Philly's Hidden Natural Jewel
Written: Nov 25 '03
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Pros: Great place to see a wide variety of birds, nicely maintained.
Cons: Close proximity to airport and I-95 make birdwatching difficult at times.
The Bottom Line: John Heinz provides a sparkling place to see various birdlife, in a setting very near and yet far removed from Philly & Chester nearby.
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| martytdx's Full Review: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum |
About a year ago, an old friend of mine who also birds let me in on a little secret. Near the confines of the Philadelphia International Airport, along the I-95 corridor, and nestled among the refineries was a birding site that I HAD to see. I was dubious, even though I had been seeing the signs for years. As it turns out - he was right.
[OVERVIEW]
Created by an act of Congress in 1972, the Refuge sits on the last 200 acres of freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. Further conservation efforts have managed to add several hundred acres of protected land, with the end goal being a solid 1,200 acre refuge for hundreds of bird, reptile, amphibian and mammal species.
The name of John Heinz was added to the park in 1991, at the behest of senator Curt Weldon, in honor of the man who helped save the original park lands from development.
[WHAT TO DO]
The obvious use for the park is for hiking/walking, but many other people use it for the scenery it offers - a true oasis in the are which offers spectacular natural scenery. Mountain biking is allowed in designated areas, as is canoeing in Darby Creek, which runs through the park. The park allows fishing as well, following the standing Pennsylvania state regulations for licensing. Among the fish in the waters of the park are carp, bass, catfish and the occasional tiger musky.
But the biggest draw for most people is the opportunity to get out and enjoy the scenery and wildlife. The large expanses of waterways offer habitat for multiple species of frogs and turtles, and the main lake area is an important migratory habitat for birds - particularly waterfowl.
On a good day, thousands of waterfowl can be seen on the water, feeding and resting for the long journeys ahead. During winter and summer months - in between migrations - the numbers lower but there is still plenty to see on the water and nearby shores.
Even if you aren't a birder, the trails are well-maintained and offer a friendly confines to walk among nature. I don't know the exact length of the trails, although I would put the longest route at about 4.5 miles around the circumference of the main pond area.
The nature center on the property, the award-winning Cusano Environmental Education Center offers treats for visitors and educators alike. Contained in a model for sustainable design, the visitor center is a treat to behold. Built in part with recycled materials, they use conservational approaches to most of the functionality of the building, including energy-efficient lighting, cooling and heat, as well as recycling waste water to flush toilets.
Inside, for the casual visitor, displays and dioramas offer a look into what the park is and what it offers. Helpful and friendly staff man the building most of the day during weekends - you'd have to check during the week, although I would assume that they are there then, as well. They also offer numerous educational activities for schools or groups of children.
Lastly, the Refuge offers numerous free events such as nature hikes and birding trips with a resident expert.
[MY EXPERIENCE]
When my wife and I first arrived at Tinicum/John Heinz, we really didn't know what to expect. Hidden among the interstates and warehouses that surround the airport, the park is a wonderland of nature that I hadn't realized was there. A quick trip to the visitor center gained us a map, a bird list and some other pieces of information, as well as a friendly 'hello' and 'how can I help?' from the volunteer manning the desk. We chatted for a while, and then set up to enjoy ourselves.
I have to say, I was immediately impressed as we moved along the trails. Although a recent heavy rain left some of the trails slightly flooded (this has since been addressed), the hike was wonderful. We wandered along a variety of trails, seeing some interesting things but mostly enjoying the spring sun and the woods all around us. As we reached the pond, however, our casual attitude turned to wonder at the majestic sights in front of us.
Spring migration was in full swing, and we were greeted by hundreds of ducks, geese and other water birds of all shapes and sizes. We were giddy (yes, giddy) as we tried to identify the multitude of birds - many of which we had never seen before. We switched quickly between binoculars and guide book, adding one bird after another to our lists. But the highlight was when a crowd of birds suddenly took flight - amazing on its own - due to the large bald eagle flying overhead, looking for a meal. I had seen them before, but my wife was enthralled as it sailed right above us.
Our love for the park has grown since then, and although we don't see as many new things anymore as we used to, it is still a fun and interesting trip for a Saturday or Sunday morning. Fall brings the northern birds south (such as Snow Geese); spring brings the southern wintering birds back. Even when we don't really see any unique birds, we always have a good time interacting with the friendly faces we see along the trails and watching the sun glint off of the waters in front of us.
[FINAL THOUGHTS]
A true jewel, I'm indebted to my friend for pointing this park out to me. It's nothing fancy - aside from the beautiful visitor center - but it holds a unique beauty built not only of its natural charm, but also of its location in an otherwise suspect area.
The park is close enough to the airport that visitors can stop by for a few minutes of stretching their legs before heading into the city, taking in what it has to offer. But for those of us within reach of its peaceful environs, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum offers a valuable site that so few know is there, waiting for them to see.
[• BIRD LIST •]
This is a partial list of things that I have seen at John Heinz. I have limited it to the more unique/interesting species (rather than pigeons, cardinals, blue jays and crows - all of which are also found there). Check out http://heinz.fws.gov/birdlist.htm
Waterfowl
Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, American Black Duck, Canvasback
Other
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird
Finches & Sparrows
American Tree Sparrow, Chipping, Field, Savannah, White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, Pine Siskin
Songbirds
Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, White- and Red-eyed Vireos
Water Birds
Pied-billed Grebe, Double-Crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, a variety of egrets, American Coot, Laughing, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls
Raptors
Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk,
Broad-winged Hawk
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[For More Information]
http://heinz.fws.gov/
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
International Plaza 2, Suite 104
Philadelphia, PA 19113
Cusano Environmental Education Center: (215) 365-3118
Headquarters:(610) 521-0662
Email: fw5rw_jhtnwr@fws.gov
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Wildlife
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 481
Trusted by: 180 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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