chance to see water-loving birds on this trail. When I visited, a Killdeer was calling in alarm beneath the bridges. In the water at the north end of the trail I saw families of Canada Geese, a big flock of Mallards, and a female Common Merganser. Three fish-loving species flew by in my time there: a Green Heron, an Osprey, and a Belted Kingfisher. In the spring and late summer, truly hardcore birders should check the ponds at the sewage treatment plant, which can be seen from this trail. Here, insects and crustaceans in the shallow, nutrient-rich water can support migratory shorebirds as they fuel up on their cross-continent journeys.
Richard E. McDowell Community Trail
Amount walked: 1.3 miles each way, 3 hours and 5 minutes
Species encountered: 41 (my eBird checklist)
Richard E. McDowell Community Trail borders the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The trail is not a loop, so I walked starting from the southern end on Clarks Lane, crossed Dorothy Lane, then walked to the parking lot on Campus Drive across from the athletic fields.
This paved, comfortable trail is popular with families and bike riders. From Clarks Lane, the trail winds northeast through the woods along Tuna Creek. The trees shade walkers from the summer sun and allow for close views of Gray Catbirds, Yellow Warblers, and Red-eyed Vireos. After crossing Dorothy Lane, I came upon a flock of Cedar Waxwings at eye level, fluttering above the stream in pursuit of insects. Farther along the trail, the low trees next to the Campus Drive parking lot allowed excellent looks at singing American Redstarts and Warbling Vireos.
Across Clarks Lane from the southern trail parking lot, a small swamp gave great viewing opportunities. A suspicious Red-winged Blackbird and Yellow Warbler checked me out, and a Green Heron stood alert, trying to blend in with the fallen logs. I also saw a Wood Duck and her fluffy young ones, which disappeared into the reeds at my approach. Other animals seen on this trail include a deer that crossed Clarks Lane, and an American Bullfrog in the shallow ponds near an old beaver lodge.
Marilla Reservoir Loop
Amount walked: 1.26 miles – 1 hour and 32 minutes
Birds encountered: 48 species (my eBird checklist)
Most of the locals know Marilla Reservoir for its serene fishing, but the birds here are quite special as well. The loop is surrounded with hemlocks, and so here one can find lots of birds associated with cooler northern climes, such as Red-breasted Nuthatches, Magnolia Warblers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and even Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Despite the dense hemlock cover, it was surprisingly easy to see some of these species, thanks to the trees’ leafless lower branches. I watched a Blue-headed Vireo roam around his territory, singing in slurred, squeaky phrases, his throat feathers puffed out with the effort. I also saw a pair of Brown Creepers carrying food to their nest, and heard many more of these tiny camouflaged birds whistling their perfectly sweet tune. Beyond the hemlocks, Osprey and Belted Kingfisher made circuits over the water, and a female Common Merganser paddled serenely around the reservoir.
In addition to the birds, I encountered quite a few Red Squirrels, which scurried away at my approach.
Hidden Valley Trail & Indian Pipe Trail
Amount walked: 4.91 miles – 3 hours and 41 minutes
Birds encountered: 62 species (my eBird checklist)
Many folks familiar with the Marilla Reservoir don’t know about the Hidden Valley Trail, a well-named hidden gem right across the road from the reservoir. This trail forms the west side of a loop, the eastern half of which is the scrub-lined gravel road of Indian Pipe Trail.
I started by hiking north on Indian Pipe Trail so I could watch the sun rise in the east and then escape into the cooler woods of Hidden Valley Trail as the heat of the day set in. Here the sheer number of birds was hard to keep track of, especially since I arrived a few minutes before sunrise, the prime time for birdsong. I didn’t have time to stop to see all of the birds, but did manage to get some great views of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Gray Catbirds, Chestnut-sided Warblers, and Indigo Buntings. I ended up encountering eight Mourning Warblers, a usually elusive species that was somehow dirt-common on these trails.
As the Indian Pipe trail dog-legs and levels off, a sign marks the turn west onto Hidden Valley Trail. This trail is more difficult to hike than Indian Pipe, including many stream crossings, rough paths, muddy spots, and fallen branches. As I descended on the narrow path lined mostly with deciduous trees, I startled a Barred Owl, who silently switched perches and stared back at me. Some Ovenbirds and Hermit Thrushes allowed close views. I also saw several Red Efts, which I stepped carefully around; although it is always tempting to get a closer look at them, I didn’t pick them up or flip over the rocks and logs that form their homes. The air in the hemlock forest at the bottom of the trail was filled by the flute-like strains of Swainson’s Thrushes and the twinkling carol of Winter Wrens. Above them, Blackburnian Warblers and Black-throated Green Warblers sang from higher in the conifers.
Blaisdell-Emery Trail
Amount walked: 1.38 miles each way – 2 hours and 28 minutes
Birds encountered: 42 species (my eBird checklist)
This lovely 3.8-mile trail is the newest in the TVTA system. It passes through riparian woods, a few fields, and some scrub and swamp habitat. I had limited time to hike here, so I parked at the south end of the trail near Keystone Powdered Metal Company, walked only a third of the trail, and turned back. A longer walk would probably turn up even more interesting species–just keep in mind that the trail is not a loop!
The swamp and field habitat along this trail allowed me to see some species that I saw on no other trail. The marshy areas produced several Swamp Sparrows. I also saw a few swallows, including a Tree Swallow flying far overhead. At a broad, open powerline cut, electricity crackled overhead. Here a Brown Thrasher whispered its doubled-up song in the early morning. On my way back in the mid-morning, an American Kestrel hunted here, hovering in place overhead to try to spot a tasty morsel.
Aside from birds, I encountered quite a few other interesting species on this trail. At some parts of the trail, a branch of the Tuna Creek is visible, and I saw a very young fawn wobble along to the edge of the water here. I noted that milkweed, a plant necessary for Monarch Butterfly reproduction, thrived at certain spots along the trail. A rabbit fled from me near the power line cut, and a Painted Turtle crossed the path in front of me near Browntown Road.
