5 places to explore wildlife in the Philadelphia area
If toads aren't your style, wildlife is there for the viewing in other places in and around Philadelphia. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge (8601 Lindbergh Blvd., 215-365-3118, www.fws.gov/heinz) is an important rest stop and feeding site for migrating birds, and home to a breeding pair of bald eagles, whose nest can be seen from one of the refuge's hiking
If toads aren't your style, wildlife is there for the viewing in other places in and around Philadelphia.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge (8601 Lindbergh Blvd., 215-365-3118, www.fws.gov/heinz) is an important rest stop and feeding site for migrating birds, and home to a breeding pair of bald eagles, whose nest can be seen from one of the refuge's hiking trails. There are volunteer opportunities and family-friendly activities scheduled all year round.
In the fall, you can watch the migration of 16 different kinds of birds of prey, such as hawks and eagles, from the observation deck at Fort Washington State Park (500 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, Pa.).
Down the Shore, the Cape May Bird Observatory (701 E. Lake Dr., Cape May Point, N.J., 609-884-2736, www.birdcapemay.org) offers guided birding walks and boat tours.
Island Beach State Park (Seaside Park N.J., 732-793-0506, www.islandbeachnj.org) is home to a population of red foxes and New Jersey's largest osprey colony. You can also swim, scuba dive, or go surf fishing.
Farther from the city, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (1700 Hawk Mountain Rd., Kempton, Pa., 610-756-6961, www.hawkmountain.org) offers "nature's greatest air show" as thousands of migrating hawks, eagles, and falcons pass through every spring and fall, Visits include workshops, lectures, guided walks, and live-animal programs.
- Matt Soniak