Owned by the National Park Service and part of the Appalachian Trail corridor, this open meadow is at the crest of the Kittatinny Ridge. This hawk-watching site requires minimal walking and a chair or blanket may add to your comfort. Most raptors emerge from the northeast. Route 183 traffic is adjacent and audible.

Southbound songbird migrants follow the tree line during September into November. Migration is best during October with high numbers of Winter Wrens and kinglets, followed by an excellent robin and sparrow migration that lasts into November. Migrating flocks of warblers may be observed throughout September and October.

Suggested side trip:
In spring and summer, take a 15-minute walk from the meadow to visit an excellent songbird area. Hike the Appalachian Trail northeast from Route 183. Upon reaching a gravel road leading northeast, listen for the "pleased, pleased, pleased to meet you" song of the Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) -- the only warbler named after Pennsylvania. Other nesting birds include Broad-winged Hawk, numerous Indigo Buntings, and Cedar Waxwings. Hike east for additional songbird habitat.

Wind Factor:
Winds from the west or north provide the best raptor viewing.

Directions:
From Interstate 78 take the Strausstown exit for 183 (old exit 7, new exit 19). Turn left from the ramp onto 183 north. Drive several miles and ascend Blue Mountain. Before the crest, pass a sign on the right "Welcome to State Game Lands." Continue north 0.25 miles to the top and turn left into a small parking area next to a gate. Use extreme caution making this turn -- both traffic behind you and oncoming cars tend to speed. Do not block the gate. If the traffic is heavy, consider turning around past the parking area. Walk past the gate and turn right into a large field.

Parking is also 0.25 miles down on the south side of the ridge at the "Welcome to State Game Lands" sign. Turn at the sign onto the gravel road and drive 0.1 miles to a large parking area. Walk the gravel road uphill through excellent songbird habitat -- a 10-minute walk to the white-blazed Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Follow the A.T. 10 minutes southwest to Route 183.

Caution: This site is partly on Pennsylvania State Game Lands 110 and is used by hunters in the fall and spring. (Peak hunting seasons are October-December all day, and May from sunrise to noon.) During this time, wear 250 square inches of blaze orange on the chest, head, and back. Hunting is not permitted along the Appalachian Trail.

return to map